South African students looking for bursaries and scholarships to fund their studies in 2027 can widen their search beyond university websites by investigating government funding schemes, bursary administrators, corporate foundations and international scholarship programmes.
The challenge for students is to narrow down the vast selection of possibilities according to their situation and circumstances before applying.
In South Africa, bursaries are typically awarded to assist students with their educational expenses, and depending on the specific programme, may cover tuition, accommodation, prescribed learning materials, meals or other expenses. Some may have academic performance criteria or service conditions attached.
The following 10 organisations can be starting points for students investigating bursaries and scholarships for university, teacher training, postgraduate studies or other education and training opportunities.
1. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za/
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is an important programme for South African students needing financial assistance to attend public universities or TVET colleges.
Applicants will need to satisfy NSFAS requirements and follow the application process, and should consult the scheme’s website for the latest details.
NSFAS funding is intended for students who cannot afford the cost of further education without financial assistance.
What To Do: Check the eligibility criteria and apply according to the official process. Remember that approval is not guaranteed just because you have submitted an application.
2. Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
Website: https://www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/
Students considering a career in teaching can investigate the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme which funds approved teaching qualifications, and has specific requirements and service conditions.
Eligibility criteria, the qualifications covered and the application process may change from year to year, so students should visit the website for the latest information.
What To Do: If you are thinking of a career in teaching, check the requirements and see whether your intended qualification and institution are approved.
3. Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP)
Website: https://www.isfap.org.za/
ISFAP provides financial assistance to eligible students studying selected bachelor’s degrees with a focus on disadvantaged students and specific occupations in demand.
This bursary scheme can be useful to students considering engineering, accountancy or other occupations covered by the programme, and should be investigated for the relevant funding year according to the eligibility criteria.
What To Do: Check whether your desired qualification at your preferred institution is covered by the scheme.
4. SA Bursaries
Website: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/
SA Bursaries is an online portal that lists many bursary opportunities, and can help students identify funding for their intended qualification or field of study.
The website covers a wide variety of bursaries from different sectors, including engineering, law, commerce, health sciences, education and other disciplines. As with any bursary search, students should always check official sources to confirm the requirements, application process and closing date.
What To Do: Browse the website according to your intended qualification or area of study, and then check the official application guidelines for each programme.
5. Bursaries.co.za
Website: https://bursaries.co.za/
Bursaries.co.za is another portal that can help students find bursaries and scholarships, with useful filters according to the type of study. Students can use the website to identify potential funders and programmes that may be relevant to their study plans.
What To Do: Use the filters to find bursaries according to your needs and interests, and then check the requirements and application process for each.
6. StudyTrust
Website: https://studytrust.org.za/
StudyTrust manages bursaries and scholarships for students, and can help with finding funding according to your circumstances.
If you are unsure where to start looking for a bursary, the organisation can be a good starting point to investigate available bursaries without having to contact every possible funder.
What To Do: StudyTrust has many bursaries and scholarships managed by different organisations. Read the information carefully and apply for those that you think are relevant to your circumstances.
7. Career Wise
Website: https://careerwise.co.za/
Career Wise is a bursary management and student-funding organisation that has a wide variety of bursaries and scholarships for South African students.
Students can check the organisation’s website to investigate its bursary opportunities, and view the application process and requirements. What to do: Browse the list of bursaries and scholarships, and check the requirements for those that you could apply for in 2027.
8. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
Website: https://www.allangrayorbis.org/
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation offers bursaries to students, school learners and graduates wishing to develop their business and leadership skills. Students should investigate the different bursaries, awards and programmes offered by the foundation and see which ones you could apply for according to your current situation and needs.
What To Do: View the foundation’s website and check what bursaries, awards and programmes are available to you.
9. Mandela Rhodes Foundation
Website: https://www.mandelarhodes.org/
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation offers a scholarship for postgraduate studies in South Africa and abroad, and is aimed at African students.
Students should read the requirements carefully as eligibility is different to most bursary programmes.
What To Do: If you are planning to undertake postgraduate studies, investigate the scholarship and requirements.
