Ashraful Aid | Great International Bursary Opportunity 2026

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim!”
Knowledge doesn’t come to you, but you have to go to it

Ashraful Aid as a Humanitarian Organisation, has a limited Zakaat Bursary Programme open for learners wishing to pursue tertiary and vocational studies at any registered institution within South Africa. The courses have to be accredited by SAQA and the SETA. The Bursary does not include those studying at private Institutions,

We also have a comprehensive Education programme that includes’; Bursary Fund, School supplies, School feeding projects, Madressah feeding, teacher development, and infrastructure development. As a Humanitarian organisation, it is our duty to invest in the youth human capital in line with the National Development Plan of South Africa. The Zakaat bursary programme is available to learners who meet the following criteria:

The learner qualifies to be a Zakaat beneficiary.
Acceptance letter.
The learner is without funding for the academic year.

Bursary Eligibility

The description below is meant to highlight and conscientize the applicant and the applicant’s family as to who may apply and qualify for a Zakaat Bursary. It is important that both the applicant and the applicant’s family read and understand the information below before submitting the application form. Ashraful Aid is committed to the upliftment and social welfare of Humanity. This is realised through OUR programmes.

However, the primary target group in this regard are those that society in general have forgotten or neglected and who are generally described as poverty-stricken individuals/families, i. e. the unemployed, those with menial or low-paying jobs and those with insufficient income as has been identified by Shariah.

Priority fields:

Tertiary

Teaching
Farming/Agriculture
Project Management
Paramedic
Energy
Medical Care

Vocational

Artisan
Sewing
Baking
Computer Literacy

What is covered by the bursary?

Tuition fees

What is not covered by the bursary:

Meals and accommodation
Travel costs to and from the University or Institution.
Stationery costs such as laptops, pens, writing books etc.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum criteria before applying for the

Ashraful AID Zakat Bursary:

You must be a South African Citizen or a Foreign National with a study permit for South Africa.
You are under the age of 30.
You must be Zakaatable or eligible to use Zakat funds.
You must be willing to study or currently studying.
You are studying towards your first and only degree or qualification.

Selection Process

All applicants are to submit their application and supporting documents by 31 January annually.

Candidates will be required to pay their own registration fees.
All applications and shortlisted potential candidates will be contacted.
All applicants will be notified via email or text on the status of their application after the process has been finalised.
Short-listed applicants will be contacted via phone, email or WhatsApp for an interview. NB. The interview will be conducted in person at the AA or via MS Teams/Zoom, depending on location.
Successful applicants will be required to complete a bursary acceptance form and an Application for Financial Assistance form.
Submit their registration documents to AA for payments to be processed.
All payments will be made directly to the learning institution.
Students are required to submit their mid-year and final year academic transcripts to Ashraful Aid, indicating their progress

Instructions

Complete the application.
Applications with incomplete information will not be considered.
Applications with incorrect information will lead to your application being disqualified.
Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.
Closing date for all applications is 31 January annually. Any applications received after this date will not be considered.
The application is valid for that year period only.

Required Documents

A certified copy of a valid matriculation certificate or qualifications. (mandatory to all relevant applicants)
A certified copy of the identity document of the applicant and guardians/parents or spouse.(mandatory)
If currently studying, full academic records must be attached (mandatory to all relevant applicants)
For first-time applicants, attach a copy of proof of application and/or provisional acceptance letter offer from the university/learning institution, Proof of income of applicants, parents/guardians, and spouse if applicable i. e. payslips and 3 months bank statements.
Motivational letter of why your application should be considered.
Any other documents required by Ashraful AID to process your application?

Motivational Letter Guidelines

Your motivational letter should speak to the following points:

Introduce yourself.
Your background, accomplishments, and achievements.
The reason behind your course selection, the profession it will lead to and what you will accomplish by pursuing this field.

Submitting Your Application

Kindly note, our applications for 2025 are now closed.

N.B Ashraful Aid reserves the right to award or decline a bursary application.

Ashraful Aid Bursary – Investing in Bright Futures

The Ashraful Aid Bursary is a financial support programme aimed at assisting underprivileged yet deserving students in South Africa to access tertiary education. Offered by the humanitarian organisation Ashraful Aid, the bursary prioritises students who demonstrate academic potential, strong moral values, and financial need.

The bursary typically covers tuition fees, textbooks, and other academic-related costs, depending on available funding. Ashraful Aid focuses on empowering youth through education, enabling them to uplift their communities and break the cycle of poverty.