Bursaries in South Africa 2026/2027: Latest Opportunities & How to Apply

Introduction

Paying for tertiary education is one of the biggest financial pressures facing South African families, and bursaries are one of the main ways students bridge that gap. A bursary is money awarded to help cover the cost of studying, usually given by a company, government department, university, foundation, financial institution or professional body that wants to invest in future graduates.

Every bursary is different. Some cover full tuition, accommodation and a monthly allowance. Others cover only part of your tuition fees. Some are open to Grade 12 learners about to start university, while others are only for students already registered at a specific institution. Because of this, it’s worth reading each bursary’s requirements carefully rather than assuming they all work the same way.

Below, we explain how bursaries work, who can apply, what they typically cover, how to apply correctly, and how to spot a scam — followed by a list of the bursaries currently published on MojaMzansi.

What Is a Bursary?

A bursary is financial support given to a student to help pay for their studies. It’s different from a student loan in one key way: a bursary generally doesn’t need to be repaid in cash the way a loan does.

That said, “doesn’t need to be repaid” doesn’t always mean “no obligations.” Many bursaries, especially those offered by companies, come with a condition: once you graduate, you may be expected to work for the sponsoring company for a set number of years, equal to however long they funded you. If you don’t complete that work-back period, some bursary contracts do require you to repay some or all of the funding. This is not true of every bursary, but it’s common enough that you should always read the terms before signing anything.

Bursaries are typically offered by:

• Private companies (as part of their skills development or corporate social investment programmes)
• Government departments and state-owned entities
• Universities and TVET colleges
• Charitable foundations and trusts
• Banks and other financial institutions
• Professional bodies (such as accounting or engineering associations)

Organisations fund bursaries for different reasons — some want to build a pipeline of skilled graduates for their own industry, others are addressing specific skills shortages in the country, and some are purely philanthropic. Understanding who’s behind a bursary can help you judge whether it’s a good fit for your goals, not just your finances.

Who Can Apply for Bursaries?

Bursary eligibility varies a lot from one opportunity to the next, so there’s no single set of requirements that applies across the board. That said, most bursaries in South Africa will ask about some combination of the following:

• Citizenship or residency — most bursaries require South African citizenship, though some also accept permanent residents
• Study stage — some bursaries are aimed at Matric learners about to start their first year, others only accept students already registered at a university or TVET college, and some accept both
• Field of study — many bursaries are tied to a specific degree or diploma (engineering, accounting, IT, and so on), while others are open to any field
• Academic performance — a minimum average, or minimum marks in specific subjects like Maths or English, is common
• Household income — need-based bursaries often set an income threshold for the applicant’s household
• Institution — some bursaries only fund students at specific universities or a list of approved institutions
• Residency in a specific province or district — municipal and some regional bursaries are limited to residents of that area

Because these requirements differ so much, don’t rule yourself out — or assume you automatically qualify — without reading the specific bursary’s page first.

What Can a Bursary Cover?

A bursary’s funding package depends entirely on the organisation offering it. Some of the expenses a bursary might cover include:

• Tuition fees
• Registration fees
• Accommodation (in residence or private housing)
• Prescribed books and learning materials
• Meals
• Transport
• A monthly living allowance
• Other study-related costs, such as a laptop or data

Not every bursary covers all of these. Some, like SANAS’s external bursary, are explicit that they fund tuition only. Others, like larger corporate bursaries, may cover the full cost of study plus extras like mentoring or vacation work. Always check the individual bursary listing to see exactly what’s included before you factor it into your budget.

How to Apply for a Bursary

Step 1: Find a bursary that matches you

Start with your field of study, your current academic year, and your household circumstances. Applying for bursaries you clearly don’t qualify for wastes time you could spend on ones that fit.

Step 2: Read the full requirements

Don’t apply just because a bursary is open. Go through the eligibility criteria properly — subject minimums, citizenship, institution list — before you start the application.

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Most applications ask for supporting documents (see the checklist below). Start gathering these early, since some — like certified copies or affidavits — take time to organise.

