Applying for bursaries is stressful, but the process is simpler than it looks. Each entry below links to the official source and includes today's status so you can focus on the ones currently open.
NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)
ClosedThe biggest state-funded bursary in SA. Covers public universities and public TVET colleges, not private institutions.
- Who it's for
SA citizens and permanent residents at public universities and TVETs.
- What it covers
- Full tuition, accommodation, transport, learning materials and a living allowance.
- Income threshold
Household income R350 000 or less per year. R600 000 for applicants with disabilities.
- Cycle
Annual. 2026 applications closed 15 November 2025. 2027 cycle usually opens September 2026.
How to apply: Apply online at nsfas.org.za with your ID, latest school report and household-income proof.
See the full NSFAS application guide →
Open official site →Funza Lushaka (Teaching)
ClosedGovernment bursary for aspiring teachers. You commit to teach at a public school for the same number of years you receive funding.
- Who it's for
BEd and PGCE students under 30, at public SA universities.
- What it covers
- Full tuition, accommodation, meals, books and an allowance.
- Cycle
The 2026 cycle closed in early 2026. The 2027 cycle usually opens around October 2026 on the e-Gov portal.
How to apply: Apply at www.eservices.gov.za with your acceptance letter and ID.
Open official site →Sasol Mainstream Bursary
ClosedCorporate bursary feeding Sasol's engineering and science graduate pipeline. Open to the public at most SA universities.
- Who it's for
Full time students working towards approved Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical, Mining) or Science degrees. Degrees only, no diplomas.
- What it covers
- Comprehensive package: tuition plus developmental support.
- Cycle
For the 2027 academic year: applications closed 17 May 2026. The next cycle usually opens April 2027.
How to apply: Apply at sasolbursaries.com during the open window.
Open official site →Thuthuka Bursary (SAICA)
Open nowSAICA's flagship initiative to grow the pipeline of Chartered Accountants in SA, with a special focus on formerly disadvantaged African students.
- Who it's for
African SA citizens accepted to a SAICA-accredited BCom Accounting degree. Minimum 60% in Pure Maths in Grade 11 and Grade 12.
- What it covers
- Full tuition, textbooks, meals, accommodation, plus academic support, mentoring and work-readiness training.
- Income threshold
Combined household income no more than R350 000 per year.
- Cycle
For the 2027 academic year: applications close 31 August 2026.
How to apply: Apply online at thuthukabursaryfund.co.za.
Open official site →Motsepe Foundation Bursary
RollingPrivate philanthropic bursary from the Motsepe family foundation. Focused on STEM-adjacent fields.
- Who it's for
Matric or after matric students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds with a 70% average in core subjects. STEM fields including Agriculture, Business, Engineering, IT, Mathematics, Science, Medical Studies.
- What it covers
- Tuition, accommodation and a stipend for textbooks and study materials.
- Cycle
Rolling annual cycle. Check the foundation site for the current round's deadline.
How to apply: Submit the online application form, then email supporting documents to bursaries@motsepefoundation.org if shortlisted.
Open official site →Eskom University Bursary
ClosedEskom's engineering talent pipeline. Awards around **138 bursaries** per year across university and UoT studies.
- Who it's for
Conditional acceptance to an accredited public SA university for Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Surveying). Must not hold another bursary.
- What it covers
- Tuition, accommodation, meals and a living allowance.
- Cycle
2026 applications closed 14 November 2025. 2027 cycle usually opens August 2026.
How to apply: Apply via the Eskom careers portal during the open window.
Open official site →Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship
ClosedPrestigious fellowship for entrepreneurially-minded students. Full funding plus mentoring, business mentors and a development programme through university.
- Who it's for
Grade 12 learners entering university. Min 70% average (excl LO), min 60% Pure Maths or 80% Maths Lit. Commerce, Science, Engineering, Law, Humanities, Health Science at selected universities (Wits, UJ, UCT, NMU, Rhodes, UWC, Stellenbosch, UP, UFS, UKZN, TSiBA).
- What it covers
- Full tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks, tutoring allowance and a monthly stipend.
- Income threshold
Full funding for household income R1 000 000 or below. Needs-based funding above that.
- Cycle
For 2027 intake: applications closed 30 April 2026. The next intake usually opens early in the year.
How to apply: Apply online at allangrayorbis.org before 30 April 2026.
Open official site →Standard Bank Bursary (via StudyTrust)
Open nowCorporate bursary from Standard Bank covering commerce, engineering and science. Administered through StudyTrust's central portal.
- Who it's for
SA students entering 2nd year or above at a public university. Min 65% average. Fields: Commerce (Economics, Finance, Investment), Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial), Agriculture, Mathematics, Science.
- What it covers
- University fees and accommodation (private accommodation subject to limits).
