Finishing matric without a clear, funded path into further study is an incredibly common situation in South Africa, not a personal failure, and it doesn’t mean your options are limited to whatever’s left over after everyone with money has gone first. There are several genuine routes forward — some involve funded study, some involve working straight away, and many people end up combining more than one over time. This page lays them out honestly, side by side, so you can make a decision based on your actual circumstances rather than pressure or panic.
Option 1: NSFAS-Funded Study
NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funds tuition, and in many cases accommodation and living allowances, for eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges based on household income. If your family’s income falls within the NSFAS threshold, this is often the most direct route to funded study, and it’s worth applying even if you’re not certain you’ll qualify — eligibility criteria and thresholds are reviewed periodically, so check the current requirements directly on the official NSFAS website rather than relying on what you may have heard from others. Applications typically open annually with published deadlines, so timing your application correctly matters.
Option 2: Bursaries
Bursaries — funded by government departments, state-owned entities, and private companies — cover study costs, often in exchange for a commitment to work for the funder for a period after you graduate. Bursaries are typically more competitive than NSFAS since funding is limited and tied to specific fields of study, but they’re also often more comprehensive, sometimes covering living costs and guaranteeing a job at the end. Our full bursaries guide covers how to find and apply for bursaries relevant to your intended field of study.
Option 3: Learnerships
Learnerships combine structured, accredited training with practical workplace experience, and unlike university study, they pay you a stipend while you learn rather than requiring you to fund the process. They typically run 12 to 24 months and lead to a registered NQF qualification, making them a genuinely strong option if you want a formal qualification without the upfront funding gap that university or college study requires. Full detail is in our learnerships guide.
Option 4: Going Straight Into Work
If funded study isn’t available to you right now, or you need income immediately, moving straight into entry-level work is a legitimate and common path. It doesn’t close the door on studying later — many people work for a period, save, and pursue further study or a funded learnership once they’re in a more stable position. See Jobs You Can Get Straight After Matric for the specific roles genuinely open to matriculants with no further study.
Option 5: TVET Colleges
TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges offer more affordable, often shorter and more practically focused qualifications than university, in fields like engineering trades, business studies, hospitality, and IT. NSFAS funding is also available for eligible TVET students, meaning this route can be more financially accessible than university even without a bursary. TVET qualifications are often well aligned with direct entry into learnerships and artisan trade pathways as well.
Weighing These Options Against Each Other
There’s no single right answer here — the right combination depends on your household’s financial situation, how urgently you need income, and your own sense of direction. A few honest points worth considering:
- Applying for NSFAS and bursaries costs you nothing but time, so it’s generally worth doing even if you’re also planning to look for work, rather than treating these as mutually exclusive from day one.
- Learnerships offer a rare combination — a funded, paid path to a formal qualification — that’s worth prioritising in your search if you’re unsure between working immediately and waiting for a study opportunity.
- Going straight into work isn’t a “lesser” option. It provides real income now and doesn’t prevent you from studying later, particularly through part-time or distance study options once you’re working.
- Application deadlines matter more than they might feel like they should. NSFAS, bursary, and many learnership applications open and close on fixed annual schedules — missing a deadline can mean waiting a full year for the next opportunity, so it’s worth tracking these dates carefully rather than applying only once you’re ready to start.
If You’re Also Considering Rewriting Matric
If your matric results are limiting which of these paths are open to you, it’s worth weighing up whether a matric rewrite makes sense before committing to a direction — we cover this decision specifically in Matric Rewrite vs Working vs Studying: A Decision Guide.
A Final, Honest Note
Not having money to study straight after matric is an extremely common starting point, not an unusual or shameful one, and it doesn’t determine where you end up. Many people who start in entry-level work or a learnership go on to study further once they’re more financially stable, sometimes years later. Whatever combination of these options you pursue, moving forward with any of them — rather than waiting for a perfect, fully-funded path to appear — tends to serve people better over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for NSFAS and a bursary at the same time?
Generally, yes, though most funders (including NSFAS) require you to disclose other funding you’re receiving or have applied for, and you typically can’t receive full duplicate funding from multiple sources for the same study. Check the specific terms of each application, as rules can vary.
Is it too late to apply for NSFAS or bursaries if matric results are already out?
It depends on the specific funder’s deadlines — some applications open before results are released and close shortly after, while others have later intake windows. Check current deadlines directly rather than assuming you’ve missed the window; some options remain open later in the year than expected.
Is working straight after matric a bad idea if I eventually want a degree?
No — working first doesn’t prevent you from studying later. Many people work to save money and gain stability before pursuing further study, sometimes through part-time or distance learning while still employed, and this is a common and reasonable path rather than a compromise.
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