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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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.
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.
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
More details
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.
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.
Closed on 30 April 2026 · next round not yet published
Covers
Full funding (accommodation, meals, textbooks/tutoring allowance, monthly stipend) if household income <=R1m/year; needs-based funding above that
For
School leavers and already at university · Commerce, Science, Engineering, Law, Humanities, Arts & Health Science (excl. Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry)
More details
Fields of study
Commerce, Science, Engineering, Law, Humanities, Arts & Health Science (excl. Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry)
Marks needed
Grade 11: min 60% Pure Maths or 80% Maths Literacy; min 70% average across Grade 11 (excl. Life Orientation)
Citizenship
South African citizen
Obligation
none stated
Who applies
Apply in Grade 12 using Grade 11 results; online application with certified ID and report
Last published cycle
Closed 30 April 2026.
Grade 12 applicants must be under 21 in the year of application. Deadline 30 Apr 2026 17:00 SAST; interviews Jul, selection camp Sep 2026, for 11 partner universities (the page shows UKZN, UCT, SU, UP, TSIBA, UWC, RU, Wits, UJ, UFS and NMU). The 2026 first-year university campaign was closed and nomination-based: each partner university could nominate up to 20 first-year students with a 65% average after the first semester of 2026, turning no older than 22 in 2026, and running a venture or working on a viable idea.
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.
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.
Mediclinic Higher Education External Bursary
Mediclinic Southern Africa (Mediclinic Higher Education) · Official page ↗
Need considered
Designated groups
No dates on the official page
Covers
Limited number of bursaries towards course fees (amount not stated)
For
School leavers and already at university · Nursing, Pharmacy, Emergency Medical Care
More details
Fields of study
Nursing, Pharmacy, Emergency Medical Care
Marks needed
Grade 11/12 results for 1st-year entry to a Bachelors programme; programme results required for later years
Citizenship
not stated
Obligation
none stated
Who applies
Apply online via Mediclinic Higher Education 'Browse Bursary Opportunities' portal; proof of registration required
Aimed at
Mediclinic Southern Africa says: “Employment Equity candidates will be given preference”
Limited bursaries; Employment Equity candidates given preference; was not open for 2027 academic year applications as at Sept 2026
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.
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).
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."
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.
