UWC students preparing for the 2027 academic year can apply for the Sheila Brand Educational Bursary. The current call includes new applications as well as renewal information for existing 2026 bursary holders who will continue studying in 2027.
At a glance
- Host: University of the Western Cape (UWC) Financial Aid Office
- Funding year: 2027
- Application method: Physical hard-copy submission
- Closing date: 30 September 2026
High-value notes
- Applications must be complete and supported by all requested documents.
- New applicants must attach their latest student fee account and an itemised estimate of annual study costs.
- The current UWC notice confirms a 30 September 2026 deadline. The downloadable application form still displays a legacy 2024 date, so applicants should follow the current UWC notice and contact Financial Aid if they need confirmation.
- Completed forms must be handed in physically; the notice does not provide an email or online submission route.
About the bursary
The Sheila Brand Educational Bursary is administered through UWC’s Financial Aid Office. The application form indicates that selection considers financial need, academic merit, leadership and participation in sport, cultural activities or community service, together with the quality of the application.
Costs to include in your application
Applicants must provide an estimated annual cost of study with each component shown separately. UWC specifically requests:
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed books
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Travel
If you plan to use private accommodation, include UWC’s prescribed allowances for private accommodation, meals and travel under the current student funding policy. Listing these costs does not guarantee that every item will be funded; final support is determined through the bursary assessment.
Who should apply?
Applicants should be South African citizens who meet UWC’s requirements and can show both academic potential and financial need. New applicants should be able to provide a current UWC fee account and detailed cost estimate. Existing 2026 Sheila Brand bursary holders who will not graduate in 2026 must follow the renewal instructions in the current notice.
Documents to prepare
- Completed Sheila Brand bursary application form
- Latest student fee account
- Itemised annual cost-of-study estimate
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Current academic results and results from the previous two years, where applicable
- Proof of household income, or the relevant affidavit where a household member is unemployed
- Any additional supporting documents requested on the form
Current 2026 bursary holders who are continuing in 2027 must also submit the affidavit linked in UWC’s notice, their latest academic results and fee account, and a clear indication that they will continue studying beyond 2026.
How to apply
- Open the current UWC bursary notice and download the application form.
- Complete every section of the form.
- Attach the latest fee account, itemised study-cost estimate and all supporting documents.
- Submit the physical hard copy to the UWC Financial Aid Office.
- Hand the application directly to Ms Esther Seleke or Ms Nokuthula Maphosa.
Quick tips for applicants
- Do not combine tuition, living and travel costs into one figure; list each cost separately.
- Check that certifications and affidavits are current and readable.
- Keep a copy of the full application pack and ask for proof of hand-in.
- Submit early enough to correct any missing document before the deadline.
How this opportunity was verified
The application window, hard-copy submission instructions and deadline were checked against UWC’s bursaries and opportunities page dated 25 August 2026. The supporting requirements were checked against the application form linked by UWC.
Closing date: 30 September 2026.