Boston College is a private higher education institution in South Africa that offers a range of accredited qualifications in various fields such as business, media, IT, and social sciences1. If you are interested in studying at Boston College, you may be wondering if they offer any financial assistance to students who need it. The answer is yes, they do!
What are bursaries and how do they work?
Bursaries are grants that are given to students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need. Unlike loans, bursaries do not have to be repaid. However, they may have certain conditions attached to them, such as maintaining a certain academic average or completing a service obligation after graduation2.
Boston College offers bursaries through its Bursary Committee, which is composed of staff members and external donors. The committee manages and awards bursaries for Boston College on a semester basis, following May and November applications2.
Who can apply for bursaries and what are the requirements?
Bursaries are available for both current and prospective students of Boston College who have experienced sudden financial difficulties and are therefore unable to graduate or register for their studies23.
To apply for a bursary, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
- You must have applied for admission or be registered at any Boston Media House or Boston City Campus
- You must have an average of 60% or higher in your previous academic year
- You must provide proof of your household income and expenses
- You must submit a motivation letter explaining why you need the bursary and how it will benefit you
- You must agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the bursary contract23
How to apply for bursaries and what is the process?
To apply for a bursary, you need to complete an online application form on the Boston College website2. You also need to attach the following documents:
- A certified copy of your ID document
- A certified copy of your latest academic transcript or matric certificate
- A certified copy of your parents’ or guardians’ ID documents (if applicable)
- A certified copy of your parents’ or guardians’ payslips or proof of income (if applicable)
- A detailed breakdown of your household income and expenses
- A motivation letter explaining why you need the bursary and how it will benefit you
You can submit your application online or deliver it by hand to any Boston Media House or Boston City Campus support centre2. The deadline for applications is 30 May for Semester 2 studies and 30 November for Semester 1 studies3.
The Bursary Committee will review all applications and select the recipients based on their academic merit and financial need. The committee will notify successful applicants by email within four weeks after the closing date2.
Successful applicants will have to sign a contract agreeing to the terms and conditions of the bursary. These include maintaining a minimum average of 60%, attending all classes regularly, participating in community service activities organized by Boston College, submitting progress reports every semester, acknowledging Boston College as their sponsor in any public platform, and repaying the full amount of the bursary if they fail to comply with any of this conditions2.
What does the bursary cover?
The bursary covers tuition fees and textbooks only. It does not cover external examination fees, stationery, residence fees or travel costs2.
The amount of the bursary varies depending on each student’s situation and needs. The maximum amount that can be awarded per student per semester is R25 0003.
The bursary is valid for one semester only. Students who wish to continue receiving financial assistance from Boston College must reapply every semester with updated documents and motivation letters2.
Conclusion
Boston College offers bursaries to students who demonstrate academic merit and financial need. Bursaries are grants that do not have to be repaid but have certain conditions attached to them. To apply for a bursary, students must complete an online application form with supporting documents before 30 May or 30 November each year. Bursaries cover tuition fees and textbooks only.