Bursaries for 2027 in South Africa
by FundiConnect Editorial Team | · Last updated
Bursaries for 2027 in South Africa
South African students can apply for bursaries from several funding sources for the 2027 academic year:
Government funding: NSFAS (for students from households earning under R350,000 per year), the Funza Lushaka Bursary (for teaching students) and the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary (Western Cape engineering and built environment students — closing 31 August 2026)
"Missing middle" funding: ISFAP (for students who earn too much for NSFAS but still can't afford university — closes 31 October 2026)
Multi-funder programmes: StudyTrust (one application covering Amazon, Standard Bank, Santam, Toyota and more — most close 30 September 2026)
Corporate bursaries: Sappi, Transnet, Old Mutual and others
Development finance: The IDC External Bursary (STEM, Commerce and Law — closes 30 September 2026)
At a Glance: 2027 Bursary Comparison
Bursary | Fields | Application Window | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
All fields (public universities & TVETs) | Expected Sep–Nov 2026 | ||
High-demand fields, "missing middle" | Open now, closes 31 Oct 2026 | ||
Multiple fields (Amazon, Standard Bank, Santam, Toyota & more) | Open now, most close 30 Sep 2026 | ||
Teaching (B.Ed.) | Expected Oct 2026 | ||
Engineering, Forestry Science | Open now, closes 30 Sep 2026 | ||
Engineering, Built Environment (Western Cape) | Open now, closes 31 Aug 2026 | ||
STEM, Commerce, Law | Open now, closes 30 Sep 2026 | ||
Actuarial Science | Open now, closes 30 Sep 2026 | ||
Engineering, IT, Supply Chain | Check site for 2027 dates | ||
Eskom | Engineering | Watch for 2027 dates |
NSFAS
NSFAS is the largest bursary programme in South Africa, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, learning materials and a personal care allowance for eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges.
Who qualifies: South African citizens with a combined household income of R350,000 or less per year (R600,000 for students with disabilities or from SASSA-grant households).
When to apply: Applications for 2027 are expected to open between September and November 2026 at my.nsfas.org.za.
For full eligibility details, see FundiConnect's NSFAS guide and our 10 NSFAS FAQs. For contact details, visit our NSFAS contact page.
ISFAP (Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme)
ISFAP is one of the most important bursaries for students who earn too much to qualify for NSFAS but still can't afford university — the so-called "missing middle." It covers a wide range of study-related costs and includes wrap-around support like mentorship, tutoring and academic coaching.
Who qualifies: South African citizens from households earning up to R600,000 per year, enrolled in approved programmes at partner public universities in high-demand fields including Engineering, Health Sciences, Commerce, IT, Education, Law and Social Sciences.
What it covers: Tuition, accommodation, meals, learning materials and a monthly living allowance.
Deadline: 31 October 2026.
Apply at applyonline.isfap.org.za
StudyTrust Bursaries
StudyTrust is a registered educational trust that administers bursaries and scholarships on behalf of more than 20 South African and international companies, foundations and private donors. The biggest advantage of applying through StudyTrust is the single-application model — one application puts you in the running for every programme you qualify for.
Applications opened 1 June 2026 and most close 30 September 2026.
StudyTrust's 2027 programmes include:
Recruitment bursaries (with work-back obligation):
Amazon Recruitment Bursary — technology fields including Computer Science and Software Engineering
Standard Bank Group Bursary — commerce, mathematics, engineering, agriculture, technology and data science
Santam Bursary — insurance, risk management, actuarial science and related fields
Toyota SA Motors Bursary — engineering and technical fields
Scholarships (no work-back):
Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust SA Bursary — IT and networking
DEC Trust Bursary for Students with Disabilities — new for 2027
Skills development bursaries:
AWS Skills Development Bursary — cloud computing
Apply at studytrust.org.za/bursary-applications
Funza Lushaka Bursary (Teaching)
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a Department of Basic Education programme that funds students pursuing B.Ed. degrees in priority teaching subjects at public universities. Applications for 2027 are expected to open around October 2026.
Who qualifies: South African citizens under 30, accepted into an approved B.Ed. programme specialising in at least two priority shortage subjects. Note that PGCE was not funded in 2026 — check the 2027 Application Notes for confirmation when published.
Priority subjects funded: South African Indigenous Languages, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and other shortage areas, depending on province.
Subjects not funded (oversupplied): History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Life Orientation, Physical Education.
What it covers: Tuition, accommodation, books, meals, teaching practice costs and a monthly living allowance.
Service obligation: Graduates must apply for a teaching post in a public school within six months of completing their qualification.
