Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme 2026 Applications: Guide

Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary 2026 Applications 

Are you looking for a teaching bursary in South Africa that can fully fund your studies? The Funza Lushaka Bursary applications for 2026 are open, this is a government-funded programme designed for students who want to pursue a career in teaching and make a real difference in the country's classrooms.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Funza Lushaka Bursary for 2026, from the eligibility requirements and what it covers, to the service contract you'll need to fulfill after you graduate.

We've simplified the official information to help you understand exactly how to apply, what subjects are prioritized for funding, and whether this is the right opportunity for you.

 Funza Lushaka Bursary Eligibility Criteria

1. Clean Record: You MUST have a clean criminal record. Before you apply, you need to check that your name is NOT on any of these lists:

• The police's criminal record system.

• The National Register for Sexual Offenders.

• The National Child Protection Register.

• If you have a record that is over 10 years old, you can try to get it expunged. If it's less than 10 years old, you cannot apply.

2. Age Limit: If you're applying for the first time, you must be under 30 years old when applications open.

3. No Existing Teaching Qualification: If you already have a teaching diploma or degree, you can't get this bursary.

4. South African Citizen: You must be a South African citizen with a valid ID.

Funza Lushaka Exclusions and Non-Funded Programs

This is super important so you don't waste your time applying for the wrong thing.

• PGCE: The PGCE is NOT funded in 2026.

• Oversubscribed Subjects: If you want to teach these subjects, you won't get funding: History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, EMS, Life Orientation, and Physical Education. The government says there are already too many unemployed teachers in these fields.

• Low-Demand Subjects: Subjects like Religious Studies, Music, Dance, and Art are also not funded.

• Postgraduate Degrees: The bursary does not pay for Honours, Master's, or PhDs.

Funza Lushaka Funded Programmes

The bursary is for two types of undergraduate qualifications:

• A 4-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in:

• Foundation Phase (Grade R-3)

• Intermediate Phase (Grade 4-6)

• Senior & Further Education Phase (Grade 7-12)

• A 4-year Bachelor's in Early Childhood Care and Education (B.ECCE) for Grade RR-R (only offered at certain universities).

Your degree must allow you to specialise as a teacher in at least two priority subjects. These are subjects where schools are desperate for teachers, like South African Indigenous Languages, Mathematics, Physical Science, and Technology.

Also look: Top Private Colleges Offering Teaching Courses in South Africa

What Does the Bursary Cover?

It covers most of your main costs:

• Full tuition fees

• Accommodation and meals

• Books and learning materials

• A small living allowance (depending on your university's costs)

Funza Lushaka Bursary Terms and Conditions

When you accept the bursary, you sign a contract agreeing to:

• Teach at a public school after you graduate.

• You must teach for the same number of years that you received the bursary (e.g., 4 years of funding = 4 years of teaching).

• You have 6 months after graduating to find a teaching job. The government won't place you in a job, but you must show proof that you are actively applying.

• If you break the rules (like changing your subjects without permission), you will have to pay back EVERYTHING, plus interest.

How Do You Apply?

1. Get Accepted First: You MUST have a student number and be accepted (even provisionally) into an approved teaching programme at a public university.

2. Apply Online: The ONLY way to apply is online at www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za. No paper forms!

3. Submit Documents: After applying online, you must submit your supporting documents to the Funza Lushaka office at your university.

Also look: 6 Universities That Are Still Open for 2026 Applications

A Final Word

This is a competitive bursary. Meeting all the minimum requirements does not guarantee you will get it. They select the best candidates from the pool of applicants.

If you have any questions, always contact the Funza Lushaka coordinators at your university first. Do not call NSFAS or the DBE directly.

Good luck! If you meet the criteria, this is an amazing opportunity to start a career that truly makes a difference.