Scholarships
SBF is a prestigious scholarship programme, curated by a specialist team that is redefining what a scholarship means. From thousands of applications received annually, a select group of scholars with academic ability and potential are selected and offered a wide range of interventions spanning High School, University, and beyond. The result is a graduate that boasts agility, critical thinking, service, curiosity, and resilience.
◎ We foster an SBF family which supports each other. This extended network includes alumni, students, and staff.
◎ We provide hands-on support and become directly involved in their lives, as well as the lives of their families and their schools/institutions.
◎ We support young people to become strong, independent thinkers who can successfully navigate a very complex world.
◎ We activate potential and support growth.
Recruitment
Every year, SBF reaches out to primary schools across the Cape Town Metropole to identify the top-achieving learners, with academic ability, and potential and who are financially disadvantaged. We use a targeted recruitment campaign and identify learners that meet the SBF criteria through a series of recruitment steps
Stages
Stage 1
14 June - 30 Aug
Stage 2
Sept 2024
Stage 3
Current Stage
28 Sep
Stage 4
12 Oct
Stage 5
Nov - Dec 2024
Stage 6
February 2025
Apply
For learners to apply, they must
◎ Be in Grade 6 in 2024
◎ 65% aggregate in Gr. 5 final and Gr. 6 term 2 assessments
◎ 65% min for Maths in Gr. 5 final and Gr. 6 term 2 assessments
◎ 70% min for English in Gr. 5 final and Gr. 6 term 2 assessments
◎ Demonstrate financial need
◎ Stay within 25 kilometres of the SBF Newlands Office
Required Documents:
◎ Grade 5 final report and Grade 6 Term 2 report
◎ SA Citizens: applicants unabridged birth certificate (or proof of application of unabridged certificate)
◎ Non-SA Citizens: Proof of study visa & applicants birth certificate
◎ 350 word essay written by Grade 6 applicant responding to topic “Write about a time in your life that shaped you as a person”
◎ Both parents’/guardians’ ID copies (with valid visa/proof of residency if not South African)
◎ Proof of income of all parties earning an income in the home / both parents if involved in the scholars’ upbringing
* If employed, attach 3 most recent salary slips and 3 most recent bank statements; if self-employed, attach six months’ bank statements
* Proof of SASSA grant if applicable
* An affidavit if you are unemployed
◎ If one or more parents are not present or uninvolved, an affidavit confirming this
◎ Death certificate of parent if applicable
Applications for intake 2026 are open and close at 5pm on 30 August 2024.
Download the Students For A Better Future application criteria here.
Follow our Facebook Page for updates on 2026 applications.
Once selected to join our family – the entire cohort will, in their Grade 7 year, undertake a 7-month long preparatory programme to build bonds, access necessary enrichment in learning, and supporting a transition into a life changing journey
High School Scholarships
SBF manages two Scholarships under the umbrella of the SBF Scholarship. The first is the SBF Scholarship; where each successful scholar from around the Cape Town Metropole, is placed in one of our twelve partner schools. The second scholarship is the Disa High School Scholarship, where successful scholars from our sister school, Disa Primary in Hout Bay, are placed at Groote Schuur High School. Each year we see a new cohort of amazing young scholars join our SBF family.
SBF has developed a dedicated curriculum which we work through with our young people from Grade 8 - Grade 12, supporting the development of key attributes and building the skills of the future. We provide a wide range of support to our scholars based on a holistic programme; ranging from psychosocial support, tutoring, boarding, sports, culture, service and more!
We have partnered with 13 of Cape Town’s best High Schools to ensure that our scholars receive a well-rounded education, equipping them with the academics, skills and exposure to opportunities needed to thrive in the future.
Our parents and guardians are central to SBF achieving its purpose and enabling young scholars to access tertiary opportunities to break the chain of poverty. By providing resources and support to them, we ensure that they are capacitated to fully support their children in this journey.
SASLI
The Susan and Andreas Struengmann Leadership Initiative, or SASLI, is a three-year leadership development programme for highly motivated SBF scholarship recipients. This highly coveted university initiative is focused on developing the power skills of the future, active citizenship, and an integrated wellness practice.
In today’s highly competitive world of work, employers are seeking oven-ready graduates who are ready to hit the ground running. By actively equipping our laureates with the most powerful skills of all, we are generating a pipeline of extraordinary young people purpose-built to thrive.
