Closing date: 23 October 2026 (a Friday). Today is Sunday 18 October, so you have five days. Read the sections below that apply to you and start gathering documents now.
Quick Access: Direct Application Link
Official 2027 application form (PDF):
👉 https://www.uj.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/uj_reatile_foundation_trust_applicationform_2027.pdf
Submit your completed form and documents by email to:
📧 [email protected]
Email subject line: Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary 2027
Questions: Ms Emily Faro, 010 593 2415
There is no online portal for this bursary. You download the form, complete it, attach your documents and email everything in one message.
Table of Contents
- About the Reatile Foundation Trust
- About the bursary programme
- Fields of study covered
- What the bursary pays for
- Full eligibility criteria, explained
- Compulsory documents, explained
- A five-day plan to meet the deadline
- How to complete the application form
- How to write your motivational letter (with a template)
- How to prepare your CV
- Proving financial need
- Sending your application
- Selection process and timeline
- If you are successful
- If you are unsuccessful: other options
- Mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Final checklist
1. About the Reatile Foundation Trust
The Reatile Foundation Trust is the social investment arm of the Reatile Group. The Reatile Group is a black-owned investment holding company, founded in 2003, with interests in the energy and industrial sectors. The Trust exists to support socio-economic development and to improve life for disadvantaged communities across South Africa.
Its work focuses on education, community development and social upliftment. This includes tertiary bursaries for university students, school scholarships for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, and support for non-profit organisations working to improve community welfare.
Earlier versions of the application form describe the Trust as a registered non-profit organisation and say its aims include the upliftment of the African child. This shows that the bursary is part of a wider commitment to education, not a one-off gesture.
The Trust has supported UJ students in fields such as Engineering, Accounting and Environmental Studies. That history matters for applicants because it shows the Trust funds students for a purpose: to produce skilled graduates in areas the country needs.
2. About the Bursary Programme
The bursary is for the 2027 academic year. It is a partnership with the University of Johannesburg and applies to undergraduate studies at UJ.
Three features make it different from many other bursaries:
- It is for continuing students. You must already be studying at UJ and be moving into your 2nd, 3rd or 4th year. First-year students and school leavers cannot apply.
- It is performance-linked. You need a 65% average from 2026 to apply, and failed subjects at your own cost once you are funded.
- It is application-by-email. There is no portal, so how neatly you package your email matters.
Earlier forms also state that an application does not automatically result in a bursary, and that the Trust awards bursaries at its own discretion. Meeting the criteria makes you eligible, but it does not guarantee a place. Check the 2027 form for the exact declarations you must sign, as these can change between years.
3. Fields of Study Covered
The bursary is awarded in these fields at UJ: Accounting (BCom), Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
A few practical notes:
- Check the name of your qualification on your academic record against this list. If you are unsure whether your programme counts, email Ms Faro before the deadline rather than guessing.
- The bursary is for full-time study only.
- Qualifications outside these five fields are not covered, even if they are closely related.
4. What the Bursary Pays For
The bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees, books, accommodation and a meal allowance. That makes it more comprehensive than bursaries that pay tuition only. Accommodation and food are major expenses for many students, and this bursary addresses both.
Conditions that affect you financially:
- If you fail a subject, you must pay for the rewrite of the test or course yourself.
- The Trust sponsors a student only once per level of study. If you repeat a year, you should not expect the Trust to fund that year again.
- Graduates with scarce and critical skills qualifications may get the chance to apply for the internship programme at Egoli Gas. This is an opportunity to apply, not a guaranteed placement.
The “once per level” rule makes consistent academic performance essential. A bursary like this rewards students who pass on time.
5. Full Eligibility Criteria, Explained
You must meet all the requirements. If you do not, your application will not be considered. Here is each criterion in plain language.
1. South African citizen. Your green barcoded ID or smart ID card is your proof.
2. Black, as determined by the BEE Act. This follows the definition used in South African employment equity and broad-based black economic empowerment legislation.
3. Completed Matric. Your NSC or equivalent is the basis for your UJ admission.
4. Studying at the University of Johannesburg. Students at other institutions cannot apply.
5. Studying full-time in one of the listed fields. See Section 3.
6. Entering your 2nd, 3rd or 4th year in 2027. Count carefully. If you are repeating a year, check with the Trust whether you qualify.