- Cycle
Applications are open 1 June to 30 September each year, via StudyTrust, for the next academic year.
How to apply: Apply through studytrust.org.za during the open window.
Open official site →Transnet Technical Bursary
ClosedParastatal bursary from Transnet for engineering and technical studies. Includes vacation work and possible employment after graduation.
- Who it's for
SA citizens under 25. Studying BEng or BSc Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Heavy Current, Industrial, Electronic, Metallurgy). Min Level 5 (60%) in English and relevant subjects.
- What it covers
- Tuition, accommodation and a living allowance.
- Cycle
2026 applications closed 6 October 2025. 2027 cycle usually opens August 2026.
How to apply: Apply via the Transnet careers portal during the open window.
Open official site →StudyTrust (many bursaries in one place)
Open nowAn educational trust and public benefit organisation that runs a central bursary application platform. You submit one application and StudyTrust matches you to all qualifying bursaries in their portfolio.
- Who it's for
SA students at public universities, UoTs, TVET and agricultural colleges studying critical and scarce-skills programmes. Financial need assessed per sponsor.
- What it covers
- Varies by sponsor. Typically full tuition, accommodation, books and mentoring support.
- Cycle
The portal opens 1 June and most bursaries close 30 September, for the next academic year.
How to apply: Apply once at studytrust.org.za. Your profile is matched to every qualifying bursary in their portfolio.
Open official site →Provincial Department of Health bursary (nursing, medicine, health sciences)
RollingEach province's Department of Health funds students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, emergency care and other health fields. You usually work for that province for a set time after you qualify.
- Who it's for
SA citizens studying an approved health-science qualification, usually residents of that province.
- What it covers
- Tuition, accommodation, meals and an allowance, depending on the province.
- Cycle
Runs each year, with dates set per province (Western Cape opens around June, for example). Check your provincial Department of Health.
How to apply: Each province runs its own. Search '[your province] Department of Health bursary', or ask your provincial health department. You apply to study first, then apply for the bursary.
Open official site →Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro (Cuba) Medical Programme
RollingA government scholarship to study medicine in Cuba, then finish your training in South Africa. Aimed at students from rural and poorer backgrounds who want to become doctors.
- Who it's for
SA citizens aged 18 to 30, resident in the province they apply through, with strong Maths and Science.
- What it covers
- Full funding: tuition, travel, accommodation and a stipend, in Cuba and then in South Africa.
- Cycle
Runs each year through the provincial Departments of Health. Dates vary by province.
How to apply: Apply through your provincial Department of Health. Gauteng uses healthbursaries.gauteng.gov.za; other provinces have their own portals.
Open official site →Department of Social Development Social Work Bursary
RollingThe government bursary for future social workers. You work for the government (usually Social Development) for a set number of years after you qualify.
- Who it's for
SA citizens accepted to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, with financial need.
- What it covers
- Full tuition, accommodation, meals, books and an allowance.
- Cycle
Runs each year. Dates are announced by the national and provincial Departments of Social Development.
How to apply: Apply through the Department of Social Development (national or your province). See dsd.gov.za.
Open official site →Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) Bursary
RollingA foundation bursary that funds students across many fields, looking at the whole student and their potential, not just marks.
- Who it's for
SA citizens with financial need, accepted to an accredited institution.
- What it covers
- Tuition, accommodation, books, a laptop, and mentoring and support.
- Income threshold
Household income no more than R650 000 per year.
- Cycle
Applications usually open around October each year. Check the trust's site for the current round.
How to apply: Apply online via the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation site.
Open official site →SACAA Aviation Bursary (pilot and aircraft maintenance)
RollingThe Civil Aviation Authority's bursary to grow aviation skills. It funds pilot training and aircraft maintenance, one of the few ways to train as a pilot without paying the full cost yourself.
- Who it's for
SA citizens, usually aged 18 to 35, with matric (Maths and Science help).
- What it covers
- Full funding for pilot training (aeroplane or helicopter) or aircraft maintenance training.
- Cycle
Runs each year. Check the SACAA careers-in-aviation page for the current round.
How to apply: Apply through the SACAA. Email BursaryApplications@caa.co.za, or see the SACAA careers-in-aviation page.
Open official site →NRF (National Research Foundation) postgraduate funding
RollingThe main funder for postgraduate study (Honours, Master's and PhD), especially in science, engineering and research fields. Useful when NSFAS stops after your first degree.
- Who it's for
SA citizens doing Honours, Master's or PhD study, usually applied for through your university.
- What it covers
- A funding grant towards fees and living costs for postgraduate study.
- Cycle
Runs each year, with deadlines around the middle of the year. You apply through your university's postgraduate or research office.
How to apply: Apply through your university's postgraduate funding office, which submits to the NRF.
Open official site →