Step 4: Complete the application correctly

Fill in your personal and academic details accurately. Small errors, like a mismatched ID number or an out-of-date results slip, are a common reason applications get rejected.

Step 5: Submit before the closing date

Don’t wait until the last day. Servers slow down, forms glitch, and offices don’t always answer queries instantly when everyone applies at once close to the deadline.

Step 6: Keep proof of submission

Save your confirmation email, application reference number, or a screenshot of the submitted form. If there’s ever a dispute about whether you applied on time, this is your evidence.

Documents You May Need

Requirements vary by bursary, so treat this as a general checklist rather than a fixed list every application will ask for:

• South African ID document
• Matric certificate (if you’ve completed Grade 12)
• Latest school or academic results
• Full academic transcript (for current students)
• Proof of registration or admission at your institution
• Proof of household income (payslips, an affidavit, or financial statements, depending on your parents’ employment status)
• Supporting documents from a parent or guardian, where required
• Proof of residence
• A CV, where the bursary asks for one

Always check the specific bursary’s listing before assuming which documents you’ll need — and note that many bursaries require certified copies that are no older than three months, so leave time to get documents certified at a police station or Commissioner of Oaths.

How to Choose the Right Bursary

If you qualify for more than one bursary, it’s worth comparing them properly instead of applying to everything you see. Consider:

• Field of study — does it match what you’re planning to study?
• Academic requirements — are you comfortably above the minimum, or right on the line?
• Institution requirements — is your university or college on their approved list?
• Funding coverage — does it cover tuition only, or the full cost of studying?
• Household income requirements — do you meet the threshold, if there is one?
• Application deadline — do you have enough time to prepare a strong application?
• Study level — first-year only, or open to returning students too?
• Additional conditions — is there a work-back obligation after graduation, and are you comfortable with it?

Taking the time to compare properly usually leads to a stronger, more complete application than applying broadly and hoping something sticks.

Avoid Bursary Scams

Bursary season also brings out scammers who prey on students under financial pressure. Some warning signs to watch for:

• Any request for payment to “secure,” “process,” or “activate” a bursary — legitimate bursaries do not charge applicants
• Application links shared only through WhatsApp or social media, with no matching listing on the organisation’s official website
• Email addresses that don’t match the organisation’s official domain
• Requests for banking PINs, OTPs, or online banking login details — no bursary provider needs these
• Promises of “guaranteed” funding before you’ve even submitted an application
• Pressure to act immediately or lose the opportunity

If something feels off, don’t submit your documents. Rather go directly to the organisation’s official website or contact them through a verified channel to confirm the opportunity is real before applying.

Latest Bursaries in South Africa on MojaMzansi

Below are current bursary opportunities published on MojaMzansi. Click through to each one to see the full requirements, what it covers, the closing date, and the official application link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay a bursary? Generally, no — a bursary is financial support rather than a loan. Some bursaries do come with conditions, such as working for the sponsoring company for a set period after graduation, and may require repayment if that condition isn’t met. Always check the specific bursary’s terms.

Can Grade 12 learners apply for bursaries? Yes, many bursaries accept prospective first-year students who are still in Grade 12. Eligibility differs by bursary, so check whether the one you’re interested in accepts Matric applicants.

Can university students apply? Yes, where the individual bursary allows currently registered students to apply. Some bursaries are first-year only, while others accept returning students too.

What marks do I need? This varies by bursary. Some set a general average, others set specific minimums for subjects like Maths or English. Check the requirements section of each listing.

Can I apply for more than one bursary? Generally yes, as long as you meet each bursary’s individual requirements. Just be aware that if you’re awarded more than one, you may be asked to choose between them.

What happens after I apply? The organisation typically reviews applications, shortlists candidates against their criteria, and may contact you for additional information or an interview. If you haven’t heard back by the date they specify, it’s reasonable to follow up through their official contact channel.

Where should I apply? Always use the official application method listed in the specific bursary post — this might be an online portal, an email address, or a link to the organisation’s own website.