By the jobsspace editorial team | Last updated: October 2026

Paying for tertiary study is the biggest barrier for many South African students, but thousands of bursaries are awarded every year by government, companies, SETAs and foundations. A bursary can cover tuition, accommodation, books and living allowances, and many also lead directly to a job after graduation.

This guide explains the main types of bursaries available for the 2027 academic year, who qualifies, which fields have the strongest funding, what documents you need, how to apply step by step, and how to avoid the scams that target students every year.

Quick answer: Start with NSFAS if your household income is low, then apply to as many corporate, SETA and provincial bursaries as you qualify for. Apply early, submit complete documents and never pay a fee to apply for a bursary.

Types of Bursaries in South Africa

Government Funding

NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme): NSFAS funds eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges. It is based on financial need, and applicants must be South African citizens meeting the household income requirement. The income threshold has changed over the years, so confirm the current figure on the official NSFAS website before you apply.

Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme: Offered through the Department of Basic Education to students training to become teachers in priority subjects. Recipients usually have to work in public schools for a period after qualifying.

Provincial and municipal bursaries: Provincial departments of health, education and agriculture, as well as some municipalities, offer bursaries in fields where they need skilled staff, such as nursing, medicine and engineering.

Corporate Bursaries

Banks, mining houses, telecoms, utilities, insurers and engineering firms regularly offer bursaries to students in fields that match their business. Examples of organisations that have offered bursaries in recent years include Eskom, Transnet, Sasol, Anglo American, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Absa, Vodacom, MTN and Telkom. Availability, fields and closing dates change every year, so check each company website directly.

Corporate bursaries often come with work-back obligations, which means you work for the company for a set period after graduating.

SETA Bursaries

Sector Education and Training Authorities fund study in their industries. Examples include sectors for manufacturing and engineering, banking and insurance, health and welfare, agriculture, construction and information technology. Check the SETA that matches your field for current opportunities.

Professional Body and Foundation Bursaries

Some professional bodies and foundations fund students in specific fields. The Thuthuka Bursary Fund, for example, supports aspiring chartered accountants. Foundations and trusts also offer funding based on academic merit, leadership or financial need.

University Bursaries

Universities award their own bursaries and scholarships for academic achievement, sports, leadership and need. Check the financial aid or bursary office of the institution you want to attend.

Comparison of Bursary Types

Type	Based on	What it usually covers	Work-back obligation	Best for
NSFAS	Financial need	Tuition, plus allowances for eligible students	Funding converted to a loan only in specific circumstances, check NSFAS rules	Low-income students at public institutions
Funza Lushaka	Teaching in priority subjects	Tuition and living costs	Yes, teach in public schools	Future teachers
Corporate bursaries	Marks, field of study, sometimes need	Tuition, books, accommodation, sometimes allowances	Often yes	High achievers in skills-shortage fields
SETA bursaries	Industry skills needs	Varies by SETA	Varies	Students in specific sectors
Provincial and municipal	Local skills needs	Varies	Often yes	Students willing to work in their province
University awards	Merit, sport, leadership, need	Partial or full fees	Usually no	Strong academic or sporting students

Fields With the Strongest Bursary Support

Funders concentrate on fields where South Africa has skills shortages. The strongest options are usually found in:

• Engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, mining and industrial)
• Information technology and computer science
• Accounting, auditing and actuarial science
• Health sciences, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy and radiography
• Teaching, especially maths, science, technology and foundation phase
• Agriculture and environmental sciences
• Mining, geology and metallurgy
• Law and finance

If you study in a field with fewer bursaries, such as some humanities subjects, look at university awards, foundations and employer sponsorship.

Who Qualifies?

Requirements vary, but most bursaries ask for some combination of the following.

• South African citizenship, with a valid ID
• Strong academic results, often 60 to 70 percent or higher in key subjects
• Admission or planned admission to an accredited institution and programme
• Financial need, for need-based funds
• A subject combination that fits your chosen field, such as maths and physical science for engineering
• A clean disciplinary record and, for some employers, willingness to relocate or work in specific areas

Important: Read the eligibility section of each bursary advertisement carefully. Applying without meeting the stated requirements wastes your time and can count against you when you apply to the same organisation again.

Documents You Will Need

Having these ready before applications open lets you apply quickly.

