LegalWise Bursary South Africa 2025

The LegalWise Bursary gives South African students a chance to study in fields that match LegalWise’s hiring needs. This guide will walk you through the bursary program in detail, exploring its qualification requirements, fields, and expenses covered, as well as the application process. Hence, keep reading to gain a comprehensive understanding of LegalWise Bursary South Africa 2025.

Overview of LegalWise

Zack Crafford, who was working for Legal Aid at the time, founded LegalWise in 1984. The company’s goal is to ensure affordable, equal, and fair access to justice and legal assistance for South Africans. LegalWise offers support for criminal, civil, and labor-related cases, helping individuals access their basic legal rights.

The company provides three membership options – Gold, GoldPlus, and Platinum –each offering maximum coverage for legal cases. With 80 branches, LegalWise currently employs between 500 and 1000 staff members.

LegalWise Bursary South Africa 2025

The LegalWise Bursary is a financial aid program designed to support eligible students pursuing higher education in relevant fields. The bursary helps students with both financial support and mentorship, allowing them to study in fields where LegalWise is looking to recruit. Here’s what you need to know about the LegalWise Bursary South Africa 2025 before submitting your application:

What Does LegalWise Bursary Program Cover?

The bursary is available to LegalWise members or their children (biological, adopted, or under legal guardianship) who are pursuing studies in the qualifications listed below:

• Accounting (BCom)
• Management (BCom)
• Law (BA / BCom / LLB)
• Human Resource Management (BCom)
• Industrial Psychology (BCom)
• Information Science (BIS)
• Informatics (BCom / BSc)

The bursary program will partly cover study expenses, including annual registration and tuition fees, up to R44,000 per year. Keep in mind that this bursary does not cover any unpaid student debt or failed subjects.

The bursary payment will depend on the student achieving good academic results and submitting their results and accounts to the Bursary Administrator on time. Bursaries can be renewed each year if the student meets three conditions:

• Following the bursary agreement
• Maintaining good academic performance
• Completing vacation work

Bursary recipients must finish their studies within the minimum number of years set by the university. Bursary recipients must complete 5 weeks of paid vacation work at a nearby LegalWise branch each year – 2 weeks during the June/July holidays and three weeks during the December holidays. Students studying for a BCom degree (Accounting, Human Resource, Industrial Psychology, or Management), Informatics, or Information Science must do paid vacation work and service obligation at the LegalWise Roodepoort branch.

If students are not living in the area, they will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation. After graduating, students must fulfill their in-house survival obligation, which requires 6 months of paid service for each year of bursary funding they received. Shortlisted candidates will be notified and must attend an interview at the closest LegalWise branch.

Who Qualifies for the LegalWise Bursary?

Satisfying the bursary eligibility requirements is a must. If any applicant fails to satisfy the requirements, their application will not be considered. The following are the LegalWise Bursary eligibility requirements:

• Applicant must be a LegalWise member or the child of a LegalWise member (biological, adopted, or under legal guardianship).
• The LegalWise member must be fully paid up for at least 2 years before applying and must stay a member throughout the bursary.
• Applicant must have finished Matric.
• You must be studying full-time for one of the qualifications listed in the above section (part-time, distance, or correspondence students will not receive funding).
• You must be starting your second year or higher in 2025 (1st year students will not be funded).
• Applicant must be enrolled at one of the approved tertiary institutions listed below:
  • Rhodes University
  • University of Johannesburg
  • University of Witwatersrand
  • University of Pretoria
  • University of Cape Town
  • University of the Western Cape
  • University of Stellenbosch
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • University of Limpopo
  • University of Fort Hare
  • University of Free State
  • North West University (Mafikeng or Potchefstroom campus)
  • Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 60% or a “C” symbol from the previous year of study.
• You must be fluent in English and one other South African language (
• You must have a positive attitude, determination, commitment, teamwork skills, initiative, and good communication and interpersonal skills.

How Do I Qualify for the LegalWise Bursary Program?

Here’s how you can apply for the bursary program:

• The first step is to download the LegalWise bursary application form. Fill out the form.
• After filling it out, prepare clear copies of the following documents:
  • Certified copy of ID documents.
  • Certified copy of Matric certificate.
  • A passport-sized color photo must be attached to the application form.
  • The most recent tertiary academic transcript, including the June 2024 exam results (certified copy).
  • Proof of university registration for an approved degree, on official university letterhead.
  • The latest student account, on university letterhead.
  • A motivational letter of a maximum of 750 words about yourself and why you deserve the bursary.
  • A letter of recommendation from a parent, legal guardian, or friend (optional).
  • Proof of LegalWise membership (copy of membership number or card).
  • A certified copy of the LegalWise members’ ID documents is needed.
  • Proof of relation to the LegalWise member:
  • Membership card, if you are a member.
  • Birth Certificate, if you are a biological child.
  • Court Guardianship, if adopted or under guardianship.
  • Marriage certificate, if married to a member.
  • Proof of income from parent, guardian, or spouse:
  • The latest financial statement, or sworn affidavit (if self-employed)
  • The latest payslip if employed
  • Affidavit, if unemployed
  • Payslip from guardian, if living with them
  • SASSA slip, if applicable
  • Death certificate, if deceased
• After preparing the documents and completing the form, submit them in one of the following ways:
  • Email: Submit them via email to [email protected].
  • Fax: 011 670 4557
  • Post: Submit the documents and form via post:
    • External Bursary Department
    • c/o LegalWise
    • P O BOX 1524
    • Florida
    • 1709
  • You can also personally hand over the form and documents to the nearest LegalWise branch.

(Do not submit original documents as they will not be returned. Only certified copies are accepted, certified at SAPS or the SA Post Office.)

Closing Date: 30 September 2024

Ending Lines

To sum up, the LegalWise Bursary program is open for the 2025 academic year, so apply as soon as possible to secure funding. Apply before the deadline, or your application will not be considered.