Last updated on July 2, 2026
The Allan Gray Scholarship is a high school scholarship programme for South African Grade 6 learners who show academic ability, financial need, and entrepreneurial potential. The programme is offered by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and is designed to help promising students access quality high school education while developing an entrepreneurial mindset.
For the 2027 high school intake, the official Allan Gray Orbis Foundation website says applications for the Grade 6 High School Scholarship Opportunity are open until 15 September 2026. This means Grade 6 learners apply in 2026 for possible placement and scholarship support from 2027, provided they meet the age, academic, citizenship, financial need, and selection requirements.
This guide explains who can apply, what the scholarship covers, the documents needed, how the application process works, and the common mistakes that can lead to disqualification.
Quick Glance
- Open to current Grade 6 learners in South Africa.
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- Learners must be 11 or 12 years old in Grade 6.
- At least 70% is required for both English and Mathematics.
- Applications are open until 15 September 2026.
Table of Contents
Is the Allan Gray Scholarship Open for 2027 Intake?
Yes. The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation says the Grade 6 High School Scholarship Opportunity is open until 15 September 2026 for the 2027 intake.
This means eligible Grade 6 students can apply for 2027 during the current cycle. Parents, guardians, teachers, and schools should not wait until the last week because the application requires supporting documents, school reports, income details, and signatures.
The scholarship application process is competitive. Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
Mahatma Gandhi
About the Allan Gray Scholarship Programme
The Allan Gray Scholarship Programme is a high school scholarship programme for young learners with entrepreneurial potential. According to the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, the programme supports learners who are curious, financially deserving, and able to perform well academically. Successful scholars receive funding to attend leading high schools in South Africa, along with support that develops their entrepreneurial mindset.
The scholarship is not only about paying school fees. It also includes mentorship, online learning, workshops, peer learning, and activities that help learners build confidence, leadership qualities, problem-solving skills, and a desire to create value.
The programme aims to produce scholars who can think entrepreneurially, work with others, and grow into future Allan Gray Fellows.
Who Qualifies for the Allan Gray Scholarship?
The Allan Gray Scholarship is mainly for current Grade 6 learners who are academically strong, financially deserving, and show signs of entrepreneurial thinking.
To qualify, the learner must meet the basic requirements set by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation.
Grades
The applicant must be a current Grade 6 learner in the year of application. For the 2026 application cycle, this means the learner must be in Grade 6 in 2026.
The scholarship process starts early because learners must go through assessments, interviews, and placement school interviews before the final scholarship award is confirmed.
Schools
The scholarship is for learners who may be placed at leading high schools in South Africa. The official programme page says scholarship recipients receive funding to enrol at leading high schools across the country.
Applicants should be willing to attend one of the placement schools approved through the programme. Some placements may include boarding, depending on the school and the learner’s situation.
Subjects
The scholarship is not limited to one specific subject stream. However, learners must perform well in English and Mathematics.
The official requirements state that applicants must obtain a minimum of 70% for both English and Mathematics.
This is important because the selection process includes an assessment in English and Mathematics for Grade 6.
Allan Gray Scholarship Requirements 2027
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation lists five main requirements for the Scholarship Programme.
Citizenship
The applicant must be a South African citizen.
This means the learner should have valid South African identification details and should be able to provide the required personal information during the application process.
School
The applicant must be a current Grade 6 learner in the year of application.
The learner’s school reports must clearly show the learner’s name, grade, school name, and marks.
Academic
The learner must obtain at least 70% for both English and Mathematics.
The application form also requires a certified copy of the Grade 5 fourth term report and Grade 6 second term report. The Foundation says failure to submit these reports can lead to automatic disqualification.
Financial Need
The learner must demonstrate financial need.
The application form asks for household income information and proof of income. If a parent or guardian is unemployed, the form says an original affidavit and three months of bank statements must be submitted.
Age
For the 2027 application cycle, the applicant must not be older than 12 and not younger than 11 in Grade 6. The official requirement states that applicants must be born in 2014 or 2015.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit the completed application and supporting documents. The application form says failure to submit all required documents and information will lead to disqualification.
The documents may include school reports, proof of income, parent or guardian information, legal guardianship documents where applicable, divorce decree where applicable, affidavits, and bank statements depending on the family situation.
Benefits of the Allan Gray Scholarship
The Allan Gray Scholarship offers both financial and developmental support.
According to the official programme page, the scholarship may cover:
- Tuition and boarding.
- Monthly allowance.
- Toiletries.
- Uniforms and casual clothing.
- Support for extramural activities.
- Stationery and textbooks.
The programme also offers development support such as:
- Workshops.
- Annual entrepreneurial conference.
- Online Learning Campus.
- Programme Officer mentorship.
- Access to a like-minded community.
- Entrepreneurial mindset development.
- Leadership development.
- Interactive online learning.
- Speakers and seminars.
This makes the Allan Gray Scholarship different from a normal school fee scholarship. It is built around long-term personal, academic, and entrepreneurial development.