1. Certified copy of your South African ID
2. Latest school results (Grade 11 final or Grade 12 trial or final, or your most recent university results)
3. Proof of acceptance or application to your institution, where required
4. Parents’ or guardians’ ID copies and proof of income, such as payslips, a SASSA letter or an affidavit
5. Proof of residence
6. Motivation letter explaining why you deserve the bursary
7. Updated CV, if the funder asks for it
8. Certified copies of any leadership, sport or community service certificates

Use copies where allowed and keep the originals safe. Some funders still require recently certified copies, so check the instructions.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Make a list. Note down every bursary that matches your field, marks and province. Include opening and closing dates.
2. Start early. Many bursaries open during the middle of the year and close between roughly September and January. Dates differ widely, so check each one.
3. Prepare your documents. Scan and name your files clearly so you can upload them quickly.
4. Write a strong motivation letter. Explain your background, your goals, why you chose your field and how you will give back. Keep it honest and specific.
5. Complete the application form carefully. Incomplete or inaccurate forms are rejected.
6. Submit before the deadline. Aim to submit at least a week before closing in case of website or network problems.
7. Keep a record. Save confirmation emails or reference numbers.
8. Follow up politely. If the funder gives a notification date and you have not heard back, contact them through the official channel.
9. Apply for more than one. Apply to every bursary you qualify for, as competition is strong.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Keep your marks as high as possible. Strong results are the single biggest advantage.
• Show leadership and community involvement, such as being a prefect, tutor, team captain or volunteer.
• Tailor each motivation letter instead of sending the same one everywhere.
• Use a professional email address and answer calls and emails from funders quickly.
• Be ready for interviews. Practise explaining why you chose your field and what you plan to do after graduating.
• If you are rejected, ask whether you can reapply next year and keep applying.

Beware of Bursary Scams

Warning: Genuine bursaries never charge a fee to apply. Be suspicious of anyone who asks for payment, requests your banking PIN or full banking details, or promises a bursary “guaranteed” in return for money. Apply only through the funder’s official website or recognised application portals, and report suspicious advertisements to the funder and the relevant authorities.

Before sharing personal documents, confirm that the bursary is advertised on the organisation’s real website and that the email address matches the organisation’s domain.

What Happens After You Win a Bursary?

Read your bursary contract carefully. Check these points before signing.

• What the bursary covers, and what it does not
• The academic performance you must maintain, usually including a minimum pass rate
• Any work-back period and where you may be placed
• What happens if you fail, change course or leave the programme
• Whether you must repay any money if you break the conditions

Keep your marks up and communicate early with the funder if you face problems, because many will help you find solutions if you ask in time.

Career Ladder: From Bursary Student to Professional

1. Student: Bursary holder completing your qualification, often with vacation work
2. Graduate: Graduate trainee or intern, frequently with the bursary company
3. Professional: Qualified practitioner, technician, teacher or analyst after your work-back period
4. Senior: Team leader, manager, specialist or entrepreneur using your qualification and experience

Many bursary holders move into permanent positions with their funders, which gives them a strong start to their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do bursaries for 2027 open and close?

It differs from one bursary to the next. Many open in the middle of the year and close between roughly September and the start of the new year, while some stay open longer. Check each funder’s official website for exact dates.

Can I apply for a bursary if I am already studying?

Yes. Many funders accept applications from current students, particularly those with strong marks in their first or second year. Some opportunities are open only to first-year students, so read the requirements.

Do I have to pay back a bursary?

It depends. Many bursaries require you to work for the funder for a period after graduating, and some require repayment if you fail to meet the conditions. NSFAS also has rules about when funding may convert to a loan. Always read the contract.

Can I apply for more than one bursary?

Yes, and you should. You can apply to as many as you qualify for, though you may have to choose one if several funders offer you full funding. Check each contract before accepting.

What if my marks are not high enough?

Look at bursaries that prioritise financial need or specific skills shortages, apply to university financial aid offices, and consider TVET colleges, learnerships and SETA programmes, which often have lower entry requirements.

Are there bursaries for students with disabilities?

Yes. NSFAS and several corporate and government funders have dedicated opportunities or higher support limits for students with disabilities. Check each funder’s requirements and the supporting documents they need.

Final Thoughts

Bursaries can change the course of your life, but they reward preparation. Start your research early, build a document folder, write honest and focused motivation letters and apply widely. With persistence and a clear plan, you give yourself the best chance of getting your studies funded.

Explore more bursaries, learnerships, jobs and career guides at jobsspace.co.za.