Bursaries in South Africa 2026: NSFAS, Funza Lushaka & Corporate Funding

Bursary Comparison Table

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.

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 (source):

TVET college students (source):

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 (source):

• 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).

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 areas of shortage. 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.

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.

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

Check transnet.net for current application dates. Applications are submitted via the Transnet BMS Bursary Portal.

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 are currently offline. Check eskom.co.za 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
• 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
• Campus France — France–South Africa Scholarship Programme for study in France