As education costs rise, it becomes increasingly difficult for students from low-income communities to continue their education. For them, bursaries are an invaluable financial resource that can help them complete higher education and improve their standard of living.
In South Africa, students can apply for government and private bursaries, which typically require demonstrating academic excellence. The SIOC Community Development Trust SIOC-CDT bursary is one such private option.
This article provides details on the SIOC bursary, including eligibility, fields of study, and the application process.
Table of Contents
What is the SIOC Bursary?
Sishen Iron Ore Company Proprietary Limited (SIOC) is a company in the Anglo American group. It is the leading supplier of iron ore to steel companies worldwide.
The SIOC bursary is awarded by the Sishen Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT), which was founded to develop the communities surrounding the mining operations. The bursary provides an opportunity to deserving candidates from the Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana, Joe Morolong, Tsantsabane, and Thabazimbi communities.
The bursary helps cover tuition, accommodation, and study materials for various advanced education fields. Additionally, the SIOC bursary also provides a monthly stipend for living expenses.
What are the Fields Covered by the SIOC-CDT Bursary?
The benefit of applying for the SICO-CDT bursary is that it is not limited to applicants studying in core mining fields. The bursary can be used to study a range of programmes, helping youth become independent and financially secure.
The bursary is available to undergraduate and postgraduate candidates who require financial assistance to complete their studies in public higher education institutions. It is offered to undergraduate candidates in preference.
The table below lists the fields covered by the SIOC bursary and the specialisations available.
| Qualification | Specialisation |
| Agriculture | Veterinary Science Crops and Livestock Production Environmental Studies Agricultural Economics Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Food Technology |
| Health and Clinical Related Sciences | MBChB Pharmacy Dentistry Advanced EMS Nursing Chemical, Biological, Medical Lab Sciences Biochemistry |
| Education | BEd. FET Mathematics BEd. FET Physical Science BEd. Natural Sciences Economic and Management Science BEd. Foundation Phase BEd. Language BEd. Special Needs |
| Law | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
| Tourism | Hospitality Management Arts and Culture Heritage Ecotourism Management |
| Business Management and Economics | Accounting Economics Auditing and Tax Actuarial Science Statistics and Mathematics Project Management |
| Engineering and Sciences | Quantity Surveying Civil Engineering Architecture Geology Electrical Engineering Town Planning Environmental Health |
| Information Technology | Computer Sciences and Communication Software Development Data Science/Analytics Web Design and Development |
What are the Expenses Covered by the SIOC-CDT Bursary?
The SIOC bursary is awarded to high-performing students from communities surrounding the SIOC mining operations. It helps cover tuition and living expenses for students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in the programmes listed above.
The bursary helps cover education-related and living expenses, so students are not financially constrained in pursuing higher education. The SIOC Community Development Trust bursary covers the following expenses for selected beneficiaries:
- Registration and tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Prescribed study material
- Laptop
- Monthly stipend to cover living and personal expenses
- Assistive devices for those with disabilities
SIOC-CDT Bursary Eligibility Requirements
Bursaries like this one are highly sought after because they do not limit the field of study. Additionally, they help to cover all costs for the duration of the programme. Because hundreds of applicants apply for the SIOC bursary, it follows strict criteria to ensure that the most deserving students are awarded the bursary.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for the SIOC bursary.
- South African nationals residing in and/or originating from SIOC-CDT beneficiary communities
- Applicant must be under 35 years of age on the closing date of the application.
- They should be accepted or provisionally accepted at a relevant public higher education Institution for the 2025 academic year;
- Can demonstrate financial need to fund their undergraduate or postgraduate study.
- The combined household annual income should be less than R600,000.
What are the Documents Required for the SIOC-CDT Bursary?
When students submit their applications, they must provide correct and complete details. The bursary committee needs to verify this information further; students must submit certified copies as proof.
When students have a list of documents for the bursary application, it is easy for them to gather and submit them.
These are the required documents that must be submitted along with the bursary application:
- A certified copy of the South African ID
- A certified copy of the latest academic results (Grade 12 June results OR Grade 12 Prelims results, University 1st semester results OR transcript of the year-end results if admission is for the 2nd year of studies)
- A certified copy of the final NSC result, if completed before 2024
- Proof of acceptance, provisional acceptance, or proof of application at a recognised higher public education institution (University/TVET/FET College)
- Recent proof of residence (not older than three months)
- Proof of income of parent or guardian – latest payslip, certified declaration of unemployment (not older than three months), an affidavit confirming you do not have parents/guardians or an SASSA Grant recipient certificate
- Medical certificate confirming the type of disability (if applicable)
- Bank statement from the past three months.
What is the SIOC-CDT Bursary Application Process?
This bursary can help ease the financial burden of many deserving candidates. However, to be considered for the SIOC bursary, students must submit their application and required documents by the deadline. This process can be completed online or offline, making it convenient for candidates.
1. SIOC Bursary Online Application
Students who wish to apply online can view the online application form here.
2. SIOC Bursary Offline Application
SIOC also allows students to hand-deliver or post their bursary application forms. The offline application must be printed and filled out by hand. These applications must be submitted to one of the following addresses:
| SIOC-CDT OFFICE PARK Corner Hendrick Van Eck and Ian Fleming Road, Kathu 8446 | THABAZIMBI HUB 11 Jourdan Street, Mollies Building, Thabazimbi 0380 |
If using the offline application, it is the candidate’s responsibility for ensuring the application reaches the SIOC office before the closing date. Applications received after will not be considered.
What is the SIOC-CDT Bursary Closing Date?
The SIOC-CDT Bursary application for 2026 is now closed. In case you missed it, you can check for other bursaries or wait until next year. Students must note the bursary application deadline and keep a checklist of the required documents. This can help them process the application efficiently without missing any critical documents.
If documents are missing or if the application information is found to be incomplete or incorrect, the bursary request could be cancelled. Students should apply well in advance to avoid panic as the deadline approaches.
What are the Contact Details for the SIOC-CDT Bursary?
A bursary application can be lengthy and detail-oriented, and students want to avoid making mistakes. If students encounter any issues with the online application, they can watch the tutorial video SIOC created. The link is available on the online application form.
Students can also contact the SIOC Community Development Trust bursary directly for guidance.
- Email: siocbursary@duxpd.co.za
- WhatsApp: 060 656 130
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Conclusion
A bursary can provide significant financial assistance to deserving students. The SIOC bursary helps to uplift the youth from beneficiary communities. Higher education can lead to a stable, well-respected career and financial independence.
To be considered for this prestigious bursary, candidates must fill out the application form and submit copies of all the relevant documents before the deadline.
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for the SIOC Bursary?
This bursary is for South African nationals from select communities under 35 years old, accepted or provisionally accepted at a public higher education institution. They should also have a combined household income of less than R600,000.
What fields of study are covered by the SIOC Bursary?
The SIOC Community Development Trust’s SIOC CDT bursary covers a wide range of fields, including Agriculture, Health Sciences, Education, Law, Business Management, Engineering, and Information Technology.
How can I apply for the SIOC Bursary?
Applications can be submitted online through the SIOC website or offline by hand-delivering or posting the completed forms to designated SIOC offices.
Can I apply for the bursary if I am already studying?
Yes, the SIOC Bursary is available for undergraduate and postgraduate students who meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate financial need.
What expenses does the SIOC Bursary cover?
The SIOC Bursary provides comprehensive financial support, which may include tuition fees, accommodation, prescribed textbooks, meals, and a monthly allowance. The exact coverage depends on the student’s needs and the approved bursary package.
