Bursaries

Find bursaries for your field and see which are open now.

Apply only on the funder's own website. Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. Dates and criteria change every year: confirm them there.

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13 of 55 bursaries1 filter on

Open now 3

NSFAS Bursary Scheme (DHET Bursary Scheme)

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) · Official page ↗

Closing soon
Financial need
Disability

Closes 31 October 2026 (4 days left)

Covers: Full: tuition, accommodation, transport (up to R7,500/yr), living allowance (R15,000/yr), books (R5,200/yr), incidentals
For: School leavers and already at university · Any accredited qualification at a public university or TVET college

More details

Fields of study: Any accredited qualification at a public university or TVET college
Household income: Up to R350 000 a year
Citizenship: SA citizens; SASSA grant recipients also qualify
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Prospective and current students at public universities/TVET colleges
Applications: Opened 18 September 2026 · closes 31 October 2026. 2027 cycle. NSFAS gives the closing time as 31 October 2026 at 23:59 and has said there will be no extension. The Minister's launch speech on 18 September 2026 gave 18 November; NSFAS's own website and its 22 September statement give 31 October.
Aimed at: National Student Financial Aid Scheme says: “Person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per annum”

The household income cap is R350,000 a year, or R600,000 for students with disabilities.

Sources: NSFAS website: 2027 applications open 18 September 2026 and close 31 October 2026 at 23:59 · NSFAS media statement, 22 September 2026: closes 31 October 2026, no extension

StudyTrust Bursary & Scholarship Platform

StudyTrust (Educational Trust, est. 1974) · Official page ↗

Closing soon
Financial need
Work-back varies

Closes 31 October 2026 (4 days left)

Covers: Varies per bursary; administers 25+ named sponsor bursaries/scholarships, described as an investment of up to roughly R500,000 per student
For: School leavers, already at university and postgraduate · Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate study, largely in critical and scarce-skills fields; varies by individual sponsor bursary

More details

Fields of study: Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate study, largely in critical and scarce-skills fields; varies by individual sponsor bursary
Marks needed: Academic potential assessed per bursary; criteria vary by sponsor
Household income: Up to R850 000 a year
Citizenship: South African citizens only
Obligation: Some bursaries (e.g. recruitment bursaries) carry a work-back obligation; varies per sponsor
Who applies: One online application considered automatically against every bursary/scholarship you qualify for
Applications: Opened 1 June 2026 · closes 31 October 2026. Most StudyTrust bursaries for 2027 closed on 30 September 2026. Extended: the AWS Skills Development Bursary to 16 October 2026, and the Lilitha Solar PV, Amandla Omoya, Letsatsi Borutho, Sibona Ilanga, Sishen Solar Facility and Perdekraal East Wind Farm community-trust bursaries (for learners from set local areas) to 31 October 2026.

StudyTrust runs bursaries for many different funders, so one application can reach several of them.

Sources: StudyTrust: administered bursaries, with each bursary's closing date · StudyTrust: bursary applications (income limit, local-area rules for renewable-energy bursaries)

NRF/DSTI Postgraduate and Honours Student Funding

National Research Foundation (NRF) · Official page ↗

Closing soon
Need considered
Postgraduate only
Designated groups
Women
Disability

Closes 23 November 2026 (27 days left)

Covers: Annual scholarship (2027 framework, Table 2): Honours R180,000 at full cost of study (FCS)…
For: Postgraduate · All research disciplines; NRF's student funding calls are Honours, Master's, Doctoral and postdoctoral only

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Fields of study: All research disciplines; NRF's student funding calls are Honours, Master's, Doctoral and postdoctoral only
Covers: Annual scholarship (2027 framework, Table 2): Honours R180,000 at full cost of study (FCS) or R140,000 at partial cost of study (PCS); Master's R190,000 / R145,000; Doctoral R200,000 / R150,000. FCS adds a once-off R10,000 electronic study device allowance and up to R20,000 for an assistive technology device. FCS is for financially needy applicants, applicants with a disability and exceptional achievers; FCS-eligible applicants may be funded at PCS because of budget limits
Marks needed: First-time funding needs a minimum average of 65% (honours: major subjects in the final undergraduate year; master's: honours level; doctoral: master's level)
Citizenship: Honours: South African citizens and permanent residents only; master's and doctoral: other nationalities with valid passports and study permits may also apply
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Honours, Master's and Doctoral students only - undergraduates are NOT funded
Applications: Opened 7 July 2026 · closes 23 November 2026. Dates shown are for Honours (General) for the 2027 academic year, applied for on NRF Connect. Other 2027 calls: NRF-SARAO Honours 1 June to 14 August 2026; first-time Master's 1 April to 3 July 2026; first-time Doctoral closed 3 July 2026; Master's and Doctoral extension support closed 14 August 2026.
Aimed at: National Research Foundation says: “all postgraduate funding must prioritise support for appropriately qualified applicants from designated groups, viz. Black, female, and persons living with disabilities” (source)

The NRF funds Honours and postgraduate study only. There is no NRF undergraduate bursary.

