Money should not be the reason you stop dreaming. These are real South African bursaries, scholarships and learnerships. Each one shows what it covers, who can apply and roughly when.
Government funding for learners from households earning under roughly R350 000 a year, covering study at all 26 public universities and all 50 public TVET colleges.
Covers
Tuition Registration Accommodation or transport Learning materials Living allowance
For studying
Any approved course at a public university or TVET college
Who can apply
• South African citizen with an ID number • Combined household income under about R350 000 a year (R600 000 for students with a disability) • Accepted or applying at a public university or TVET college • SASSA grant recipients qualify automatically After you qualify
No work-back for most students; it converts to a bursary if you pass.
Applications usually open around September and close in January.
Where to look: nsfas.org.za
A full-cost bursary for students who want to become teachers in priority subjects like Maths, Physical Sciences, Accounting, African languages and Foundation Phase teaching.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Meals Books Monthly allowance
For studying
Bachelor of Education · PGCE
Who can apply
• Strong Grade 12 results, especially in the priority subject • Accepted for a B.Ed or PGCE at a public university • A genuine commitment to teaching After you qualify
One year of teaching at a public school for each year funded.
Applications usually open in October and close in January.
Where to look: funzalushaka.doe.gov.za
One of the biggest corporate bursaries in the country, aimed at engineering, science and technical students.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Meals Books Laptop Vacation work
For studying
Chemical Engineering · Mechanical Engineering · Electrical Engineering · Mining Engineering · Geology · Chemistry · Accounting
Who can apply
• Level 6 (70%+) or better in Mathematics and Physical Sciences • South African citizen • Applying for a listed qualification After you qualify
Usually one year of work for each year funded.
Applications usually open around March and close mid-year.
Where to look: sasolbursaries.com
Funding for engineering and technical students who will help keep the country's power running.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books Meals Vacation work
For studying
Electrical Engineering · Mechanical Engineering · Civil Engineering · Chemical Engineering · IT
Who can apply
• Strong Maths and Physical Sciences results • South African citizen • Accepted at a recognised institution After you qualify
Work-back at Eskom, usually one year per year funded.
Applications usually open around August and close in October.
Where to look: eskom.co.za careers page
A well-known bursary for African and Coloured learners who want to become chartered accountants, with tutoring and mentoring included.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Meals Books Laptop Extra tutoring and mentoring
For studying
BCom Accounting (CA stream)
Who can apply
• African or Coloured South African citizen • At least 60% in Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) • Accepted at a SAICA-accredited university • Financial need After you qualify
Work-back with the sponsoring firm after qualifying.
Applications usually open in Grade 12, around March to July.
Where to look: thuthukabursaryfund.co.za
Funding for the 'missing middle', families who earn too much for NSFAS but too little to pay fees, studying scarce-skill degrees.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Meals Books Tutoring Psychosocial support
For studying
Medicine · Engineering · Accounting · Actuarial Science · Law · Data Science
Who can apply
• Household income roughly R350 000 – R600 000 • Strong academic results • Studying a listed scarce-skill programme After you qualify
Varies by sponsor; some require work-back.
Applications usually open around September to November.
Where to look: isfap.co.za
A full scholarship plus entrepreneurship development for learners with leadership potential and a builder's mindset.
Covers
Full tuition Accommodation Meals Books Laptop Leadership and entrepreneurship programme
For studying
Commerce · Engineering · Science · Law · Medicine
Who can apply
• Excellent Grade 11 results • Strong leadership and entrepreneurial spirit • South African citizen After you qualify
No work-back, but you commit to the fellowship programme.
Grade 11 and Grade 12 applications usually open early in the year.
Where to look: allangrayorbis.org
A generous bursary for commerce, finance and technology students, with mentorship and vacation work.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Meals Books Laptop Mentorship
For studying
BCom · Accounting · Actuarial Science · Computer Science · Data Science
Who can apply
• Excellent Maths results • Financial need • Accepted at a South African university After you qualify
Usually a work-back or vacation-work commitment.
Applications usually open around March to June.
Where to look: investec.com bursary page
Support for high-performing learners from low-income households across a range of fields.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books
For studying
Various, including science, health, education and commerce
Who can apply
• Strong academic results • Proven financial need • South African citizen After you qualify
Generally none.
Announced each year, check the foundation's website.
