Bursaries in South Africa for 2026
South African students can access bursaries from three main sources: NSFAS (government funding for students from low-income households), the Funza Lushaka Bursary (for teaching students), and corporate bursary programmes from employers like Sasol, Vodacom, and Transnet.
The table below summarises the major bursaries. Detailed information on each follows. If you are still deciding where to study, see our guide to South African universities and colleges.
Bursary Comparison Table
| Bursary | Provider | Fields of Study | Income Threshold | 2026 Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSFAS (DHET Bursary Scheme) | Government (DHET) | All fields at public universities and TVET colleges | R350,000/year (R600,000 for disability) | Closed for 2026 |
| Funza Lushaka | Dept. of Basic Education | Teaching (B.Ed. only — PGCE excluded in 2026) | No income threshold | Closed (closed 1 Feb 2026 for new applicants) |
| IDC External Bursary | Industrial Development Corporation | STEM, Commerce, Law | R600,000/year | Closed (closed 30 Sep 2025) |
| Vodacom Bursary | Vodacom | STEM | Not specified | Closed — next intake opens June 2026 for 2027 |
| Sasol Bursary | Sasol | STEM (Engineering, Chemistry) | Not specified | Open: 1 Apr – 17 May 2026 (for 2027 study) |
| Old Mutual Actuarial Bursary | Old Mutual | Actuarial Science | Not specified | Closed — next cycle typically opens June |
| Transnet Bursary | Transnet | Engineering, IT, Supply Chain, Data Analytics | Not specified | Check transnet.net for 2026 dates |
| Eskom Bursary | Eskom | Engineering | Not specified | 2026 bursaries already awarded — watch eskom.co.za for 2027 applications |
NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)
NSFAS provides fully subsidised funding for students at public universities and TVET colleges through the DHET Bursary Scheme. Applications for 2026 funding are closed. Students can check their funding status on the myNSFAS portal. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our 2026 NSFAS application guide.
Who Qualifies for NSFAS?
- South African citizens or permanent residents
- Combined gross household income not exceeding R350,000 per year (or R600,000 for students with disabilities)
- SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify
- Must be studying at a public university or TVET college
- Must have a valid email address and cellphone number
What Does NSFAS Cover?
University students:
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full tuition (actual university costs) |
| Accommodation | Actual university accommodation costs |
| Transport | R7,500 per year (up to 40 km from campus) |
| Living allowance | R15,000 per year |
| Books and learning materials | R5,200 per year |
| Personal care (catered residences) | R2,900 per year |
TVET college students:
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | R15,750–R24,000 per year (varies by location) |
| Transport | R7,000–R7,350 per year |
| Personal care | R2,900 per year |
Note: Students receive either the transport or accommodation allowance — not both. Amounts above are from the published DHET Bursary Scheme page and may be adjusted for 2026 pending budget finalisation.
NSFAS Loan Scheme (Income R350,001–R600,000)
Students with combined household income between R350,001 and R600,000 may qualify for the NSFAS loan scheme. Key conditions:
- Funding split: 70% for STEM fields, 30% for humanities/social sciences
- Minimum 60% pass rate required to maintain funding
- Students who maintain 70% or higher throughout their programme can convert 50% of the loan to a bursary
How to Apply for NSFAS
Applications for 2026 are closed. The application window typically opens around September each year. Apply at my.nsfas.org.za.
Required documents:
- Consent form (authorises NSFAS to verify information)
- Declaration form (for applicants 34 years or younger)
- Disability annexure with medical report (if applicable)
- Orphan or vulnerable child declaration (if applicable under 18)
If rejected: You can appeal through the NSFAS portal by reviewing your rejection reasons and submitting supporting documentation.
Contact: Toll-free 08000 67327 | Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Funza Lushaka Bursary (Teaching)
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a Department of Basic Education programme that funds students pursuing teaching qualifications at public universities. Applications for 2026 are closed (new applicants closed 1 February 2026). For application details, see our Funza Lushaka bursary application guide.
Eligibility
- South African citizens with a valid SA ID card
- Under 30 years old (must be 29 or turning 30 before 1 October)
- Must not already hold a teaching qualification
- Must be accepted into an approved B.Ed. degree programme specialising in at least two priority subject areas
- PGCE is NOT funded in 2026
- No criminal record (applicants must clear checks with SAPS, DOJCS, and DSD)
Funded Programmes
- 4-year B.Ed. in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) — Grade RR–R
- 4-year B.Ed. in Foundation Phase (Grade R–3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4–6), or Senior and FET Phase (Grade 7–12)
Priority Subjects (Funded)
Funza Lushaka funds subjects identified by provinces as shortage areas. It predominantly funds South African Indigenous Languages and Afrikaans in Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape. A small number of English prospective teachers are also funded.
Subjects NOT funded (oversupply): History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, EMS, Life Orientation, Physical Education
Subjects NOT funded (low uptake): Religious Studies, Music, Dance, Art
What the Bursary Covers
The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, books, meals, teaching practice costs, and a monthly living allowance.
Service Obligation
After graduating, bursary holders must apply for a teaching post in public schools within six months and provide evidence of applications. There is no preferential placement — all graduates compete equally for positions.
