Thank you to everyone who’s been reading my work. A huge thank you to everyone who’s been patient with me and still loyal to the blog even with my minimal posting. Thank you to everyone who’s interacted and I hope this post adds to the information you’ll use to make your medical journey as smooth as possible.
Today we are unpacking funding and in particular the struggle that comes with funding a GEMP degree. Grab a snack, a piece of paper and let’s unpack the Achilles hill of funding a medical degree which isn’t your first degree.
Challenges
Funding your degree as a GEMP student is very challenging as the degree is not noticed as a continuous degree, but as a stand alone degree. This means that funders are not keen to fund GEMP students as this is not their first degree. Be prepared for this reality as it is very real and does happen. This, as you can imagine is a very emotionally and mentally draining feature of this degree. You will work your butt off to get good marks and be slapped with rejection letter after rejection letter and honestly it’s easy to be demotivated and want to give up on the journey because of this. But, this blog is a blog for hope, and positivity. Although this is a challenge, it is not reason to give up.
I don’t have all the answers, but I hope this post provides some answers for those of you hoping to do GEMP, or currently in GEMP seeking funding. I won’t talk to much because this is an information post. I’ll also list all the possible routes you can take for funding as a medical student in GEMP. Lesego is a friend of mine who is also a GEMP student. She has a YouTube video detailing similar information if you’d like to watch the video, I will leave the link to her video at the end of this post ✨
Currently, NSFAS does not cover GEMP students which is unfortunate, but hopefully one day it will be recognized and funded by the aid scheme. I have created a list of a few places you can apply to for funding. Most of these options are exclusive to South African Citizens, which is another limitation you may face if you’re an international student. However, within the blog I spoke on other options which may help international students pay their fees. This list is not all inclusive and you may need to do your own research for more opportunities. With more experience, I will add more options, so you cam revisit this post any time you need to ✨
I wish you all the best in your journey, I wish you peace and courage to continue to fight for your goals 🖤🤍🤎💛
Resources you need to prepare before applying for funding
- Certified copies of important documents
- Your ID
- Parents/ guardians ID
- Matric certificate
- Degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Proof of registration
- Proof of residence
- Affidavit, divorce decrees or death certificates
- Anything extra that the bursary may require
2. Motivational letter stating that:
- you need funding
- Why you need funding
- Telling them a bit about yourself and your home life
- Telling them about your academic achievements
- Telling them about your extra murals and awards
- Align your letter to the bursaries mission statement
3. Any extra documents you may need
Some options to consider for funding your degree:
PAYMENT PLANS
It is important to contact the university financial department if you are unable to pay fees or need assistance with tuition fees. This would involve signing an acknowledgment of debt (AOD) agreement with the financial office in order to prevent accumulating interest on your tuition fees. Follow the link below to view the university tuition fees site and have a look at the GEMP (MBBCh) tuition fees.
https://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/fees-and-funding/
UNIVERSITY ASSISTANCE AND REWARDS
Partnering with government, there have been strides to provide students from the missing middle and disadvantaged household with DHET GAP funding to cover the fee increment each year.
You may also apply for sponsorship and aid from donors by applying for the Discretionary fund. You will find this application on self-service.
https://self-service.wits.ac.za/psp/csprod/UW_SELF_SERVICE/HRMS/?&cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&
If you achieve an average of 75% and above, the university gives you R3000 up to R10 000 as a performance bonus. So if you can, work your butt off so that you can secure the university bag!
https://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/fees-and-funding/financial-aid-and-scholarships-office/
BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
This is the go big or go home really !! I think every university student aims to get a bursary which covers their tuition fees and accommodation at very least. Some of them cover everything, while others only assist. Either way, a bursary is a must have, so apply for as many as possible.
This list isn’t extensive, and where I didn’t attach a link you’ll have to do your own research and contact the relevant people for help.
Career wise
City of Johannesburg Bursary
City of Ekurhuleni Bursary
Tomorrow Trust
Provincial department of Health Bursary
GCRA
https://gcra.digitalportal.co.za
Tiso foundation
PPS foundation
https://www.professionalsconnect.co.za/bursary-programme
Bursary network
https://www.bursarynetwork.com
Nedbank bursary
ABSA scholarship
StudyTrust / StudieTrust
https://leap.ly/organizations/55
ISFAP
Hci foundation
ETDP SETA
https://sastudy.co.za/article/etdp-seta-bursaries-uplifting-our-future-generation/
General Electric bursary
Motsepe foundation
Black professionals scholarship fund
Pyrotech
David makhura charity trust fund
Cyril Ramaphosa Educational Trust
Total bursary(opens 1 August)
Hagart Trust
Health workers seta
Moshal scholarship
Novus holdings(open year round)
http://bhelesifoundation.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Application-Form-2021.pdf
Bhelesi foundation bursary
LOANS
Fundi loan
Bank loans (I.e. Nedbank, FNB, Standard bank etc)
Wits has a collaboration with Discovery Bank which provides medical students with loans which do not require their parents to be surety. Contact faculty for more information
https://www.wits.ac.za/health/
CROWD FUNDING
This is where you appeal to people on social media or even companies to fund your degree, especially for international students who cannot secure bursaries or loans.
Feenix
Go fund me
Back a buddy
I wish you all the best in your endeavors. May you achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself ✨ I wish you good health, safety and prosperity, even in these uncharted times ✨
For more information click on the logo below to view YouTube as we follow Lesego on her journey to becoming Dr Mothapo and explains funding opportunities and general things to think about when funding your medical degree✨
YT: https://youtu.be/9TK_OxU9128Follow her on her socials as well :
Twitter : sego_mothapo
Instagram : Sego.mothapo
SA MEDISCHOOL BLOG 
Thank you so much for the information sister. This will definitely be a post I look at when i am not sure. Thank you.
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Thank you sesi, please also share this ❤
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