7. A minimum overall average of 65% in 2026. This is your overall average, not a single module mark. Use your official academic record to calculate it.
8. In financial need. You show this through your household income documents and your cost invoice.
9. Combined household gross income of no more than R45 000 per month. “Gross” means before tax and deductions. “Combined” means the total income of the household, so include all earners your documents show.
10. No other bursary or third-party financial support. If you already receive funding from another bursary, a sponsor or an employer, you do not meet this criterion.
11. Eager to make a difference. This is a qualitative requirement. Your motivational letter is where you demonstrate it.
Self-check: If you can honestly answer “yes” to all eleven, you are eligible to apply. If one answer is “no”, spend your limited time on a different bursary instead.
6. Compulsory Documents, Explained
These documents are compulsory, and an application with missing items may be disqualified. Here is what each one means and how to prepare it.
Certified copy of your ID
A certified copy is a photocopy that an authorised person, such as a commissioner of oaths or police official, has stamped and signed as a true copy of the original. Take your original ID to a police station or commissioner of oaths and ask for it to be certified. Then scan it flat and clearly. Check the date on the stamp, as many organisations expect certification to be recent.
Full academic record
The listing specifies that this must include your marks, not certificates. Request an official academic record from UJ through your student portal or faculty office. Make sure it shows every module and the percentage for each.
Motivational letter
This should show your leadership qualities and explain how you will make a difference after finishing your studies. See Section 9 for a full guide.
Invoice of estimated costs
This is a document showing what your studies are expected to cost. Ask UJ’s student finance office or your faculty for a fee statement or quotation for 2027. If accommodation is part of your plan, include an estimate or quotation for it where possible.
Proof of household income
This means three months of bank statements showing your parents’ or guardians’ combined household gross income. Use the most recent three months available. If a parent’s income is irregular, informal or paid in cash, ask them for the statements that best show it, and consider a short signed explanation as a supporting note.
Curriculum Vitae
Your CV should be clean, honest and no longer than two pages. See Section 10.
7. A Five-Day Plan to Meet the Deadline
The deadline is tight. Here is a realistic schedule from today.
Sunday 18 October
- Check all eleven eligibility criteria.
- Download the application form.
- Request your academic record from UJ if you do not already have it.
- Ask your parents or guardians for three months of bank statements.
Monday 19 October
- Get your ID certified.
- Request your fee statement or cost estimate from UJ.
- Start your motivational letter.
Tuesday 20 October
- Complete the application form.
- Finish a first draft of your CV.
- Finish a first draft of your motivational letter.
Wednesday 21 October
- Scan every document.
- Ask a lecturer, mentor or trusted friend to read your letter.
- Fix any problems with your documents.
Thursday 22 October
- Final review against the checklist in Section 18.
- Send your application, a day early.
Friday 23 October
- Deadline day. Use this only as a backup.
If a document is delayed, for example your academic record, contact the office responsible today and explain that you have a deadline. Do not wait until Thursday to discover a problem.
8. How to Complete the Application Form
The form is a PDF. Some applicants type into it, while others print it, write by hand and scan it. Either works if the result is clear.
- Use the same details everywhere. Your name, ID number and student number should match your ID and academic record exactly.
- Answer every question. Leave no blank fields. If something does not apply, write “N/A”.
- Be honest about your finances. The Trust checks your answers against your bank statements.
- Use a professional email address. A name-based address works better than a nickname.
- Sign and date where required. Earlier forms include consent and declaration sections about processing your personal information, so read each one before you sign.
- How did you hear about the bursary? The form has a field for this, and the listing asks you to enter www.zabursaries.co.za.
9. How to Write Your Motivational Letter
The letter is often what separates applicants with similar marks and similar circumstances. It is the one part of your application where your voice is heard.
What the Trust asks for
The letter should demonstrate your leadership qualities and explain how you will make a difference after you complete your studies. Build every paragraph around those two ideas.
Structure (one page)
Paragraph 1: Who you are. Your name, your degree, your year of study and where you come from. Keep it short and clear.
