Motivational Letter for a Bursary: Example and Free Template

How to write a motivational letter for a bursary in South Africa, with a full example, a free template and the mistakes that get applications rejected.

Many bursaries ask for a motivational letter. It’s your chance to show the committee who you are beyond your marks: why you chose your field, what you’ve overcome and why their money will be well spent on you.

This guide gives you a simple structure, a full example and a template you can copy.

What a bursary committee looks for

Committees read hundreds of letters. The ones that stand out show four things:

• A clear goal. What you want to study and the career it leads to.
• Real motivation. A specific reason you chose this field, not “I have always been passionate”.
• Financial need, told honestly. Why you need support, in one or two calm sentences.
• Fit with the funder. Why this company or fund, and how your goal matches what they do.

How to structure your letter

Keep it to one page, about 300 to 400 words.

1. Your details and date at the top: full name, cellphone number, email, and the bursary name and reference number if there is one.
2. Opening paragraph: who you are, what you’re studying or plan to study, and which bursary you’re applying for.
3. Why this field: one real story or experience that led you here.
4. Your achievements: marks, leadership, community work or part-time work. Show you’re reliable.
5. Financial need: your situation in one or two honest sentences. No long stories.
6. Why this funder: connect your goal to their work or values.
7. Closing: thank them, say you’re available for an interview, and sign off.

Example motivational letter

Sipho Ndlovu 072 345 6789 · sipho.ndlovu@gmail.com · Polokwane, Limpopo 9 November 2026

Dear Bursary Committee,

Application for the 2027 Engineering Bursary

My name is Sipho Ndlovu. I completed matric at Capricorn High School in 2026, and I have been accepted to study Civil Engineering at the University of Pretoria in 2027. I am applying for your 2027 Engineering Bursary.

When I was in Grade 9, the bridge to my village washed away in a storm. For three months my mother walked an extra hour to work, and learners missed school. Watching engineers rebuild that bridge is why I want to design roads and bridges that last.

I passed matric with a Bachelor’s pass, including 78% in Mathematics and 74% in Physical Sciences. I was a member of the Representative Council of Learners and I tutored Grade 10 learners in Mathematics every Saturday.

My mother is a domestic worker and supports three children on her own. Without a bursary I will not be able to pay my tuition and residence fees.

Your company builds infrastructure in rural communities like mine. I would be proud to study with your support and later work on projects that connect communities.

Thank you for considering my application. I am available for an interview at any time.

Yours sincerely, Sipho Ndlovu

Free template

Copy this and replace everything in [brackets]:

[Full name] [Cellphone] · [Email] · [Town, Province] [Date]

Dear Bursary Committee,

Application for the [bursary name and year]

My name is [name]. I [completed matric at / am studying at] [school or institution] and I [plan to study / am studying] [course] at [institution]. I am applying for your [bursary name].

[One real experience that made you choose this field, in 2–3 sentences.]

[Your marks, leadership, volunteering or work, in 2–3 sentences.]

[Your financial situation, honestly, in 1–2 sentences.]

[Why this funder: how your goal links to their work, in 1–2 sentences.]

Thank you for considering my application. I am available for an interview at any time.

Yours sincerely, [Full name]

Mistakes that get letters rejected

• Copying a letter from the internet. Committees recognise them.
• Writing more than one page.
• The wrong company name, left over from another application.
• Spelling mistakes and SMS language.
• Only talking about money, with nothing about your goals.
• Exaggerating marks or achievements. Funders check your results.

Before you send it

• Read it out loud to catch mistakes.
• Save it as a PDF named like Sipho-Ndlovu-Motivational-Letter.pdf.
• Send it with an up-to-date CV. Make one with our free CV builder.

Find bursaries that are open now on our Bursaries page.

Guide details

• Last checked on: 9 November 2026
• Download button text: Download the free motivational letter template