Where to look: motsepefoundation.org
Funding for engineering, logistics, maritime and technical studies linked to ports, rail and pipelines.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books Allowance Vacation work
For studying
Engineering · Logistics · Maritime Studies · Supply Chain · IT
Who can apply
• Good Maths and Physical Sciences results • South African citizen After you qualify
Work-back at Transnet.
Applications usually open mid-year.
Where to look: transnet.net careers page
Each province funds students in nursing, medicine and allied health, in exchange for working in public health afterwards.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books Allowance
For studying
Medicine · Nursing · Pharmacy · Physiotherapy · Radiography · Dietetics · Occupational Therapy
Who can apply
• Strong Life Sciences and Physical Sciences results • Accepted for a health sciences programme • Willing to work in your province After you qualify
Compulsory service in a public hospital or clinic, usually a year per year funded.
Usually opens around July and closes in September.
Where to look: Your provincial Department of Health website
Funding for honours, masters and PhD students doing research in science, technology and the humanities.
Covers
Tuition Research costs Living allowance
For studying
Science · Engineering · Technology · Humanities research
Who can apply
• Strong undergraduate results • Accepted into a postgraduate research programme After you qualify
None for most awards.
Calls usually open between March and June.
Where to look: nrf.ac.za
Mining-sector funding for engineering, geology, metallurgy and mine survey students.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Meals Books Allowance Vacation work
For studying
Mining Engineering · Metallurgy · Geology · Mine Surveying · Electrical Engineering
Who can apply
• Level 5+ in Maths and Physical Sciences • South African citizen After you qualify
Work-back in the group's operations.
Usually opens around June.
Where to look: sibanyestillwater.com
Bursaries for commerce, actuarial, IT and analytics students, plus support for union-member families.
Covers
Tuition Books Accommodation in some cases
For studying
Actuarial Science · BCom · Data Science · IT · Accounting
Who can apply
• Strong Maths results • Financial need After you qualify
Some programmes include vacation work or a work-back year.
Usually opens early in the year.
Where to look: oldmutual.co.za
Funding for ICT, engineering and science students, aimed at growing digital skills in the country.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books Laptop Allowance
For studying
Computer Science · Information Systems · Electrical Engineering · Data Science
Who can apply
• Strong Maths results • Financial need • South African citizen After you qualify
Varies by intake.
Usually opens around September.
Where to look: mtn.co.za foundation page
Retail-sector funding for supply chain, IT, finance, pharmacy and consumer science students.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books Allowance Vacation work
For studying
Supply Chain · Retail Business Management · IT · Pharmacy · Consumer Science · Finance
Who can apply
• Good academic results • Financial need After you qualify
Work-back within the group.
Usually opens around August.
Where to look: shopriteholdings.co.za
Funding for engineering, environmental and science students who will work on the country's water systems.
Covers
Tuition Accommodation Books Allowance
For studying
Civil Engineering · Environmental Science · Hydrology · Geohydrology · Chemistry
Who can apply
• Good Maths and Physical Sciences results • South African citizen After you qualify
Public-service work-back.
Usually opens around September.
Where to look: dws.gov.za
Support for students studying film, television, animation and screen storytelling.
Covers
Tuition Study materials
For studying
Film Production · Animation · Screenwriting · Cinematography · Sound
Who can apply
• Accepted at an accredited film school or university • Financial need • South African citizen After you qualify
None, but you must complete your studies.
Usually opens around September to November.
Where to look: nfvf.co.za
Not a study bursary, start-up funding, mentorship and business training for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35.
Covers
Start-up capital Business mentorship Training
For studying
Any viable small business
Who can apply
• Aged 18 to 35 • South African citizen • A workable business idea or existing small business After you qualify
None, you run your own business.
Open throughout the year.
Where to look: nyda.gov.za
Earn while you learn: a paid stipend, on-the-job training and a recognised qualification in trades, IT, business and more.
Covers
Training costs Monthly stipend Workplace experience
For studying
Electrical · Plumbing · Welding · IT support · Business admin · Hospitality · Agriculture
Who can apply
• Usually Grade 9 to Grade 12 depending on the programme • South African citizen • Unemployed youth for most intakes After you qualify
None, though many learners are hired by the host company.
Advertised throughout the year by each SETA and by employers.
Where to look: Your sector's SETA website
Bursary amounts, closing dates and requirements change every single year. Everything here is a general guide to help you start looking, always confirm the details on the official website of the fund before you apply, and never pay a fee to apply.
This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.