Required Documents for Application
The exact documents can depend on the learner’s family situation, but applicants should prepare the following:
| Document | Why It Is Needed |
| Completed application form | Main application document |
| Certified Grade 5 fourth term report | Confirms past academic performance |
| Certified Grade 6 second term report | Confirms current academic performance |
| Parent or guardian income proof | Helps assess financial need |
| Three months bank statements | Required in certain income or unemployment cases |
| Affidavit | Needed if a parent or guardian is unemployed or if family details need explanation |
| Divorce decree | Required if parents are divorced |
| Proof of legal guardianship | Required if the learner has a legal guardian |
| Parent or guardian contact details | Used for communication and verification |
| Signed consent and declaration sections | Required for processing the application |
The application form also says applicants must include details of biological parents even if the learner does not live with them.
How to Apply for the Allan Gray Scholarship
Eligible learners can apply through the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation’s official application channels. The scholarship page provides an online application option and a downloadable application form.
Applicants should use the official Allan Gray Orbis Foundation website or Gray Matter application portal only. Be careful of fake pages or people asking for money.
The application form clearly states that the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation does not solicit funds from candidates.
Where Is the Application Form?
The application form is available through the official Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Scholarship Programme page. The same page also links to the online application option.
Applicants can apply online through Gray Matter or download the application form from the Foundation’s website.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The official Allan Gray Scholarship process includes several stages.
- Submit the application form and supporting documents.
- Shortlisted applicants write the Foundation assessment in English and Mathematics for Grade 6.
- Successful candidates are invited for interviews in early 2027.
- Recommended candidates are invited to placement schools for interviews.
- Candidates approved by the placement schools are awarded the Allan Gray Scholarship in May 2027.
- After the scholarship is awarded, the Foundation, placement school, and scholar’s custodian sign a Memorandum of Agreement.
This means the process does not end when the application is submitted. Learners must be ready for assessments, interviews, and placement school selection.
Application Deadlines
The current official deadline shown by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is 15 September 2026.
Late applications may not be accepted. The Foundation’s application guidance also says all required documentation must be submitted, and incomplete applications can lead to disqualification.
Parents and guardians should apply early to avoid delays with school reports, affidavits, bank statements, or signatures.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Many applications are rejected because of avoidable mistakes.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying when the learner is not in Grade 6.
- Not meeting the age requirement.
- Not achieving 70% in English and Mathematics.
- Submitting unclear or uncertified school reports.
- Leaving sections of the application form blank.
- Not submitting proof of income.
- Not submitting bank statements where required.
- Not providing an affidavit when a parent or guardian is unemployed.
- Not including biological parent details.
- Missing signatures.
- Sending an incomplete application.
- Ignoring interview or assessment invitations.
The application form warns that failure to submit required documentation can lead to disqualification. It also states that refusal to attend an interview and home visit can lead to disqualification.
Contact Allan Gray About the Scholarship
For official questions, applicants should contact the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation directly through the contact form on the Foundation’s website. The official contact page allows users to enquire about the Scholarship, Fellowship, Association, Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge, partnerships, and general enquiries.
Applicants should only rely on official Allan Gray Orbis Foundation channels for application instructions, forms, deadlines, and results.
Final Words
The Allan Gray Scholarship is a strong opportunity for Grade 6 learners in South Africa who are academically capable, financially deserving, and interested in entrepreneurship. It is one of the top scholarship programmes in the African continent.
Because the application requires school reports, income documents, signatures, and possible affidavits, parents and guardians should prepare early. A complete and accurate application gives the learner a better chance of moving forward to the assessment and interview stages.
FAQs
Is the Allan Gray bursary open for 2027?
The Allan Gray high school funding opportunity is officially called a scholarship, not a bursary. Applications are open for the 2027 intake, and eligible Grade 6 learners must apply by 15 September 2026.
Who is eligible for Allan Gray bursaries?
The Allan Gray high school funding opportunity is officially called the Allan Gray Scholarship. It is open to South African Grade 6 learners who show financial need, strong academic ability, and entrepreneurial potential. Applicants must meet the age requirement and achieve at least 70% in both English and Mathematics.
What subjects are supported in the Allan Gray Scholarship?
The scholarship supports high school education and is not limited to one subject field. However, applicants must perform well in English and Mathematics, and shortlisted candidates write an assessment in these subjects.
How much does Allan Gray cover?
The scholarship may cover tuition, boarding, monthly allowance, toiletries, uniforms, casual clothing, extramural support, stationery, and textbooks. It also includes mentorship and entrepreneurial development support.
Is the Allan Gray Scholarship for tertiary students too?
The Allan Gray Scholarship is for high school learners. Tertiary students should check the Allan Gray Fellowship Programme, which supports young achievers transitioning into university.
Is Allan Gray the same as NSFAS?
The Allan Gray Scholarship is separate from NSFAS. NSFAS mainly funds qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges, while the Allan Gray Scholarship supports selected Grade 6 learners for high school education.
Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.
