Learners and students from communities that benefit from the SIOC Community Development Trust’s (SIOC-CDT) can apply for its 2027 bursary scheme for post-matric studies.
The bursary is meant to support young people from the SIOC-CDT beneficiary communities of Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana, Joe Morolong, Tsantsabane and Thabazimbi. It covers various sectors including agriculture, health sciences, education, law, tourism, business, engineering and information technology.
Applications must be submitted to the SIOC-CDT before Monday, 30 November 2026 at 12:00 midday.
Who can apply for the CDT community bursary?
The 2027 bursary is available to applicants who meet the community, age, academic and financial requirements.
Applicants will have to:
- Be residents of and/or originate from an SIOC-CDT beneficiary community;
- Be 35 years or younger on the closing date;
- Be accepted or conditionally accepted at a relevant Public Higher Education Institution for the 2027 academic year;
- Demonstrate financial need;
- Have an NSC average of 65% or higher;
- Meet other requirements applicable to their level and field of study.
The 2027 scheme encourages people living with disabilities to apply.
Which communities are eligible?
The bursary is restricted to SIOC-CDT beneficiary communities
The communities mentioned in the 2027 bursary notice are:
- Gamagara
- Ga-Segonyana
- Joe Morolong
- Tsantsabane
- Thabazimbi
Applicants should establish that they are residents and/or originate from any of the eligible communities before attempting to submit a bursary application.
What financial need requirement applies?
The bursary is aimed at students who require financial support to undertake or continue with their studies.
In the case of undergraduate studies, the bursary will give preference to applicants whose combined gross household income does not exceed R600,000.
Applicants should ensure that they can provide supporting documentation regarding their household income, particularly from parents or guardians if applicable.
Which fields of study are supported?
The 2027 scheme offers support to students in a range of fields of study.
Agriculture:
The supported fields of study are:
- Veterinary
- Livestock Product Analyst
- Environmental Officer
- Agricultural Economist
- Agricultural Engineer
- Food Technologists
- Food Technicians
Health and clinical related sciences:
The fields of study covered by the bursary scheme include:
- MBChB
- Pharmacy
- Dentistry
- Advanced EMS
- Nursing
- Chemical, Biological and Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Biochemistry
Education:
Education-related fields of study covered by the bursary scheme are:
- FET Mathematics
- BEd FET Physical Science
- BEd Natural Sciences
- Economic and Management Science
- BEd Foundation Phase
- BEd Language
- BEd Special Needs
Law:
The fields of study supported under this category are:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Tourism:
Tourism-related studies covered by the bursary include:
- Hospitality Management
- Arts and Culture Heritage
- Eco-Tourism Management
Business Management and Economics:
The fields of study listed in the 2027 bursary notice are:
- Accounting
- Economics
- Auditing and Tax
- Actuarial Science
- Statistics and Mathematics
- Project Management
Engineering and Sciences:
The fields of study covered under this category are:
- Quantity Surveying
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
- Geology
- Electrical Engineering
- Town Planning
- Environmental Health
Information Technology:
The categories within the IT discipline are:
- Computer Sciences and Communication
- Software Development
- Data Science/Analytics
- Web Design and Development
Applicants should ensure that they meet the specific specialisation, if any, that is specified in the bursary notice.
What does the SIOC-CDT bursary cover?
The bursary covers various costs associated with tertiary education, including:
According to the 2027 bursary notice, the SIOC-CDT bursary covers the following expenses:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Prescribed study material
- Monthly stipend
- Laptop (once-off donation)
- Assistive devices for learners with disabilities
Notably, the stipend component and coverage of costs such as accommodation, show that the bursary covers more than just tuition fees.
What documents are required?
Applicants should assemble their supporting documents before attempting to submit an application.
The documents listed in the bursary notice are:
- Certified copy of a South African Identity Document.
- Certified copy of the latest matric results including mid year Grade 12 results or latest University/academic results.
- Certificate or Proof of NSC results where applicable.
- Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance, or proof of applying at a recognised higher education institution.
- Recent proof of residence (not older than three months).
- Proof of income for parents or guardians (where applicable), such as recent payslips or declaration of unemployment.
- Recent bank statements for the last three months.
- SASSA Grant recipient certificate (where applicable).
- Medical certificate to prove type of disability (where applicable).
Applicants who intend to pursue later years of study should ensure that they have access to the latest academic results.
How to apply for the SIOC-CDT Bursary 2027
Applicants can apply for the bursary scheme online or manually.
Online applications
Students can use the online application system to submit their application.
Applicants should ensure that they have provided all the required information and supporting documents.
Manual applications
Applicants can obtain an application form from the relevant SIOC-CDT offices or download the application form from the organisation’s designated channels.
Completed applications must be submitted together with all required supporting documents.
Manual applications can be submitted to the following addresses:
SIOC-CDT Office Park
Block A, Ground Floor
Corner Hendrick Van Eck and Ian Flemming Road
Kathu
8446
Or:
SIOC-CDT Thabazimbi Business Hub
11 Jourdain Street
Mollies Building
Thabazimbi
0380
When does the bursary close?
The closing date for the 2027 scheme is:
Monday, 30 November 2026
Closing time: 12:00 midday
Students should not leave it to the final hours of the closing date to compile their applications, obtain certification or submit their applications.
Application does not guarantee funding
Applicants should note that the submission of an application is not a guarantee of receiving a bursary.
The bursary notice makes it clear that application, short listing, interview or provisional selection does not constitute a guarantee of receiving a bursary.
What students should do before applying
Applicants can make the application process easier by compiling the required documents before submitting their applications.
Before submitting their bursary applications, students should check that they have the following:
- Certified South African ID copy
- Your latest academic results
- Proof of acceptance, provisional acceptance or application to a qualifying institution
- Recent proof of residence
- Parents’ or guardians’ proof of income
- Recent bank statements
- Any relevant SASSA documentation
- Medical documentation if applying as a person living with a disability
- Completed bursary application form
- All supporting documents
Applicants should check that their intended field of study is among those specified in the 2027 priority fields of study.
SIOC-CDT Bursary 2027: at a glance
Detail Information
Bursary provider SIOC Community Development Trust
Academic year 2027
Target group Learners and students from SIOC-CDT beneficiary communities
Age limit 35 years or younger by closing date
Minimum NSC average 65%
Household income preference Up to R600,000 combined gross annual income
Study level Post-matric studies
Tuition Covered
Registration Covered
Accommodation Covered
Study materials Covered
Laptop Once-off donation
Monthly stipend Included
Disability support Assistive devices
Closing date 30 November 2026
Closing time 12:00 midday
Final reminder for applicants
The SIOC Community Development Trust Bursary 2027 is aimed at supporting post-matric students from designated communities and covers a wide range of fields of study.
Applicants should keep the following requirements in mind:
- 65% NSC average
- Age (must be 35 or younger)
- Communities that benefit from the trust
- Financial need requirements
- Priority fields of study
The application deadline is 30 November 2026 at 12:00 midday. Students should submit their applications well in advance of the deadline and ensure that all the required supporting documents are attached.
Editorial and fact-checking information
Author: SSETA Blog Editorial Team
Source: SIOC Community Development Trust Bursary Programme 2027 notice supplied for this article.
Fact-checking: The eligibility requirements, beneficiary communities, priority fields, funding coverage, required documents, application locations, and closing date were taken from the supplied 2027 bursary notice.
Important: Applicants should confirm any changes to the application procedure or requirements with SIOC-CDT before submitting applications.
Corrections: If any information changes or an error is identified, the article should be corrected in accordance with the latest information provided by the bursary.