Sources: NRF Postgraduate Funding Framework 2027, PDF pp.7-8 (eligibility, 65% minimum), p.11 (full cost of study for the financially needy), p.18 (financial means test), p.20 (Table 2, values) and p.21 (application dates)

Closed for now, or no dates published 10

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Bursary Programme

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health · Official page ↗

Need considered

No dates on the official page

Covers: Sliding scale by parental income: R0-120k (tuition, meals, books, accommodation) down to R251k-300k (tuition only)
For: School leavers and already at university · Page publishes no field list: scarce-skill health fields are advertised on a poster per district each year; you may only apply for listed fields.

More details

Fields of study: Page publishes no field list: scarce-skill health fields are advertised on a poster per district each year; you may only apply for listed fields. The degrees tagged here (medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy) are not confirmed on the department's site as of 2026-10-04
Marks needed: Good academic record (no percentage published); must not already hold a degree/diploma or another bursary
Household income: Up to R300 000 a year
Citizenship: Applicant must be from KwaZulu-Natal (family home address, not university town)
Obligation: none stated on this page
Who applies: Collect and return the paper application form in person at the Human Resource Department of the Government Hospital nearest your family home in KwaZulu-Natal; proof of application or registration at a tertiary institution is required

General provincial DoH bursary, not the Mandela-Castro Cuba programme. Forms only from the hospital nearest your family home, not online.

ISFAP Bursary Programme

Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) · Official page ↗

Financial need

No dates on the official page

Covers: Not published.
For: School leavers and already at university · Occupations of High Demand: actuaries, accountants, data scientists, engineers, IT professionals, medical doctors, nurses

More details

Fields of study: Occupations of High Demand: actuaries, accountants, data scientists, engineers, IT professionals, medical doctors, nurses
Covers: Not published. Site states funding plus wraparound academic/psychosocial/career support; no tuition/accommodation breakdown published.
Marks needed: Must 'maintain academic performance standards' (no percentage published)
Citizenship: SA citizens
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: SA citizens enrolled or planning to enrol in an accredited SA university, in an OHD field

The website does not publish the income cap, exact marks needed or application dates.

Our confidence in these details: medium. The official page publishes little.

Moshal Scholarship Program

Moshal Program · Official page ↗

Financial need

No dates on the official page

Covers: Full funding scholarship (the Moshal Program's wording…
For: Medicine (MBChB), Pharmacy (UKZN only), Veterinary Science; Computer Science…

More details

Fields of study: Medicine (MBChB), Pharmacy (UKZN only), Veterinary Science; Computer Science, Data Science, Information Science, Information Systems, Information Technology; Engineering (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical, Mechatronic); Actuarial Science, Econometrics, Mathematics, Statistics; Accounting, Economics, Financial Sciences, Investment Management, Management Sciences
Covers: Full funding scholarship (the Moshal Program's wording; the page does not itemise the costs it pays), living and meal allowances, personal Program Coordinator support, professional workshops, mentoring, career guidance
Marks needed: 70% minimum for English, Mathematics and Physical Science/Accounting
Household income: Up to R200 000 a year
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Online application, acceptance to a Moshal-funded institution, then in-person interview and selection

Only for UCT, Stellenbosch, UWC, Wits, UP, UKZN, UFS or UJ; degrees/universities funded subject to change at Moshal's discretion. Applications open per SA site banner.

Aspen Bursary Applications

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings · Official page ↗

No dates on the official page

Covers: Registration and tuition fees up to 100%; prescribed books up to 50%
For: School leavers and already at university · BCom Taxation, Accounting or Supply Chain Management; BPharm; MBChB…

More details

Fields of study: BCom Taxation, Accounting or Supply Chain Management; BPharm; MBChB; BSc Chemistry, Microbiology or Pharmacology (Regulatory Affairs); BSc Computer Science & IT; Bachelor of Data Science; BEng, at the institutions listed on the page
Citizenship: South African citizens
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: See Aspen's Careers > Bursary Applications page for current openings; apply online once accepted at a listed institution, with a certified ID, acceptance letter, fee quotation and parents' payslips; no dates published

Awards are decided each year by Aspen. The page lists the eligible institutions but no closing date.

Our confidence in these details: low. The official page publishes little.

Department of Health and Wellness Bursary Programme

Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness · Official page ↗

Need considered
Work-back

The bursary system FAQ gives no year or closing date; 2027 dates are not confirmed on an official page we could read.

Covers: Financial assistance towards the qualification; the Department does not pay accommodation cost
For: School leavers · Nursing, Medical (MBChB), Pharmacy, Radiography, Emergency Medical Care; fields may be added or removed each academic year

More details

Fields of study: Nursing, Medical (MBChB), Pharmacy, Radiography, Emergency Medical Care; fields may be added or removed each academic year
Citizenship: A South African citizen residing in the Western Cape
Obligation: Bursary holders are required to work back their bursary obligation (community service year counts towards the first year; internship does not) and must pay back the monies if they do not work back
Who applies: Applicants with a matric certificate who have been accepted or are awaiting acceptance at a relevant accredited Higher Education Institution; full-time study only
Last published cycle: The bursary system FAQ gives no year or closing date; 2027 dates are not confirmed on an official page we could read.

