South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) Bursary 2025

If you are passionate about a career in Actuarial Science or a related field, the SAADP Bursary might be just the opportunity you need. This guide will walk you through the SAADP bursary program, exploring its qualification criteria, fields covered, and the application process. Hence, keep reading to learn more about the South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) Bursary 2025.

Overview of SAADP

Founded in 2003, the South African Actuaries Development Program (SAADP) is a non-profit, independent organization. SAADP was started after people realized there weren’t enough Black actuaries in South Africa’s economy. SAADP used to be chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa and has since helped over 200 students graduate in Actuarial Science.

South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) Bursary 2025

The SAADP Bursary is a financial aid program designed to support students pursuing higher education. The bursary program is offering applications for the 2026 academic year, giving eligible students the chance to receive full support. Here’s what you need to know about the South African Actuaries Development Programme (SAADP) Bursary 2025, before submitting your application.

What Does the SAADP Bursary 2025 Cover?

The bursary covers studies in Actuarial Science or related courses at one of SAADP’s partner universities, UP, UCT, or WITS. The bursary can be renewed each year, as long as you are doing well academically and there’s enough funding available. The bursary will cover studies-related costs, including tuition fees, textbook allowance, residence fees, meals, and living allowance.

Moreover, this program also offers psychosocial support through a mentorship system, where senior students provide guidance and social support to help junior students adjust and succeed. Recipients will also benefit from a life skills program that covers things like goal setting, time management, CV writing, and interview tips to help them get ready for the working world.

Recipients will get academic support, like extra tutorials and workshops run by senior students to help with tough topics. Mentorship is also included where top senior student share their knowledge, skills, and experience with the new students. There’s also vacation work offered during the June/July and November/December holidays.

Actuarial seminars are also part of the program, where qualified actuaries and past bursary graduate shares their real-world experience, and students get the chance to connect with alumni. SAADP alumni also run academic workshops to help current students. SAADP alumni share their exam prep tips with current students in special sessions.

Here’s a quick look at how a bursary is awarded:

• Pre-Screening: Your application will be checked to make sure it meets the basics, like being submitted on time, complete with all documents, and meeting the university’s entry requirements.
• Shortlisting: An outside committee reviews the applications and sends a list of shortlisted candidates to SAADP. Only those shortlisted candidates will be contacted, so if you don’t hear back, your application wasn’t successful.
• Submission: Matric student must submit their final results. If you don’t, they will be disqualified from the selection.
• Interview: Shortlisted Matric students will be invited for an interview with the selection committee. SAADP will let current students know the results, and successful applicants will be notified about their interview outcome.

Who Qualifies for the SAADP Bursary?

To be eligible for the bursary, applicants must meet the specific requirements. If any applicant fails to satisfy the criteria, their application will not be considered. The following are the SAADP Bursary eligibility requirements:

Matric/Grade 12

• Applicant must be a South African citizen.
• You need to be Black or of color to apply.
• You should be either in Matric or in your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of study.
• Applicants need to get at least 80% in Matric Mathematics (not Maths Literacy).
• You need to get at least 80% in Physical Science in Matric.
• You need to get at least 80% in English in Matric.
• You need to be studying or planning to study Actuarial Science or a related degree in 2026.
• You need to be studying or have applied to one of the ASSA-accredited universities supported by SAADP: UCT, UP, Wits.
• If you are from a commercial stream, you need to apply to study Actuarial Science at UCT (which accepts students without Physical Science).
• You must have taken or registered for the National Benchmark test (NBT).
• You need internet access, an active email, and a working phone to stay in touch about your application.
• You should show that you have what it takes to do well at university.
• You should be really interested in pursuing Actuarial Science as a career.
• Applicants should come from a financially needy family.

University

• Applicant must be a South African citizen.
• You need to be Black or of color to apply.
• You should be in your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of study.
• You need to be studying or planning to study Actuarial Science or a related degree in 2026.
• You need to be studying or have applied to one of the ASSA-accredited universities supported by SAADP: UCT, UP, Wits.
• You need internet access, an active email, and a working phone to stay in touch about your application.
• You should show that you have what it takes to do well at university.
• You should be really interested in pursuing Actuarial Science as a career.
• Applicants should come from a financially needy family.

How Do I Apply for the SAADP Bursary?

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

• Firstly, download the application form:
  • SAADP Application form (Matric Students)
  • SAADP Application form(University Student).
• After downloading the form, fill it out. Next, prepare clear copies of the relevant documents:
• Matric/Grade 12
  • A certified copy of your ID or birth certificate (both sides if it’s an ID card)
  • A certified copy of your final Grade 10 and Grade 11 reports)
  • Certified copies of your Matric report for terms 1,2, and 3.
  • A certified copy of your final Matric results or NSC certificate (submit when available)
  • An acceptance or provisional admission letter from a partner university (on official letterhead).
  • Two essays on the application form: 1) about yourself, your achievements, leadership, and community work, and 2) five or more reasons why you want to be an actuary.
  • A certified copy of a death certificate or affidavit if one or both parents have passed away.
• University Students:
  • A certified copy of your ID or birth certificate (both sides if it’s an ID card)
  • A certified copy of a death certificate or affidavit if one or both parents have passed away.
  • Full academic transcript from 1st year to now (on official letterhead).
• After completing the form and preparing the documents, submit them to [email protected]. Make sure to add the “SAADP Bursary 2026” in the email subject line.

Closing Date: 31 August 2025

Wrap up

The SAADP Bursary is open for the 2026 academic year, so apply as soon as possible to secure funding for your studies. Make sure to apply before the closing date, or your application will not be accepted.