The Gauteng City Region Academy GCRA bursaries 2023 is a monetary award made by Gauteng City Region Academy, financial assistance offered to students who want to continue their education but lack the resources to cover the cost of study. It is usually awarded to enable a student to attend school, university or college when they might not be able to, otherwise.
The GCRA bursary programme is open to all qualifying youth, with particular preference given to youth from Gauteng, who wish to study for an undergraduate and/or post-graduate programme at an accredited and registered Post School Education and Training institution in South Africa. The bursary covers the full cost of study, with conditions, as stipulated in the bursary contract.
GCRA Bursary Information and Latest News
Find all the information and latest news related to GCRA Bursary below:
GCRA Bursary Types
Bursaries cover amongst others, tuition fees, books accommodation and meals. Learners who receive bursaries will be eligible for internship opportunities within the Gauteng Provincial Government and other strategic partners in the province. The GCRA Bursary Types includes
- New Intake – if you applying to GCRA for the first time
- Renewal – if you were funded by GCRA in the previous year.
- Reinstatement – if your bursary was suspended and you have met the conditions to have it reinstated
- Top Achievers – If you are a top Achiever in Gauteng Province
- Top 3 Achiever in a no fee-paying school
- Top 3 in LSEN Schools
- MEC/HOD Discretion – If the MEC/HOD has told you to apply for a bursary
- Veteran Discretion – If you are a child of a Military Veteran
- Financial Assistance – If you have finance, but require assistance
- Top Ups – if you have an existing bursary and need additional funds to Top Up
GCRA Bursary Requirements and Eligibility
To be selected for the bursary award, you must fulfill the eligibility criteria. Since there are a limited number of bursaries on offer, GCRA cannot award them to everyone who’s applying. The criteria are in place to select the appropriate candidates. Applicants that do not meet all of the requirements will not be considered. Therefore, always cross-check before applying.
The eligibility requirements for Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary 2022 are:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must reside within the Gauteng province
- Must be between the age of 18 to 35 at the time of applying
- Must have completed Matriculation
- Students on an undergraduate programme must be either studying or have registered themselves to study at a PSET (Post School Education and Training) that’s registered and accredited institution
- Postgrad students must be either studying or have registered themselves to study at a tertiary institution of higher learning towards a postgraduate qualification
- Must have a strong academic record
Not everyone fulfilling the above criteria will be selected. The applicants who meet the following criteria will get preference over others and will automatically be selected:
- Top achiever at their school in Gauteng
- Belong to the top three learners if studying at a no-fee paying school in Gauteng
- Belong to the top three learners if studying at an LSEN (Learners with Special Education Needs) government school in Gauteng
GCRA Bursary Policy
Beneficiaries must meet the minimum admission requirements for entry into FET college or higher education institutions in Gauteng province. The bursaries are targeted at matriculants from non-fee paying schools within Gauteng.
To secure a GCRA bursary you must meet the following requirements and policies set by GCRA;
- You must reside within the Gauteng province.
- You must have completed Matric in Gauteng.
- For Undergraduate students: One must be studying or have been accepted to study towards an undergraduate qualification at an accredited PSET institution (Post School Education and Training)
GCRA Bursary Contract
Where can I get the GCRA bursary contract and other terms and conditions?
The GCRA Bursary Contract will be available online. You can decline the bursary later when you feel that you do not agree with the Terms and conditions of the contract.
GCRA Bursaries Website
The GCRA Website is an online information page of the Gauteng City-Region Academy. Access the Gauteng City Region Academy GCRA official Website for more details on the Gauteng City Region Academy’s latest news and updates. Visit the GCRA website Here: https://gcrabursary.gauteng.gov.za/
GCRA Postgraduate Bursary
The GCRA bursary provides funding for Undergraduate and Postgraduate qualifications, in any field of study.
GCRA Bursary Link
Find more details on GCRA Bursary application, Check Application Link Address here: https://gcrabursary.gauteng.gov.za/
GCRA Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am unable to access the GCRA portal?
- Check your internet connection and try again or use a different browser, i.e. Google Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer.
Which Bursary Type to choose?
- New Intake – if you applying to GCRA for the first time
- Renewal – if you were funded by GCRA in the previous year.