How to Apply
Apply online at www.eservices.gov.za (not the Funza Lushaka website directly). Applications for 2026 opened 7 October 2025 and closed 1 February 2026 for new applicants.
IDC External Bursary Scheme
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) funds undergraduate students in STEM, Commerce, and Law fields at South African public universities.
Eligibility
- South African citizens, not older than 26
- Unemployed with demonstrated financial need
- First qualification and undergraduate studies only (postgraduate limited to Law, CA, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics)
- Combined household income up to R600,000 per year (affordability assessment for R350,000–R600,000 range)
- Admitted to a South African public university or university of technology
- Matriculants: minimum 75% average; tertiary students: minimum 65% average, must maintain 60% GPA
- First preference for applicants with disabilities and students from Quintile 1–3 schools
Fields of Study
Finance/Management: Accounting (CA), Financial Management, Internal Audit, Cost and Management Accounting, Investment Management, Risk Management, Transport/Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance Studies, Economics, Econometrics, Business Management, Financial Accounting, Financial Engineering
STEM: Industrial, Chemical, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Mining, Civil/Construction Engineering, Quantity Survey, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Agricultural Studies, Geology, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Environmental Science, Physics, Computer Science, IT, Mathematics, Statistics, Biotechnology
Law: BCom Law, LLB, Diploma Law Studies
Coverage
- Full tuition fees
- University accommodation (on-campus or accredited off-campus)
- Laptop (one-time)
- Meal allowance
- Transport allowance
Application
Applications for 2026 are closed (window: 1 June – 30 September 2025). Apply at protected.idc.co.za/BursaryPortal.
Contact: Noluthando Baepi, 011 269 3374 | ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za
Vodacom Bursary Programme
Vodacom offers full bursaries for undergraduate STEM students at accredited South African tertiary institutions.
Eligibility
- South African citizen by birth
- Full-time undergraduate studies
- Grade 12 with exemption, 70% or higher across all subjects
- Minimum 65% average if entering first year or above
- Field: STEM
Coverage
- Full registration and tuition
- Full university accommodation (or capped private accommodation amount)
- Textbook allocation
- Meal allowance
- Laptop and cellphone
- Vacation work placement programme
- Work readiness training for final-year students
- Wellness programme (ICAS) access
Application
Applications for 2026 intake are closed. The next intake opens June 2026 for 2027 enrolment — check vodacom.com/bursary-programme for updates.
Sasol Bursary Programme
Sasol provides bursaries for STEM students, particularly in engineering and chemistry disciplines.
Eligibility
- South African citizens by birth, residing permanently in South Africa
- Grade 12 learners or currently studying towards an applicable degree
- Excellent marks in STEM subjects
Coverage
Tuition and living allowance, plus psychosocial support.
Application
Applications for 2027 study are open from 1 April 2026 to 17 May 2026. Apply at www.sasolbursaries.com. Outcomes communicated by end of September 2026.
Old Mutual Actuarial Bursary
Old Mutual funds students studying Actuarial Science, with guaranteed employment on graduation.
Eligibility
- South African citizen
- Studying Actuarial Science at a South African university
Coverage
- Full tuition, accommodation with meals
- General and books allowance
- Travel allowance (where applicable)
- Performance incentives
- Guaranteed employment on graduation
- Vacation work experience at Old Mutual
Application
Applications typically open June and close 30 September each year. Selection includes assessment, digital application, and live video interview. Visit oldmutual.co.za/careers/actuarial-bursary for the latest dates.
Transnet Bursary Programme
Transnet funds students in engineering, IT, and supply chain fields.
Eligibility
- South African citizen
- Selected based on academic performance at secondary or tertiary level
Fields of Study
Technical: Industrial, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Computer, Civil, Electro-mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics
Non-technical: Data Analytics, Actuarial/Business Science, Horticulture, Property Valuation/Real Estate, Computer Science/Informatics, Cyber Security, Procurement, Supply Chain, Environmental Management
Required Documents
- Certified ID copy
- Matric certificate or recent academic records
- Acceptance letter or proof of registration
Service Obligation
One year of service for every year of financial aid received.
Application
Applications are submitted via the Transnet BMS Bursary Portal. Check transnet.net for current application dates.
Eskom Bursary Programme
Eskom offers bursaries for engineering students at South African public universities and universities of technology. The 2026 bursaries have already been awarded — Eskom held an award ceremony on 3 February 2026. Students interested in Eskom bursaries should watch for the 2027 application cycle.
Eskom’s bursary pages (eskom.co.za/careers/students/, eskom.co.za/careers/bursaries/, and web.eskom.co.za/student/) are currently offline (404). Students should check eskom.co.za periodically for announcements about 2027 bursary applications when they open.
Other Bursaries to Check
The following bursary providers also offer programmes for South African students. Visit each provider’s official website for current 2026/2027 application information:
- StudyTrust — administers multiple bursary programmes across various fields (studytrust.org.za)
- Absa — banking sector bursaries (check Absa corporate social investment page)
- Anglo American — engineering and mining bursaries with work-back obligation
- Shoprite Group — bursaries in Commerce, Computer Science, and Science
- France–South Africa Scholarship Programme — multi-field scholarships for study in France (campusfrance.org)
For a broader overview of funding options including loans and scholarships, see our bursaries, loans and scholarships guide.
