2026 RMA Transformation Bursary Programme

Applications are open.

Applications close on Friday, 02 January 2026 at 12 midday.

How to Apply Continue Existing Application Track Completed Application

ABOUT THE COMPANY

In 1894, three mining companies on the Witwatersrand founded RMA as a non-profit mutual assurance company. They saw a need to help care for miners who were injured while on duty. To this day, RMA remains a mutual association, which means the policyholders are also the shareholders.

 

In 1990, RMA Life Assurance Company Limited (RMA Life) was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RMA. Its purpose is to manage pension benefits for claimants and their beneficiaries. As a compassionate and caring organization, RMA goes the extra mile to ensure that beneficiaries and their families get the care and compensation they're entitled to after a work-related injury or occupational disease.

About The Bursary

The bursary programme has been designed to provide financial assistance for children of RMA  pensioners and child pension beneficiaries who face barriers in accessing quality primary and secondary education due to financial hardship. By Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) offers an Extension Bursary Programme specifically for the children of pensioners to help them complete their studies, particularly tertiary education, as monthly pensions are often not enough to cover these costs. 

The program is designed to support the children of RMA pensioners who have sustained a work-related injury or disease resulting in a permanent disability. While standard child pensions stop at age 18, children of pensioners can apply to RMA for an extension of benefits if they are studying past this age. 

The bursary is granted for the duration of a full qualification, but students must complete a Bursary Continuation form annually and submit proof of registration and academic results to continue receiving funds. 

RMA pays the educational institution directly for the funded costs. 

The bursary does not cover late registration fees or interest charged on overdue accounts. 

What the bursary covers 

  • Registration and administration fees: These are the standard fees charged by educational institutions for registering a student in a qualification. 
  • Prescribed textbooks and study materials: This includes the required textbooks for the course as well as other supporting materials, such as a financial calculator for a BCom student. 
  • Supplementary classes or lectures: If the tuition for a qualification does not include lectures, such as for a long-distance course, the bursary will cover the costs for supplementary classes to support the student's learning.

Who Can Apply

The bursary programme will be aimed at candidates who meet the following criteria: 

General Requirements:

  • Children whose parent or legal guardian is an RMA pensioner due to a work-related injury or disease resulting in a permanent disability. 
  • The program is designed to extend benefits for students who are continuing their studies past the age of 18, when standard child pensions typically cease. 
  • The funding is for qualifications at accredited South African universities, universities of technology, or colleges. 
  • Applicants must be pursuing a full-time qualification (e.g., degree, diploma). 
  • The bursary is renewable for the duration of the qualification. Students must submit a Bursary Continuation form and meet academic performance requirements each year.
  • The student is not eligible if they are married
  • RMA only pays for one qualification per student and will only provide support up to Honour’s level for the one qualification.

Financial Need:

  • The household combined net income should not exceed R400 000 pa
  • Students with disabilities, who are from families with a combined annual household income of up to R600 000

Academic Performance:

  • Students who have achieved an overall average of more than 60%
  • Students who have achieved an overall average of between 50% and 60%

Please read these notes and instructions carefully before completing the form. Be sure to read every section and ensure that the information you provide is accurate.

  • Applications that are incomplete and that include misrepresentations will immediately be disregarded.
  • Please ensure that you attach ALL of the Required Documents
  • Closing date for application type:
    • 2026 RMA Transformation Bursary Programme closes: Friday, 02 January 2026 at 12 midday.
  • Bursary allocation year for application type:
    • 2026 RMA Transformation Bursary Programme will be allocated for the 2026 academic year

  1. Please read these notes and instructions carefully before completing the form. Be sure to read every section and ensure that the information you provide is accurate.

 

Applications that are incomplete and that include misrepresentations will immediately be disregarded.

Please ensure that you attach ALL of the Required Documents

This Bursary is for the 2026 academic year. 

Should you not have heard back from us within 3 months, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

Click Here To Apply Continue Existing Application Track Completed Application

Required Documents

Please prepare the following documents:

    Important Note About Documents: 

    All certified documents must be less than 3 months old. 

    [*] Where you have multiple documents for 1 submission, please combine/scan them into 1 file that you can upload. 

     

    All Applicants: 

    1. 1-2 page motivation letter on why they want RMA to pay for their tertiary education and career aspiration as it relates to the chosen field of study (If you are doing your first year) 
    2. RMA Pension Membership Details
    3. Certified copy of a valid South African identity document 
    4. Recent certified Parents/Guardian's valid South African ID (or death certificate if deceased)* 
    5. Proof of household income (certified copy of SASSA docs or 3 months Payslips of parents/guardians) - Please attach affidavits confirming unemployment, if parent/s are unemployed* 

    Scholar in Matric 

    1. Grade 11 and 12-Term-2 Report (stamped) - With official school stamp 

     

    Gap Year Student 

    1. Certified copy of valid matric certificate (Grade 12) 
    2. OPTIONAL- Certified copy of the latest Official academic transcript/s- (combined doc required for applicants that have enrolled at multiple institutions during their tertiary studies*) 

     

    Undergrad/Honours

    1. Certified copy of valid matric certificate (Grade 12) 
    2. 2025 Official Proof of Registration at university (for 2025 academic year) - Must be an official document from the university 
    3. Certified copy of the latest Official academic transcript/s- (combined doc required for applicants who have enrolled at multiple institutions during their tertiary studies*) 

     

    Optional Docs 

    1. Have a Disability? Dept of Labour Employment Equity Act (EEA1) Form AND a Doctors’ Letter * 
    2. Did you get funded by another bursary/NSFAS?; upload your bursary agreement/letter/offer* 
    3. A copy of 2026 acceptance letter from an accredited institution. - Official letter showing you've been accepted (even provisionally) to study the qualification in 2026* 
    4. Application form for the extension of a child's pension (available on RMA website)

For applicants under the age of 18, to comply with POPI regulations a signed consent form completed by your parent/legal guardian along with a certified copy of their proof of identity is required.

You can download the guardian consent form by clicking HERE.

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