The Hollywood Foundation Future Is Bright Bursary Programme 2027 is now open to qualifying South African students who plan to pursue full-time studies at approved tertiary institutions during the 2027 academic year.
The bursary is intended to help students who meet the academic and eligibility requirements with the costs associated with their studies. Depending on the approved funding and the applicant’s circumstances, financial support may cover some or several approved education-related expenses.
Hollywood Foundation Future Is Bright Bursary 2027 – Key Details
- Programme: Future Is Bright Bursary Programme 2027
- Organisation: Hollywood Foundation
- Study year: 2027
- Study mode: Full-time
- Eligible applicants: South African citizens
- Study institution: DHET-registered tertiary institutions in South Africa
- Study level: Undergraduate and selected postgraduate qualifications
- Closing date: 3 September 2026 at 12:00 midday
- Application method: Online
Students interested in applying should carefully check the requirements before submitting an application, particularly the academic thresholds, approved fields of study and documents required.
What Is the Hollywood Foundation Future Is Bright Bursary?
The Future Is Bright Bursary is a financial assistance programme offered by the Hollywood Foundation to support eligible students pursuing selected qualifications.
The programme focuses on fields that can provide students with useful skills for the workplace, including areas such as information technology, business, finance, data science, engineering, marketing and communications.
Funding can be full or partial, depending on the approved bursary allocation, the applicant’s circumstances and the relevant study requirements.
The programme is open to students entering tertiary education as well as qualifying students who are already studying and intend to continue their studies in 2027.
Fields of Study Covered
Students must be studying towards a qualification in one of the approved fields.
The listed fields include:
- Architectural Design
- Business Management
- Data Science
- Finance and Accounting
- BCom Law
- Graphic Design
- Human Resources Management
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- Information Systems
- Software Engineering
- Systems and Network Administration
- Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Communications
- Media and Communications
- Project Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Logistics Management
Applicants should ensure that their chosen qualification falls within an eligible field before completing the application.
Which Qualifications Can Be Funded?
The Future Is Bright Bursary may support students enrolled in approved qualifications at several study levels.
These include:
- Higher Certificates
- National Certificates
- Diplomas
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Advanced Diplomas
- Honours degrees
- Other approved postgraduate studies
However, the available information indicates that Master’s and PhD qualifications are not funded.
The qualification must also meet the programme’s minimum duration requirement.
Where Can You Study?
Applicants must be studying, or planning to study, at a tertiary institution that is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa.
The programme does not fund studies at TVET colleges.
In addition, the qualification must normally have a duration of at least 12 months.
Students should therefore confirm that both their institution and qualification meet the bursary’s requirements before applying.
Who Qualifies for the Hollywood Foundation Bursary?
To be considered for the 2027 bursary, applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility conditions.
Fresh listings:
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Study or intend to study full-time during 2027.
- Choose a qualification in one of the approved fields.
- Attend, or intend to attend, a DHET-registered tertiary institution.
- Meet the required academic performance criteria.
- Have a qualification that is at least 12 months in duration.
- Not hold another bursary or award that requires them to work for another organisation after completing their studies.
- Accept the terms and conditions attached to the bursary.
Meeting the basic requirements does not necessarily guarantee funding, as applicants may still have to go through the Foundation’s selection process.
Academic Requirements for Matric Learners
Learners who are currently in Matric must meet the specified academic threshold.
They are required to have:
- At least a 65% overall average in their mid-year or final Matric results.
- At least 65% for each subject in Matric.
Applicants should make sure that the academic documents uploaded with their application clearly demonstrate that they meet these requirements.
Requirements for Students Already at University or College
Students who are already enrolled in tertiary studies must meet a different academic threshold.
They need to achieve at least a:
60% overall average in their most recent academic results.
Students who receive funding and wish to remain eligible for future support must continue maintaining at least a 60% overall average.
Applicants should therefore submit their latest available academic record when completing the application.
What Does the Hollywood Foundation Bursary Cover?
The bursary may provide financial assistance towards approved study-related expenses.
Depending on the applicant’s approved funding, assistance may include:
- Registration costs
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
- Approved study materials
- Accommodation, where approved
- Living assistance, where approved
The exact amount and combination of costs covered will depend on the bursary award.
Applicants should not assume that every expense associated with their studies will automatically be paid. Only costs approved under the bursary programme will be covered.
Expenses the Bursary Does Not Cover
Certain expenses are excluded from the bursary.
These may include:
- Supplementary examination fees
- Non-prescribed study materials
- Personal expenses unrelated to the approved studies
- Other costs that have not been authorised under the bursary
Students should carefully review the funding terms before accepting an award.
Is Vacation Work Required?
An important part of the programme is the potential requirement for bursary recipients to participate in vacation work with the company.
Successful students may be expected to work for at least half of the holiday period.
A transport stipend will be provided for the period spent participating in the vacation-work programme.
Applicants should take this requirement into account before accepting the bursary, particularly if they have other commitments during university holidays.
Could Bursary Recipients Work for the Company After Graduation?