Apply at eservices.gov.za when the 2027 window opens. The 2026 cycle opened 7 October 2025 and closed 1 February 2026 for new applicants.
For more, see FundiConnect's Funza Lushaka guide.
Sappi Engineering Bursary Programme
Sappi offers undergraduate bursaries for engineering and forestry science students. Applications for 2027 are currently open and close 30 September 2026.
Who qualifies: South African citizens aged 18–25, studying full-time at an accredited SA university. Preference given to students from communities near Sappi operations.
Fields: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering and Forestry and Wood Science (BSc or BEng).
What it covers: Tuition, accommodation, prescribed textbooks and a living allowance. Includes vacation work placements every July and December, with a pathway into Sappi's Engineer-in-Training programme after graduation.
Contact: youngtalent@sappi.com | 011 407 8111
Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme (Western Cape)
The Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme is a Western Cape Government initiative for engineering and built environment students at institutions in the Western Cape. Applications close 31 August 2026 — act quickly.
Who qualifies: South African citizens studying at UCT, Stellenbosch or CPUT. Priority given to women, students with disabilities, students from rural communities and disadvantaged learners.
Fields: Civil Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Property Studies, Geomatics, Town Planning.
What it covers: Tuition, support programmes, accommodation, meals and transport, plus internship and employment placement assistance after graduation.
Contact: 021 483 9545 | DoIBursary@westerncape.gov.za
IDC External Bursary Scheme
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) funds undergraduate students across STEM, Commerce and Law. The 2027 window is currently open and closes 30 September 2026.
Who qualifies: South African citizens under 26, unemployed with demonstrated financial need. Household income up to R350,000 per year (R350k–R600k considered on affordability). Matric applicants need a minimum 75% average; tertiary students need 65% minimum with a 60% GPA. First preference for applicants with disabilities and students from Quintile 1–3 schools.
Fields: A broad range including Engineering, Chemistry, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Computer Science, IT, Accounting (CA), Financial Management, Law, Supply Chain, Environmental Science and more.
What it covers: Full tuition, university accommodation, a one-time laptop, meal allowance and transport allowance.
Apply at protected.idc.co.za/BursaryPortal
Contact: ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za | 011 269 3374
Old Mutual Actuarial Bursary
Old Mutual funds Actuarial Science students with a guaranteed employment offer on graduation. Applications are currently open and typically close 30 September.
Who qualifies: South African citizens with at least 80% in Mathematics and 60% in English (HL) or 70% (FAL), accepted at one of Old Mutual's partner universities (UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, UFS, NWU, UKZN or UJ).
What it covers: Full tuition, accommodation and meals, books, a general allowance, travel allowance, performance incentives, vacation work and guaranteed employment after graduation.
Apply at oldmutual.co.za/careers/actuarial-bursary
Transnet Bursary Programme
Transnet funds students in engineering, IT and supply chain fields. Check transnet.net for confirmed 2027 application dates.
Technical fields: Industrial, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Computer, Civil, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics.
Non-technical fields: Data Analytics, Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Supply Chain, Environmental Management, Property Valuation.
Service obligation: One year of service for every year of financial aid received.
Apply at bursaryconnect.transnet.net
Eskom Bursary Programme
Eskom offers bursaries for engineering students at South African public universities and universities of technology. Watch eskom.co.za directly for 2027 application announcements, as their bursary pages are subject to change.
More Bursaries to Explore
These providers also run active bursary programmes for South African students. Visit each official website for 2027 application details:
Anglo American — engineering and mining bursaries with work-back obligation
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation — fellowship programme for entrepreneurially minded students at partner universities
Where to Find All Available Bursaries for 2027
The bursaries listed above are just some of the funding opportunities available to South African students for the 2027 academic year. New bursaries open throughout the year, with different eligibility requirements, closing dates, and fields of study.
If you're still searching for funding, visit Bursaries.co.za to browse a comprehensive database of bursaries across South Africa. You can search by field of study, province, or funding provider, making it easier to find opportunities that match your academic goals and career aspirations.
Visit Bursaries.co.za to learn more.
Remember to apply for as many bursaries as you qualify for, and always submit your applications before the closing date.
Interested in getting a study loan to fund your tuition, books, accommodation and more? Click on the ad below to apply!
The FundiConnect Editorial Team researches, writes, and maintains comprehensive guides on South African higher education, bursaries, NSFAS funding, and career development. Our content is verified against official institutional sources, DHET publications, and direct admissions office communications to ensure accuracy for students navigating their post-school journey.
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