Bursary Application Submissions – Combined “One PDF” Pack

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Many bursaries accept email applications — and many applicants get rejected because attachments are messy, missing, too large, or unreadable. This guide gives you a clean “One PDF” pack system that works on a phone.

At a glance

  • Best goal: 1 PDF under 5–10 MB (unless the advert allows more)
  • Best order: Checklist → Form → ID → Results → Proofs → Motivation → CV → References
  • Best filename: SURNAME-Initial_BursaryName_2026.pdf

The ideal document order

This should be informed and guided by particular requirements of the bursary being applied for.

  1. Application form (if required)
  2. Motivation letter
  3. CV (1 page)
  4. ID (certified if required)
  5. Results/transcript
  6. Proof of registration/acceptance
  7. Proof of income/unemployment (if required)
  8. Proof of address (if required)
  9. Reference letters (if required)

How to scan cleanly (phone tips)

  • Use bright light and a flat surface
  • Make sure text is sharp (zoom in and check before saving)
  • Avoid dark shadows across the page
  • Save in black-and-white or “document” mode if available

Combine files into one PDF

Option A (phone): Use a scanning app that can add multiple pages and export as one PDF.

Option B (laptop): Export each document as PDF, then combine them into one file.

Compress without destroying quality

  • Prefer “medium” compression first
  • If text becomes blurry, undo and compress less
  • Remove duplicate pages

Closing date

Do your PDF pack before you start the email submission, so you don’t miss the deadline due to attachment errors.

How to submit by email – typical wording (copy-paste)

Subject: [Bursary Name] Application – [Full Name] – [ID/Student No if required]

Dear [Bursary Office/Selection Committee],

Please find attached my application for the [Bursary Name] for the 2026 academic year.
Attached: 1 PDF pack titled [filename].

Kind regards,
[Full Name]
[Phone number]

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Sending 10 separate attachments with random names
  • Submitting a 25MB file when the advert limits size
  • Uploading photos instead of readable scans
  • Forgetting the required subject line

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