Government bursaries are among the most accessible forms of student funding in South Africa. They cover tuition, accommodation and living costs — and you never have to pay them back if you meet the academic requirements. Here are the top government bursaries available in 2026.
Who it's for: SA citizens with a household income below R350,000 per year, registered at a public university or TVET college.
What it covers: Tuition fees, accommodation (on-campus or off-campus allowance), meals, transport, and learning materials.
How to apply: Visit nsfas.org.za and complete the online application. You'll need your SA ID, proof of income, and academic results.
Deadline: Applications typically open in August and close in January for the following academic year.
Important: NSFAS funding converts from a loan to a bursary if you pass all your modules. Fail, and you may need to repay a portion.
Who it's for: SA citizens studying towards a teaching qualification at a public university, willing to teach in a public school after graduation.
What it covers: Full tuition, accommodation, a book allowance, and a living allowance.
How to apply: Apply online at funzalushaka.doe.gov.za. Applications open around September each year.
The catch: You must teach in a public school for the same number of years you received the bursary. If you don't, the bursary converts to a loan with interest.
Priority subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technology, Computer Applications Technology, and African languages. If you're studying to teach one of these, your chances of getting funded are significantly higher.
Who it's for: SA citizens pursuing postgraduate study — Honours, Masters, or PhD — at any South African university.
What it covers: R60,000 to R120,000 per year depending on the level of study.
How to apply: Through the NRF online portal at nrf.ac.za. Applications usually close in July.
Best for: Students with strong academic records who want to pursue research careers. The NRF particularly values students in STEM fields, but humanities and social sciences are also funded.
Who it's for: SA citizens accepted into health sciences programmes — medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or dietetics.
What it covers: Full tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance.
How to apply: Through your provincial Department of Health or the national health department. Each province manages its own allocation.
Service obligation: Recipients must complete community service in a public hospital or clinic after graduation. This is separate from the standard medical internship.
Who it's for: Staff employed at public TVET colleges or universities who want to further their qualifications.
What it covers: Full tuition and related allowances.
How to apply: Through your institution's HR department or directly via the DHET website.
Deadline: Usually around March each year, but check with your institution.
Government bursaries are competitive. NSFAS alone receives over a million applications per year. Starting early means you have time to gather certified documents and write a strong motivation letter.
Home Affairs and SAPS stations certify documents for free, but queues can be long during peak periods (October to January). Get copies certified in June or July when offices are quieter.
Don't use a generic template. Mention the specific bursary by name, explain why you're a good fit, and describe how it supports your career goals. Our free Motivation Letter Generator can help you structure a professional letter in minutes.
Government bursaries are competitive — rejection from one doesn't mean you won't be accepted elsewhere. Apply to at least three different funding sources.
Scan every document before submitting. If anything goes missing, you can resubmit quickly without starting from scratch.
Use our free Bursary Finder to search government and corporate bursaries by field of study. The database includes 15+ verified SA bursaries with direct application links.
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Yes — if you pass your modules, NSFAS converts from a loan to a bursary. You only repay if you fail or drop out.
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate students. Postgraduate students should apply for NRF bursaries or university-specific postgraduate funding.
Most government bursaries don't allow double funding. If you receive another bursary, you must declare it. The government bursary may be reduced or withdrawn.
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