National Government Social Work Scholarships for South Africans

Scholarships for Social Work

Course(s) Offered: Social Work
Course Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor)
Provider: Department of Social Development
Country to Study in: South Africa

Scholarship Description
The National Department of Social Development is offering the Scholarships for Social Work to the needy and deserving students of South Africa.

The Social Work Scholarship programme is intended to provide financial assistance to deserving students to enable them to complete the Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW). It facilitates access to higher education and training institutions and ensures development of skills, thereby increasing the capacity of social work professionals.

While the programme is open to all eligible students for whom social work is a career of choice, priority will be given to youth between the ages of 18 – 35 years. This is in line with government’s broad goals geared towards youth development and promoting active participation of youth in socio-economic activities. Applications are invited from students who are pursuing or interested in enrolling for a Social Work qualification.

Eligibility
Application for scholarship is open to South African citizens and are:

• Grade 12 learners who meet admission requirements to study for Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) at any South African university. It is therefore the responsibility of students to make applications for admission at various universities of their choice.
• Students currently studying towards BSW degree at any South African university. In order to be considered for allocation of the scholarship, current students must have passed and be progressing to the next level of their studies as per specific requirements of respective universities.
• Students who come from disadvantaged communities.
• Students with financial need based on assessment of financial status of their household.
• Social Auxiliary workers, child and youth care workers and assistant community development practitioners in the employment of Non-Governmental Organisations who are interested in studying BSW degree.

Since the scholarship is exclusively for BSW degree, any student who chooses to change from BSW to any other degree, drops out or deregisters from the degree will lose benefits as outlined in the scholarship contract.

Eligible groups
Citizens of South Africa

Participating Institutions
Any South African university

Fields of study
The Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW)

Number of awards
Not specified

Sponsorship duration
Covers your entire study period

Scholarship benefits
Funds allocated for the Social Work Scholarship pay for (a) registration, (b) tuition, (c) prescribed books, (d) on-campus accommodation, including off campus accommodation premises contracted to the university or privately owned accommodation, (e) meals, and (f) stipends for practical work experience as determined by the university.

Specific details on how to access funds and submission of claims for specified items are outlined in the contract to be signed by successful applicants.

Method of Application
Application for the Social Work Scholarship must be made in the attached application form, which must be fully and correctly completed. The application form is obtainable from www.dsd.gov.za, the Department of Social Work at various universities and Provincial Departments of Social Development. All applications must be submitted to the Provincial Departments of Social Development ONLY as scholarships are allocated according to provincial needs for human resource capacity (see contact details in the 'Student Guide').

It is important for prospective scholarship recipients to submit their applications at their respective Provincial Departments of Social Development where the selection process will be made. A selection panel will assess all the applications received in line with the set requirements and provincial human resource needs. Due to the large number of applications received only successful applicants candidates will be informed in writing about the outcome of selection.

It is important to read the Student Guide and also visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information on how to apply for this scholarship

DEADLINES:
The closing date for all applications is 01 October 2009

PLEASE NOTE:
Social work is a caring and helping profession; therefore young people and students who REALLY want to pursue this noble profession and join the current social work workforce in making a difference in people’s lives, must apply.

If social work is not your area of interest, there are alternatives in government through which your studies can be funded. Other government departments also provide bursaries that are in line with their mandate, for example, National Treasury, Human Settlements, Arts and Culture, Health, Energy and Minerals. Please visit the government website at www.gov.za and peruse each department that might offer what you really need

Application Deadline: 1 October 2009
Open to International Applicants: No(ONLY South Africans)

More Scholarship Information and Application

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