No minimum marks or closing date published on the FAQ. Applicants must have no criminal record. Only one qualification is funded even if several are applied for.

Sources: Health bursary system FAQ: fields, eligibility, cover, work-back, documents

Our confidence in these details: medium. The official page publishes little.

SABS Bursary Opportunities

South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) · Official page ↗

Financial need

No dates on the official page

Covers: Tuition costs, textbooks, accommodation and mentoring support
For: School leavers and already at university · Fields of study not specified on the page

More details

Fields of study: Fields of study not specified on the page
Citizenship: South African
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Academically deserving undergraduate students with proven financial need

The page gives only a short overview, with no fields of study, amounts, dates or application link.

Our confidence in these details: low. The official page publishes little.

SARB External Bursary Scheme (undergraduate studies)

South African Reserve Bank (SARB) · Official page ↗

Closed
Financial need

Closed on 30 September 2026 · next round not yet published

Covers: Not published
For: School leavers · Any field 'with a bearing on the functions and activities of the SARB' (e.g. finance, economics, IT, law)

More details

Fields of study: Any field 'with a bearing on the functions and activities of the SARB' (e.g. finance, economics, IT, law)
Marks needed: 70% average in the June Grade 12/Matric examinations (final award subject to final results)
Citizenship: South African citizens
Obligation: Sign bursary agreement with SARB after interview; specific service-back terms not published
Who applies: Prospective first-year undergraduates at any SA university, under 30
Last published cycle: Closed 30 September 2026.

For the 2027 academic year intake; distinct from the SARB Economics-specific bursary above

Rural Education Access Programme (REAP)

REAP · Official page ↗

Financial need
Rural

No dates on the official page

Covers: Supplementary funding: stipend, laptop, technical equipment and wrap-around mentoring support; core tuition/accommodation comes from NSFAS or an external bursary
For: School leavers and already at university · Wide range of undergraduate disciplines at public universities or TVET colleges

More details

Fields of study: Wide range of undergraduate disciplines at public universities or TVET colleges
Household income: Up to R350 000 a year
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Selected via REAP's Post School Readiness Programme at partner rural schools; not an open public application
Aimed at: REAP says: “assists young people from low income households in marginalised rural communities in South Africa to access and succeed in post-school education and training (PSET) opportunities”

REAP wraps around NSFAS/other bursary funding rather than being the primary funder itself; supported 206 students in 2026 (120 university, 86 TVET).

Harmony Gold Bursary Scheme

Harmony Gold Mining Company · Official page ↗

Closed
Employees or local communities

Closed on 9 October 2026 · next round not yet published

Covers: not stated (full-time bursary; benefits not itemised on the page)
For: School leavers and already at university · Core/critical mining fields (60% of intake), non-core mining-related fields (30%), other disciplines (10%); varies per year

More details

Fields of study: Core/critical mining fields (60% of intake), non-core mining-related fields (30%), other disciplines (10%); varies per year
Marks needed: National Senior Certificate with 60%+ in all subjects; engineering applicants also need at least 70% in Mathematics and Physical Sciences; tertiary students must maintain 60%+ average in major subjects
Citizenship: South African citizen with valid SA identity document
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Applicants aged 18-35, from communities in and around Harmony's mining operations, applying with a brief 3-page CV
Last published cycle: Closed 9 October 2026. 2027 intake (now closed): applications were by email to Bursaryscheme@harmony.co.za with the documents listed on the official page.
Aimed at: Harmony Gold Mining Company says: “At Harmony we offer full-time bursaries to communities in an around our mining operations.”

The 2027 bursary intake closed on 9 October 2026 (official page, checked 29 September 2026). On 12 October 2026 the page says the 2027 intake is closed and "The 2028 intake will open in October 2027."

Sources: Harmony: opportunities for students (60% in all subjects; 70% Maths and Physical Sciences for engineering; closes 9 October 2026)

University Entrance / Merit Scholarships

South African public universities · Official page ↗

Redress places

No dates on the official page

Covers: Varies by university/faculty; typically a partial or full tuition-fee award for high NSC achievers
For: School leavers and already at university · All faculties; most SA public universities award automatic or application-based merit/entrance bursaries on NSC results

More details

Fields of study: All faculties; most SA public universities award automatic or application-based merit/entrance bursaries on NSC results
Marks needed: Awarded to applicants meeting each faculty's published NSC/APS threshold; often automatic, no separate application
Citizenship: Typically restricted to South African citizens and permanent residents (varies by university)
Obligation: none stated
Who applies: Automatic on admission at most universities (e.g. UCT); some require a separate application - check per institution
Aimed at: UCT, the verified example, says: “Entrance Scholarships are awarded to applicants on the basis of National Senior Certificate (NSC) achievement in open and redress pools.” Other universities set their own criteria.

Terms, thresholds and amounts vary significantly by university and faculty; verified example is UCT's Entrance Scholarship policy

Our confidence in these details: medium. The official page publishes little.

Closed schemes usually run again at about the same time each year. Tags such as “Designated groups” use each funder’s own wording: see More details for the exact criteria.