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ABOUT THE BURSARY COMPETITION
For the 2026 academic year, students are being invited to enter for the Matriculant of the Year competition by the University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with Media24.
Applications are being accepted from Matric students who want to enroll at the University of the Free State in 2026 and who excel in academics, athletics, culture, or leadership.
Top-achieving matriculants have the opportunity to win bursaries, prizes, and other amazing opportunities through this famous competition, which has been in existence for more than 40 years.
SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION
The following steps will be part of the selection process:
- Using the information on the application form, the judges will choose 25 semi-finalists, who will subsequently be evaluated on a point system.
- In October 2025, a panel of judges will interview the 14 finalists that the judges have chosen.
- The Matriculant of the Year will be revealed at a distinguished gala event after the finalist has been chosen based on the best personal accomplishment and the most vivacious personality.
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE COMPETITION
Submit your application online viaBursary Competition Entry Form 2026
Together with your filled-out application, send in the following supporting material:
- A post-card-sized photo of the applicant's face wearing their school uniform
- Final grades for grade 11 (certified copy)
- Results of the March and June Matric exams (certified copy)
submission of these documents is required; omission of any of these could result in your application being rejected
Please take note that the application form needs to be stamped by the school and signed by the principal.
The following ways can be used to submit applications:
By Email:
To apply, send an email togreylinl@ufs.ac.za.
Make sure the subject line reads "Matriculant of the Year Competition."
By Hand Delivery:
UFS Student Recruitment
Wekkie Saayman Building
Corner of Rector and Granduandi Avenue
UFS Campus, Bloemfontein
CLOSING DATE : 1 August 2025.
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER
If you have any questions about this bursary program, please get in touch with the UFS directly:
Contact information:Linda Greyling
Phone:051 401 3384
Email:greylinl@ufs.ac.za
For more bursaries visit: view more bursaries here