AWS Bursary Supports South African Students with Tuition, Accommodation and Computer Costs

The AWS Skills Development Bursary supports eligible South African citizens studying full-time at selected South African universities. Administered by StudyTrust, it considers academic merit and financial need. The application deadline has been extended to 16 October 2026, making it important to prepare the required records promptly.

AWS Skills Development Bursary: overview

The award can support tuition, residence or private accommodation, subsistence, stationery, books and a personal computer. These costs are capped, and the public programme page does not provide the rand limits. Applicants should therefore distinguish the listed support areas from an unlimited guarantee to pay every cost.

Study levels and fields

Undergraduate fields include computing and IT, specified engineering disciplines, accounting and finance, Maths/Science education and medicine. Undergraduate support extends from first to final year. Postgraduate eligibility is narrower, covering specified computing, IT and engineering programmes at Honours, postgraduate-diploma and master’s levels. Students with disabilities may be considered across all undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes.

Eligibility and academic requirements

Applicants must be South African citizens with strong academic and leadership potential. The programme page lists at least 65% in Matric Mathematics and English, and separately specifies at least 65% in Physical Science for current Grade 12 learners. Read the subject requirements together rather than omitting one because it appears in a different part of the announcement.

Important clarification about 65%

The official page describes the university average in two different ways: one section says above 65%, while another says 65% and above. Applicants whose average is exactly 65% should seek clarification from StudyTrust rather than assume either acceptance or exclusion. Selection also considers financial need and the relevant programme; meeting a minimum academic threshold does not guarantee funding.

Documents to prepare

StudyTrust’s application guidance requests a certified South African ID, academic records appropriate to your current study stage, household-income evidence and a clear recent photograph. Depending on your situation, records may include Matric results, current university results or Grade 11 and current Grade 12 reports. Check the full document checklist and any address-evidence requirements in the official application guidance.

How to apply for AWS Skills Development Bursary

• Read the AWS programme criteria and StudyTrust’s general application instructions.
• Gather supporting documents before starting the online form.
• Use the official StudyTrust application platform linked below.
• Enter the correct institution, course, academic year and study dates.
• Complete all required fields and upload the requested evidence.
• Review the information extracted from your documents before final submission and retain any confirmation.

Write your own application answers

StudyTrust explicitly requires applicants to write their own personal essays. Its guidance permits AI for spelling or grammar checks, but says AI-written essays will not be considered. Explain your own experience and reasons honestly; do not paste a generated personal story into the application.

Closing date

The extended closing date is 16 October 2026. The programme page does not specify a cutoff time or timezone. The application portal may require JavaScript, so use a current browser and allow time to resolve document-upload issues before the deadline.

Check the information captured by the form

StudyTrust’s process uses uploaded documents and asks applicants to confirm captured information. Compare the captured academic marks, study details and household-income information with your originals. Correct inaccuracies before submitting rather than assuming the system has read every field correctly. Keep the names and dates consistent across your application, and give the exact qualification title. If a field or supporting-document request does not fit your circumstances, ask StudyTrust for guidance instead of inventing an answer. The general application contact is apply@studytrust.org.za.

AWS Skills Development Bursary: frequently asked questions

Is this the Amazon Recruitment Bursary? No. This article concerns the separately listed AWS Skills Development Bursary.

Does it cover a computer? A personal computer is among the listed capped support costs.

Can non-citizens apply? The programme states South African citizenship is required.

Should I pay an intermediary? StudyTrust says its bursaries are never for sale and applications are handled directly.

AWS Skills Development Bursary: final checklist

Check your field, study level, subject results and financial evidence carefully. Use the official platform and seek clarification on the inconsistent university-average wording if it affects your eligibility.

Official application

Information checked on 15 October 2026. Reign Gigs is an independent opportunity-information website and does not recruit or select applicants for this programme. Submit personal documents only through the official application route.

Browse more Reign Gigs opportunities to compare available routes.