BURSARY CLERK (X1 POST)

This position serves as a Bursary Clerk within the Central Office of Vhembe TVET College, playing a central role in the administration of student financial aid and bursary programmes. Based in a college environment that serves multiple local municipalities, the clerk is responsible for supporting both new and returning students throughout the entire bursary lifecycle, from initial application through to the payment of approved allowances. The role requires close collaboration with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), as well as with internal departments such as student administration, finance, and audit. It is a demanding administrative post that balances front-line student and parent support with behind-the-scenes record-keeping, reconciliation, and reporting duties, all within a framework that demands high integrity due to the sensitive personal and financial information handled.

To be considered, candidates must hold a Grade 12 or Senior Certificate, or an NCV Level 4 Certificate, combined with an appropriate three-year Diploma or Degree in Financial Management, Public Management, Business Management, or a related field. At least one to two years of relevant experience in bursary administration or student financial aid is required, along with a solid understanding of NSFAS bursary processes, TVET College bursary rules, and basic financial administration. Practical computer literacy, particularly in MS Word and Excel, is essential, as are strong communication, organisational, and customer-service skills. The successful candidate must be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail while handling large volumes of applications. A high level of integrity and confidentiality is non-negotiable, given that the clerk manages students’ personal and financial records. Knowledge of relevant college student administration or financial systems and NSFAS online systems would be an advantage, as would holding a valid driver’s licence.

The duties are broad and hands-on. The clerk receives, checks, and captures bursary applications, verifies supporting documentation, and advises students where documents are missing or incorrect. This includes assisting with NSFAS application queries, capturing applicant information, monitoring application statuses, and helping students with appeals. The role also extends to the administration of approved allowances, including verifying information for accommodation and travel allowances, checking attendance records where applicable, and following up on outstanding payments. Maintaining accurate bursary files, capturing updates on the college system, preparing statistics and reports, and reconciling bursary information with student accounts are core responsibilities. The clerk also supports internal and external auditors by providing bursary-related information, responds to enquiries from students, parents, and other stakeholders, explains bursary requirements, assists during registration and orientation, and helps conduct bursary awareness sessions. Complex financial-aid matters are referred to a supervisor or to NSFAS, making sound judgement and clear professional boundaries important.

Vhembe TVET College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and actively encourages applications from persons with disabilities. The organisation operates across four local municipalities, and the selection process is rigorous: shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments, one practical and one integrity-based, both of which form part of the interview scoring. The final appointment is also subject to background vetting, credential verification, and financial disclosure checks. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted; applicants who do not receive feedback within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. This is a career opportunity for a detail-oriented administrator who thrives in a student-centred, compliance-driven environment and who can maintain confidentiality while delivering efficient financial aid services.