Paragraph 2: Your story and your need. Explain your background and why financial support matters. Be honest and specific, without exaggerating.
Paragraph 3: Your leadership. Give real examples. Leadership does not need a formal title. It can be tutoring classmates, leading a study group, running a community project, organising a church or youth activity, or taking responsibility for your family. Say what you did and what changed because of it.
Paragraph 4: Your plan to make a difference. Link your qualification to a concrete goal. An Environmental Sciences student might talk about helping communities with waste or water problems, and an Industrial Engineering student might talk about improving how local manufacturers work. Make it your own.
Paragraph 5: Thank you and close. Thank the Trust for considering you and state your commitment to working hard.
Template (replace everything in brackets)
Dear Reatile Foundation Trust Selection Committee,
My name is [full name], and I am a [year]-year [qualification] student at the University of Johannesburg. I am applying for the 2027 Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary because [one honest sentence about why].
I grew up in [place] in a household where [brief, honest description of your circumstances]. Funding my studies has been [describe the challenge]. A bursary would allow me to [what it would change for your studies].
At [school/university/community], I have shown leadership by [specific example]. This taught me [lesson], and the result was [outcome].
After graduating, I plan to [specific goal]. I want to use my skills to [how you will make a difference], starting with [first step].
Thank you for considering my application. I am committed to working hard, passing on time and making the Trust proud.
Yours sincerely,
[Full name]
[Student number]
Do and don’t
Do:
- Use real examples with details.
- Keep your sentences clear and direct.
- Proofread aloud and ask someone else to read it.
Don’t:
- Copy a template word for word. Selectors read many letters.
- Exaggerate or invent achievements.
- Write only about hardship. Balance your need with your drive and your plans.
10. How to Prepare Your CV
A good student CV is simple and accurate. Use this order:
- Personal details: name, phone, email, city
- Education: your school and your UJ qualification, with your year of study and your 2026 average
- Achievements and awards: academic honours, merit lists, certificates
- Leadership and activities: societies, tutoring, volunteering, sport, community involvement
- Skills: software, languages, practical skills relevant to your field
- Work experience (if any): part-time jobs and holiday work count
- References: one lecturer or mentor, with their permission
Keep it to one or two pages, use one clean font, and save it as a PDF.
11. Proving Financial Need
Financial need is judged mainly through two documents: your household bank statements and your invoice of estimated costs.
- Bank statements should clearly show income going in. Ask the bank for official statements if possible, rather than screenshots.
- Your cost invoice should reflect what you expect to pay in 2027. A realistic figure is more credible than an inflated one.
- Be consistent. The form, the statements and your letter should all tell the same story.
If your household income is close to the R45 000 limit, check your totals carefully, because the limit is a stated requirement.
12. Sending Your Application
Treat the email as part of your application.
- To: [email protected]
- Subject: Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary 2027
- Attachments: the completed form plus all six documents
- File names: use clear names such as
Surname_Initial_ID.pdf,Surname_Initial_Academic_Record.pdfandSurname_Initial_Motivation.pdf - File size: if your attachments are large, compress the PDFs or combine them into fewer files. Check that nothing is cut off.
- Check before sending: open each attachment to confirm it is readable.
- Keep a copy: save your sent email and attachments in case you need to resend.
Sample email
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary 2027Dear Ms Faro and the Reatile Foundation Trust team,
Please find attached my completed application for the 2027 Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary, together with the following supporting documents:
- Certified copy of my ID
- Full academic record
- Motivational letter
- Invoice of estimated costs
- Household bank statements (three months)
- Curriculum Vitae
I am a [year]-year [qualification] student at the University of Johannesburg.
Thank you for considering my application.
Kind regards,
[Full name]
[Student number]
[Phone number]
Send early in the day so you have time to fix any bounce-back or delivery error.
13. Selection Process and Timeline
Shortlisted candidates are contacted within one month of the closing date. If you hear nothing by then, treat your application as unsuccessful. With a 23 October closing date, expect to hear by roughly late November 2026.
While you wait:
- Check your email and spam folder regularly.