The bursary may also come with a potential employment obligation.
After completing their studies, successful bursary recipients may be required to take up employment with the company, at the company’s discretion.
The potential employment period may correspond to the length of time for which the student received bursary funding.
This means prospective applicants should read the full bursary terms and conditions carefully before accepting funding.
Hollywood Foundation Bursary Selection Process
Submitting an application does not mean that a student will automatically receive funding.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to complete additional selection activities, which can include:
- Assessments
- Interviews
- Further selection exercises
The final decision will be made after the selection process has been completed.
Applicants are expected to receive feedback regarding their applications by the end of December 2026.
Documents Required for the Application
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the online application.
The required documents include:
- A certified copy of your South African ID.
- Matric certificate or statement of Matric results.
- Most recent tertiary academic results, where applicable.
- Acceptance letter or proof of application from the tertiary institution.
- Detailed information about the qualification.
- Name and address of the registered institution.
- A proforma invoice or estimated study-cost invoice from the institution.
- Proof of the institution’s banking details.
- Proof of residential address.
- A motivational letter.
Applicants should ensure that documents are clear and legible. Missing information or incomplete applications may result in the application being rejected.
What Should the University Proforma Invoice Include?
The proforma invoice or study-cost estimate supplied by the institution should provide a clear breakdown of the expected costs.
Where applicable, it should show:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks or study materials
- Accommodation
- Living assistance
Providing a detailed cost breakdown can help the Foundation determine the funding required for the student’s studies.
Motivational Letter Requirements
Applicants must submit a motivational letter written in their own words.
The letter should explain why the applicant deserves consideration for the bursary and how the financial support would contribute to their education and future career.
The motivational letter should address:
- Why you are applying for the bursary.
- Why you believe you should be selected.
- How the funding will assist you with your studies.
- How your chosen qualification connects with your future career plans.
The motivational letter must not exceed 2,000 words.
Applicants should avoid copying generic motivational letters from the internet. A clear and personal explanation of their goals can make the application more meaningful.
External and Internal Bursary Applications
The Hollywood Foundation has different application routes depending on the applicant’s relationship with the Hollywood Group.
External Applicants
The external application route is intended for applicants who:
- Are not employees of Hollywoodbets.
- Are not immediate family members or relatives of employees of Hollywoodbets or related entities.
Internal Applicants
The internal route is intended for:
- Hollywood Group employees.
- Relatives of Hollywood Group team members.
Applicants should select the correct application route when submitting their application.
How to Apply for the Hollywood Foundation Future Is Bright Bursary 2027
Applications for the Future Is Bright Bursary must be submitted online.
Applicants should first confirm that they satisfy the academic, citizenship, study-level and institution requirements.
When completing the application:
- Select the appropriate internal or external application route.
- Enter your personal and academic information accurately.
- Provide details about your chosen qualification and institution.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Include your motivational letter.
- Check that the submitted information is complete and correct.
- Submit the application before the closing time.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to submit. The deadline is strictly at 12:00 midday on 3 September 2026.
Application: Applicants should use the official Hollywood Foundation bursary application portal to submit their application.
Hollywood Foundation Bursary Closing Date
The closing date for the Hollywood Foundation Future Is Bright Bursary 2027 is:
3 September 2026 at 12:00 midday.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Because the deadline falls at midday rather than midnight, applicants should submit their applications well in advance to avoid missing the cut-off.
Bursary Enquiries
Applicants who need assistance with the bursary application can contact the Hollywood Foundation Bursaries Team.
Email: bursaries@hollywoodfoundation.co.za
This contact should be used for questions specifically related to the bursary programme and application process.
Important Things Applicants Should Remember
Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should check the following:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must be in Matric or have completed Matric.
- Your studies must be full-time.
- Your qualification must be at least 12 months long.
- Your institution must be DHET-registered.
- TVET college studies are not covered.
- Your chosen field must be on the approved list.
- Matric applicants need at least a 65% overall average and 65% per subject.
- Current tertiary students need at least a 60% overall average.
- Funded students must maintain at least a 60% average for continued funding.
- Master’s and PhD studies are not funded.
- A vacation-work requirement may apply.
- Post-study employment with the company may be required at the company’s discretion.
- You cannot have another bursary that creates a work obligation with another organisation.
- Supporting documents must be complete and clear.
- The motivational letter must be written in your own words and may not exceed 2,000 words.
- Applications close at 12:00 midday on 3 September 2026.
Conclusion
The Hollywood Foundation Future Is Bright Bursary 2027 provides an opportunity for qualifying South African students to receive financial assistance while pursuing selected full-time qualifications at registered tertiary institutions.
The programme covers a range of career-focused fields, including technology, business, finance, engineering, marketing, communications and data science. However, applicants must pay close attention to the academic requirements, eligible qualifications, funding conditions and possible vacation-work and employment obligations.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your academic records, proof of admission or application, institutional cost estimate and motivational letter before starting the online application.
Most importantly, do not leave the submission until the last minute. The application deadline is 3 September 2026 at 12:00 midday.
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