To obtain such a bursary, it is customary for parents to be asked by the school’s bursar to fill in an application form, giving details of their financial circumstances, supported by documentary evidence, including capital assets. The application will be considered by the school in accordance with its bursary policy. The award will often only remain in force until the pupil has sat the next relevant public examination. Most schools will review bursaries annually to ensure that the justification for an award remains. In Britain any award made before GCSE will not necessarily continue to the A-level stage.

Bursaries are similar to “scholarships” or “prizes“, which are based on performance. These awards are generally given for good performance in the exams preceding university or college entrance in which the student achieves grades above the standard entry. These can be awarded by universities or, sometimes, by companies

THINGS TO KEEP IN MY WHEN APPLYING FOR A BURSARY

A lot of students are usually confused when it comes to scholarship or bursary application. When they have answered the most difficult question of where to start, then the other process becomes seamlessly easy for them. Basically that’s why we have decided to include this post to enable you successfully apply for bursaries especially for this year to aid your academic cause. The following are those important things to note before applying for a bursary.

1. Most bursaries will request for your Latest Academic Record duly signed from your school, your ID document, evidence of tertiary application and most importantly an authentication that you were accepted. Similarly, some bursaries will require you to provide another proof of Guardians or Parent’ source of income and residence. After successfully sorting out these documents, then your next step is to ensure you verify your documents. If you don’t know how to, simply visit any commissioner of oath at a post office, bank or police station.
2. Integrity they say is telling myself the truth while honesty is telling the truth to other people. Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth-telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving. Therefore, you must ensure that whatever information you are providing is the truth and nothing but the truth. Fill all blank spaces with correct data. No legacy is so rich as honesty.
3. A whole lot of students apply for bursaries without having any references at all and in other cases have references that can’t be reached. Most times this is the first step to not getting the bursary you have applied for. If you need the bursary you are applying for and you want it, then go ahead and find references with correct contact addresses.
4. A lot of students also don’t have enough writing skills to win their desired bursary which can prove to be a stone in the neck in the long run. Therefore it is highly advisable that you write a highly convincing and motivational cover letter that will make anyone accessing it believe before he begins to even read it. Things such as why you think you should be awarded the bursary especially more than the other several thousand applying, how you can contribute to society when you have finished your program in school and especially how getting the bursary will be a stepping stone to achieving your dreams and changing your future for good.
5. A lot of students apply for bursaries and go to sleep which is very bad. When you apply for any bursary, ensure you regularly and consistently check your Emails and your phone text messages to be sure you have not or have received a message from those assessing your application.
6. Lastly, ensure you always check for bursary deadlines or closing dates so you can know exactly when to apply.

The Wakkerstroom Music Festival is a NPO (Non-Profit Organisation) and a Public Benefit Organisation, whose aim it is to promote awareness of Visual and Performing Arts within rural communities, as well as to raise funds for their Bursary Competition which is held bi-annually.

12 bursaries will be awarded at the 3rd Wakkerstroom Music Festival, to a total value of R160 000. Bursaries will be awarded to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying towards a classical music qualification in one of the following categories: Piano, Strings, Voice, Wind.

The bursaries will be awarded as follows:
*R25 000 for each first prize student in each category
*R10 000 for each second prize student in each category
*R5 000 for each third prize student in each category

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying:

• South African citizen or South African permanent resident
• Between 17 and 25 years old (on 20 March)
• Studying towards a music qualification in one of the four aforementioned categories
• Minors – must have permission from parents/ guardians to enter

HOW TO APPLY

Download and complete the Wakkerstroom Music Festival Bursary Application Form (word doc format) or the Wakkerstroom Music Festival Bursary Application Form (pdf format).
Please include the following items in your application pack:

• ID document (certified copy)
• Recent photograph of the applicant (head and shoulders only)
• Full academic record or proof of registration at school or university (certified copy)
• Curriculum Vitae (explaining your future music career development plans, list of achievements in the past 3 years)
• Reference letter from your music teacher/ professor/ lecturer
• Reference letter from any other musician you know
• Link to 2 recent video recordings by yourself, recorded on YouTube (max 15 minutes)
• Entrance fee proof of payment (banking details can be found on the official “Wakkerstroom Music Festival” website http://wmfestival.co.za/?page_id=442 – in the “WMFBC Adjudication Procedure 2017” document)
• Minors: written permission to enter the competition from parents/ guardians

Complete application forms and supporting documentation must be emailed to: competition@wmfestival.co.za

CLOSING DATE

17 February

CONTACT

For any bursary queries, please contact:
Email: competition@wmfestival.co.za