10. Department of Higher Education and Training International Scholarships Portal
Website: https://www.internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za/
South African students who wish to study abroad can investigate international scholarships through the Department of Higher Education and Training’s website. As circumstances vary from year to year, students should check what options are currently available to them, and be aware that each scholarship has its own requirements, benefits and application process.
What To Do: View the list of current international scholarships for South African students, and check each one’s requirements and deadlines.
How to Choose the Right Bursary for Your Studies
Being aware of the conditions of a bursary or scholarship is only part of the story. Students should investigate whether their circumstances match the requirements of a bursary scheme before applying.
Consider the following:
- Your qualification: Does the bursary cover your intended course, at your preferred institution?
- Academic results: Does the bursary have minimum requirements?
- Financial circumstances: Does the bursary take your financial circumstances into account?
- The amount: Does the bursary cover your tuition, or only some of your expenses?
- Deadline: When is the closing date for applications? You might need to allow extra time for processing
- Conditions: Does the bursary have any special conditions attached?
One person’s bursary opportunity might not be available to everyone else, as many bursaries are dependent on the applicant’s circumstances.
Documents to Prepare Before Applying
Although each organisation has different application requirements, it is wise to prepare a folder with the documents that are likely to be needed, such as:
- Identity document or other proof of identity
- Academic results or matric certificate, if applicable
- Proof of admission or study at an institution, if applicable
- Proof of household income, if applicable
- CV, motivation letter or personal statement, if required
- Contact details, and any other documents requested by the organisation
Do not submit documents automatically – read the application instructions and only submit what is requested by the organisation, in the way that it asks you to submit it.
How to Avoid Bursary Scams
When you are browsing online for bursary opportunities, it is important to be aware of scams and people claiming to guarantee you a bursary.
Avoid scams by following these tips:
- If the opportunity is not advertised on the funder’s website, then it is likely to be a scam
- Double-check the e-mail address and website, and if you are unsure, phone the organisation to confirm
- If you are asked to pay to guarantee the bursary, it is a scam
- Never give away your passwords, banking details or other sensitive personal information, including one-time passwords
- Confirm the closing date and requirements directly with the funder
A genuine bursary will have clear requirements, and no individual or organisation should be able to guarantee that you will receive an award without meeting the requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can South African students find bursaries for 2027?
Students can investigate funding through NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, ISFAP, StudyTrust and similar bursary administrators, as well as portals such as SA Bursaries and Bursaries.co.za. Students with an interest in entrepreneurship can investigate the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, and those considering postgraduate studies can look into the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. For international scholarships, the Department of Higher Education and Training has a portal listing many opportunities.
Are bursaries and scholarships the same?
Bursaries and scholarships are often used interchangeably in South Africa, but have slightly different conditions. Bursaries typically have financial criteria, while scholarships are usually based on academic performance, but there are many exceptions. Always read the fine print.
Do bursaries have to be repaid?
Some bursaries have to be repaid if the recipient does not meet the conditions, while others do not have any strings attached. Always read the fine print before applying. In many cases, a bursary is not a loan and does not have to be repaid as long as the recipient adheres to the rules of the funder.
Can I apply for more than one bursary?
You can apply for more than one bursary, but make sure that each organisation allows this and that you disclose any other bursaries that you have applied for.
How can I find bursaries related to my course?
You can browse bursaries according to your area of study, or investigate your course’s website for bursary opportunities. Government departments, corporate foundations and bursary administrators often have bursaries for specific qualifications. Always make sure that your desired course and institution is covered before you apply.
Final Advice for Students Seeking Education Funding
As you can see, there are many places to look for bursaries and scholarships for 2027. South African students should not rely on one portal when searching for bursaries and scholarships – combine the information from bursary administrators, government schemes, corporate foundations and scholarships to identify the best opportunities for you. Always double-check with the organisation offering the bursary, and make sure you meet the requirements and apply before the closing date.
Note: This guide identifies useful starting points for bursary and scholarship research, and does not claim that all 10 organisations have bursaries open for application in 2027. Always confirm the requirements, closing dates, eligibility and benefits with the organisation offering the bursary or scholarship. If any of the organisations mentioned above changes its requirements or closes its applications, this article should be updated to reflect those changes.
