Legal & Compliance

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 6 November 2026

1. Overview & POPIA Commitment

Bursela (https://bursela.co.za) is committed to protecting the privacy of students, parents, educators, and visitors who use our South African bursary and scholarship directory. We process personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013) ("POPIA") and applicable data protection standards.

2. Information We Collect

You can browse, search, filter, bookmark bursaries, and use our document checklists without creating an account or submitting personal details. Depending on how you interact with Bursela, the following information may be processed:

  • Local Browser Storage (`localStorage`): When you bookmark bursaries to your Saved shortlist or tick items on a Required Documents checklist, those preferences are stored locally in your own web browser (`localStorage`) on your device and are not transmitted to third parties.
  • Account Information (Optional): If you choose to register an account, we collect your username and email address solely to provide account functionality.
  • Standard Log & Technical Data: Like most websites, our servers automatically record basic technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, referring/exit pages, and timestamps to maintain security, prevent abuse, and diagnose technical issues.

3. Cookies & Google AdSense Advertising

We use cookies and similar web technologies to ensure the site functions properly and to fund our free research service through advertising:

  • Essential Cookies: Used by Django for security (such as CSRF protection and session integrity).
  • Google AdSense & DoubleClick DART Cookie: Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to Bursela or other websites on the internet.
  • Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve advertisements to our users based on their visit to Bursela and/or other sites on the Internet.
  • Users may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or by visiting www.aboutads.info.

4. External Links to Funder Websites

Bursela provides direct links to external websites operated by universities, government departments, SETAs, corporate sponsors, and scholarship trusts (such as NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, StudyTrust, and Career Wise). When you click "Apply on funder site" or follow an external link, you leave Bursela and are subject to the privacy policy and terms of that external organisation. We encourage you to verify that you are on the official funder website before submitting sensitive identity or financial documents.

5. How We Protect Your Information

We enforce HTTPS encryption across our platform, restrict administrative access, and never sell or rent personal information to third parties. Remember that legitimate South African bursary providers never charge an application fee—do not share banking PINs or pay anyone promising guaranteed bursary placement.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), South African residents have the right to:

  • Request confirmation of whether we hold personal information about you;
  • Request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information;
  • Object to the processing of your personal information; and
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) (https://inforegulator.org.za/).

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, operational, or regulatory changes. Any updates will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.