The study examined in what ways and to what extent Non-Governmental Organizations help students gain access to tertiary education to South Africa. Non-Governmental organizations have supported students financially and otherwise to study in higher or tertiary education. These students were selected in various ways by each organization. Each organization had its own method and means of support. Of the numerous organizations that provide funding for African students in South Africa, only three were selected for the study. The selection of the three organizations was based on the length of time they have been serving and their size based on the number of students they support per year.
Employing qualitative research methods, this investigation provided an opportunity for deeper and better understanding of the functions and linkages among Non-Governmental (bursar) Organizations, tertiary education institutions, the community, and students. Students were interviewed about the organizations that provided funding for their education, tertiary educational institutions were interviewed about funded students and their organizations, and high school principals were interviewed about their knowledge of the functions of scholarship (bursar) organizations.
Analysis of the three organizations found that there was loose-coupling between high schools and non-governmental scholarship organizations. Most high school students did not know about the organizations. The loose-coupling between tertiary educational institutions and nongovernmental organizations served a purpose at that time. Understandably, these were non-governmental organizations providing funding for students in governmentally controlled tertiary educational institutions.
One major implication for further research is the selection of students who receive the funding and their responsibility toward the organizations that funded them. This study provides information that can be used as a stepping stone toward the study of Non-Governmental Organizations by educational reformers, curriculum developers, and policy makers who are advocating better ways of funding students in tertiary education.