- Keep your phone available and answer unknown numbers.
- Keep studying, since your results still matter.
- Keep applying for other bursaries, because waiting for one answer is risky.
The Trust has said applicants should not contact it or UJ about a bursary after it has closed, so questions are best asked before the deadline.
14. If You Are Successful
If you are shortlisted or awarded the bursary:
- Respond quickly and provide anything requested.
- Read all terms carefully before signing.
- Remember the key conditions: you pay for rewrites after failed subjects, and the Trust funds each level of study only once.
- Aim to pass every module on time.
- If you study a scarce-skills field, keep the Egoli Gas internship opportunity in mind when you graduate.
15. If You Are Unsuccessful: Other Options
Not receiving this bursary does not end your options. Many students stack applications across several funders.
- NSFAS supports eligible students at public universities. Check the current application window and requirements.
- Accounting students can look at the SAICA Thuthuka Bursary and other accounting listings.
- Engineering students can browse engineering bursaries from companies such as Eskom, Sasol, Transnet, Exxaro and SANRAL.
- Environmental Sciences students can look at government and industry bursaries, including environment-related departments.
- General bursaries from banks, trusts and foundations are listed on bursary directories such as https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/
Closing dates differ by programme, and some may already have closed for 2027, so check each one. Also speak to UJ’s financial aid office about funding options and payment arrangements.
16. Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying when you are not entering 2nd, 3rd or 4th year.
- Sending certificates instead of a full academic record with marks.
- Missing the three months of bank statements.
- Receiving other funding and applying anyway.
- Submitting an uncertified ID copy.
- Sending a generic motivational letter.
- Forgetting the subject line, or writing a vague one.
- Attaching blurry or incomplete scans.
- Using inconsistent information across documents.
- Waiting until deadline day to send.
17. Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate Reatile scholarship I can apply for?
The Trust’s university funding is a bursary. The Trust has also partnered with the Ruta Sechaba Foundation to support learners at Curro schools. That support is for school learners, not university students. Details are at https://www.zabursaries.co.za/general-bursaries-south-africa/ruta-sechaba-foundation-scholarship/
Can I apply if I study at another university?
No. The bursary is for UJ students.
Can I apply if I am studying part-time?
No. It is for full-time students.
Can I apply as a first-year?
No. You must be entering your 2nd, 3rd or 4th year in 2027.
My household earns slightly over R45 000. May I still apply?
That limit is a stated requirement, so you would not meet the criteria.
Do I need to be Black to apply?
The listed criteria say applicants must be Black as determined by the BEE Act.
Can I hold this bursary together with another bursary?
No. The criteria say you must not receive support from another bursary or third party.
Do I have to pay anything back?
The listing does not describe a repayment condition, but read the terms on the 2027 form and in any offer carefully.
What if my final 2026 results are not yet available?
Ask your faculty office what official record you can submit, and contact Ms Faro if you are unsure.
What if I miss the deadline?
Late applications are not accepted.
Who do I contact?
Ms Emily Faro, 010 593 2415, [email protected].
18. Final Checklist Before You Send
- I meet all eleven eligibility criteria
- I am a UJ student in a listed full-time qualification
- I am entering 2nd, 3rd or 4th year in 2027
- My 2026 average is at least 65%
- Household gross income is no more than R45 000 per month
- I receive no other bursary or third-party funding
- Application form completed, signed and dated
- Certified ID copy attached
- Full academic record with marks attached
- Motivational letter attached
- Invoice of estimated costs attached
- Three months of household bank statements attached
- CV attached
- Subject line: Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary 2027
- Sent to [email protected] before 23 October 2026
Final Word
The Reatile Foundation Trust Bursary is a comprehensive package for UJ students in Accounting, Environmental Sciences and three engineering fields. The requirements are specific, the documents are compulsory and the deadline is close, so a complete, neat and honest application is your best chance. Start today, ask for help early and send your email before the last day.
Note: These details come from a third-party bursary listing last updated in October 2026, plus earlier Reatile application forms. Confirm the closing date, criteria and form wording on the official 2027 form or with Ms Faro before you submit.
I can also put this article into a Word document or Markdown file if you’d like.
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