This text is intentional written for ease of reference, so that those who may need it maybe directed here. The following disclaimers are important;
- The information provided here is not exhaustive, it has to be read with other information available in primary sources, and/or from those more knowledgable than the author of this text.
- The content of this post is largely the comprehension, and analysis, of the author, and not the official position of the relevant department or government.
- If you prefer the official position of the department, you may stop reading here and go to http://www.internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za/FAQ.html where you will also find the contact details of the person whose job it is to provide you with the information you might be looking for.
- If you are still reading, note that the content of this post is accurate up to the time it was written, and is subject to the overall disclaimer of the website.
The first Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) on the DHET International Scholarships website is;
“I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO STUDY AT A UNIVERSITY OVERSEAS. CAN THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING FUND MY STUDIES?
Unfortunately we are not able to fund students who are not part of our existing scholarship partnerships, which are advertised through calls for applications, and are made available on our website. Even some of the scholarships advertised here are not fully funded and may require students to self-fund some aspects of their studies or living expenses.”
In April 2018, South Africa increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 14% to 15%, among others to enable government to finance policy decision that had been announced on 16 December 2017, to provide fee-free higher education to students from households who earn below R350 000.
What this suggests is that there may not be much money in the prevailing fiscal environment to provide free higher education for all, or even for those who may be from the identified households. It should, therefore, be understandable that government would prioritise funding the South African students who are studying in South Africa’s public Post-Secondary Education institutions.
Attractive, and perhaps necessary, as it may be to have South Africans sent to study abroad at a cost to the South African government, unless it is demonstrably cost effective than funding students in South Africa, it would not make a lot of sense.
Having said that, South Africa has many bilateral agreements with various countries, where SA has taken the offer from those countries to have SA students study in those countries. Usually, in those arrangements, the offering government funds the studies of the students in full, or in part where the student themselves would be expected to co-pay their own fees. Scholarships that are part of those agreements are listed at http://www.internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za/
As indicated earlier, the list, even on that website, is not exhaustive, as there are other government departments or entities, other than the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), that may have entered into agreements with governments of other countries without notifying the DHET.
If you came to read this because you, or someone you know, would like to study abroad, I strongly recommend that you make an effort to find out more information. You have greater agency than the author of this text, and stand to benefit more than the author in knowing more about what you need to do.