- Reinstatement – if your bursary was suspended and you have met the conditions to have it reinstated
- Top Achievers – If you are a top Achiever in Gauteng Province
- Top 3 Achiever in a no fee-paying school
- Top 3 in LSEN Schools
- MEC/HOD Discretion – If the MEC/HOD has told you to apply for a bursary
- Veteran Discretion – If you are a child of a Military Veteran
- Financial Assistance – If you have finance, but require assistance
- Top Ups – if you have an existing bursary and need additional funds to Top Up
What if I forget my login credentials?
- You should write down your login credentials when you receive an SMS confirming that you have been registered successfully on the system.
- If you capture your password incorrectly 5 times, your account will be locked, it is wise to use “Forgot Password” and you will be directed to reset your password.
How do I upload documents?
- As you capture your details on the system, Save what has been captured and move to Next, until you see where the documents are loaded
- Make sure that your documents are labeled and saved correctly, e.g. ID Copy, Matric Results, Motivation, Academic Transcript. Your documents need to be individually saved in PDF format (Adobe Acrobat). Each document/File size may not exceed 2 megabytes (MB).
Can I update documents that I have already loaded on the system? I.e. instead of matric results, I attached proof of residence
- Yes, once you have applied, you can always go back and upload missing documents or relevant documents. Note that there will be a closing date for this, check your “Application Status on the GCRA Bursary Application portal, your email, or SMS frequently.
After creating my profile can I still update my details, can I still add or remove the information I provided?
- No, please make sure that you capture the correct information before you press the APPLY button.
What if I was funded by GCRA and I need to do a Postgraduate Degree? Do I start a new application or it is going to be treated as a renewal?
- Yes, you need to apply again as this is a new application for a different qualification. Your details may still be on the system though, but you will need to update them.
What should I do if there is no option to upload an academic transcript?
- There is a page where documents are uploaded, see Screenshots on the Application User Guide. Check for different options for documents to be uploaded.
What should I do if my ID number is not accepted on the portal?
- Check if you captured the ID number correctly because the system validates IDs. If still not successful, then there is a problem with your ID number, you are either not a SA citizen or there is a problem that will require Home Affairs intervention.
What is the normal update period on the approval of the bursary by GCRA?
- Give it three to four weeks. The application goes through various internal processes, but outcomes should be communicated within three to four weeks.
Which document should I upload if I have upgraded my matric marks?
- Upload both documents, the first and the upgraded document.
Do I need to create a new application if I have completed one year of study, but take a year off and want to return to my studies at a later time?
- Yes, you need to, because your application would not have been active for that particular year you were not studying or funded.
Where can I get the bursary contract and other terms and conditions?
- These will be available online. You can decline the bursary later when you feel that you do not agree with the Terms and conditions of the contract.
What does the Bursary cover?
- Tuition as prescribed by the Higher Education and Training Institution excluding (clubs, gym-related fees)
- Residence Fees – Catering residences capped at R65 000 or as decided by the Bursary Committee
- Off-Campus and Private Accommodation capped at R47 000 or as decided by the Bursary Committee
- Laptop and Books – proof of purchase required, e.g. receipts to be submitted to GCRA
- Living Allowance for students staying in Self-Catering and Off-campus residences will be paid directly into students’ accounts or through institutions where there are Service Level Agreements
- For Post-Graduate applicants, refer to the Contract Addendum for further Terms and Conditions and funding covered.
What if I require partial funding, i.e. I have another sponsor paying for part of my studies?
- GCRA does fund or part-fund to top-up your bursary. Please indicate so on the application process
What if my application was declined, can I appeal?
- Yes, please send your appeal to: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za
Does GCRA pay the bursary funds into my student bank account?
- No, the funds are paid to the Institutions and they are administered as per the agreed terms. Some funds, such as laptop and book allowances may be paid directly to your account, but proof of purchase must be submitted to GCRA.
Only living allowances will be paid to students’ accounts.
What if I require assistive devices for my studies, will GCRA cover these?
- Yes, please send your request to gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za. The Bursary Committee will review and decide on this.
If I am one of the Top Achievers or Top Three from no-fee paying schools, matriculated years back and was funded by GCRA, but now want to pursue postgraduate studies, do I automatically qualify?
- No, you need to apply for funding as this is a new qualification.
