UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition South Africa 2025

If you are a student in South Africa planning to study at the University of the Free State (UFS), the Star of Stars Competition is a great opportunity to secure a bursary. Not only does it provide financial support for your studies, but finalists also get personal development support, academic advice, and ongoing mentorship to help you succeed both at university and beyond. The bursary program is offering applications for the 2025 academic year, so make sure not to miss this opportunity to secure financial support for your studies.

This guide will walk you through the UFS bursary, exploring its qualification criteria, fields and expenses covered, as well as the application process. Therefore, keep reading to learn more about the UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition South Africa 2025.

Overview of UFS

The University of Free State started way back in 1904 as part of Grey College. Then, in 1950, it became its own university called the University of the Orange Free State and was mainly Afrikaans-speaking. It wasn’t until 2001 that it got its current name, the University of the Free State.

UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition South Africa 2025

The UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition is a financial aid program initiated by the University of Free State, aimed at supporting students pursuing higher education. UFS is calling on students from the Free State to apply for the Star of Stars Competition for the 2026 academic year. Here’s what you need to know about the UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition South Africa 2025, before submitting your application.

What Fields and Expenses are Covered by the UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition?

The competition offers a bursary to study at UFS in 2026, no matter which field you choose. Selection will be based on three key areas: how well student perform academically, their leadership accomplishments, and their involvement in the community. Winners will get prize money, opportunities for personal growth, and valuable exposure.

By 30 September 2025, top finalists will be announced and prizes will be handed over to the eligible students at their respective schools. Finalists are required to score at least 35 APS in their final Matric results. The top 10 winners will be revealed soon after the release of Grade 12 final exam results in January 2026.

These finalists will join the Star of Stars cohort during an induction camp held at a private camp reserve. Finalists will get support for growth, academic guidance, and mentorship to help them succeed at university and after.

Winners will get prize money and ongoing mentorship to support them throughout their time at university. The bursary will be paid out in 2026 after the student completes registration at UFS.

Who Qualifies for the UFS Bursary?

Applicants must meet the bursary requirements before applying. If any applicant fails to satisfy the requirements, their application will not be considered. The following are the UFS Bursary eligibility requirements:

• You need to be a Matric student in the 2025 academic year.
• You must live in one of these five districts in the Free State province: Fezila Dabi, Lejweleputswa, Motheo, Thabo Mofutsanyana, or Xhariep.
• Applicants need to be attending a Quintile 1, 2, or 3 school in the Free State, which includes Dinaledi schools, township schools, or rural schools, and these qualities are classified as no-fee schools.
• Applicants must possess an excellent academic background.
• You must have applied to study at the University of the Free State for the 2026 academic year before the competition’s closing date.
• You need to read and agree to all the competition’s terms and conditions listed on the application form.

How Do I Apply for the UFS Bursary Program?

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

• Firstly, download the UFS Bursary application form. Fill out the form completely without leaving any sections blank.

(The application form needs to be signed and stamped by your school principal to verify that all the information is correct.)

• After completing the form, prepare clear copies of the documents listed below:
  • Certified copy of ID document.
  • Certified copy of Grade 11 final results.
  • Certified copy of Matric results (March).
  • Certified copy of Matric results (June).
  • Include your Grade 11 and Matric achievements, like letters, certificates, or any other proof of provincial and national awards. Make sure to clearly separate what you achieved in Grade 11 from what you earned in Matric.
  • Write a motivational letter around 500 words, explaining why you should be selected for the bursary competition.
• After completing the form and preparing the documents, submit them in one of the following ways:
  • Post:
    • Star of Stars
    • Attention: Director
    • Student Recruitment Services
    • PO BOX 339
    • Bloemfontein
    • 9300
• Hand Delivery:
  • • Student Recruitment Services
    • Wekkie Saayman Building
    • ℅ Rector and Graduandi Avenue
    • UFS Campus
    • Bloemfontein

Closing Date: 31 August 2025

Contact Details

If you have any questions about the bursary program, you can reach out to UFS directly. Here’s how you can reach out to them:

• Contact Person: Teli Mothabeng
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone Number: 051 501 3757 / 051 401 3000

Wrap Up

In conclusion, the UFS Bursary is open for the 2026 academic year, so make sure to apply as soon as possible to secure funding for your studies. You can apply by submitting a completed form and relevant documents either by post or manually. Make sure to apply before the closing date, or your application will not be considered.