Government Bursaries Open for 2027 Undergraduate Applications

SA Government Bursaries for 2027 Undergraduates & Postgrads

If you are planning to study at a university in 2027, now is a good time to look at government bursaries and student funding programmes that can help pay for your studies.

Several application opportunities are already available, including funding for students who want to become teachers and bursaries offered by municipalities.

The important thing is to check which programme matches your circumstances. Some government bursaries are available only to students living in a particular municipality, while others support specific qualifications such as teaching.

NSFAS is different because it provides financial assistance to eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges.

In this guide, we look at government bursaries and funding opportunities for the 2027 academic year, their closing dates, eligibility requirements, what they cover and where to apply.

Government bursaries for 2027: Applications and closing dates

Here is a quick overview of the opportunities covered in this article. Application dates can change, so check the official application portal before submitting your documents.

1. Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a government-funded bursary for students who want to pursue a teaching career in South Africa.

It supports qualifying teaching qualifications and aims to help address the country's need for teachers, particularly in priority subjects and areas.

Applications for the 2027 academic year are open through the official Funza Lushaka portal.

Who can apply for Funza Lushaka?

The programme is intended for eligible students who want to study towards a teaching qualification.

First-time applicants must be 30 years old or younger.

Your intended qualification and teaching subjects must meet the programme's requirements. Applicants should consult the current subject priority areas and bursary application notes before applying.

Students should also understand that this is not an ordinary bursary with no further obligation.

Successful recipients are required to teach at a public school for the period specified under the programme's conditions.

Funza Lushaka 2027 closing dates

The official application portal lists the following deadlines:

• New applicants: 31 January 2027.

• Existing or returning bursars: 30 November 2026.

Returning students should not assume that the new-applicant deadline applies to them. If you are already receiving Funza Lushaka funding, submit your reapplication before the earlier deadline.

What does the Funza Lushaka bursary cover?

The bursary can contribute towards approved study expenses, subject to the programme's rules and funding arrangements.

Students should read the current bursary notes to understand which costs are covered and what happens if they change qualifications or fail to meet the conditions.

How to apply:

Visit the official Funza Lushaka bursary website and follow the application instructions. The process uses the government's e-Services portal.

2. NSFAS funding for the 2027 academic year

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the main funding options for eligible students who want to study at public universities or TVET colleges in South Africa.

Although NSFAS is commonly included in searches for government bursaries, it is more accurate to describe it as a student financial aid scheme.

Depending on the applicant's circumstances and the applicable rules, funding may take the form of a bursary or a student loan.

NSFAS funding is particularly important for students who cannot afford the cost of higher education and meet the scheme's eligibility requirements.

Who qualifies for NSFAS in 2027?

Eligibility depends on your citizenship or qualifying residency status, household financial circumstances, academic situation and the programme you intend to study.

Applicants should use the official NSFAS eligibility guidance rather than relying on a general income figure found on another website.

Different funding rules may apply to particular categories of students, including students with disabilities.

You should also apply for admission to your chosen institution separately.

An NSFAS application does not automatically mean that a university or TVET college has accepted you.

NSFAS 2027 application closing date

The NSFAS website currently displays 31 October 2026 as the closing date for 2027 applications.

A government announcement at the launch of the application cycle also reported a later date, so applicants should check the live NSFAS portal and its latest official notices before relying on either date.

Do not leave your application until the final days.

Create your myNSFAS profile, complete the application, upload the documents requested by the system and save your application reference number.

How to apply for NSFAS 2027

Applications are submitted online through the official NSFAS website. You can create or access your myNSFAS account, complete the required details and track your application status.

Applying is free. Do not pay someone who claims they can guarantee funding or ask for your account password or one-time PIN.

How to apply: Visit the official NSFAS application page.

3. City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027

The City of Johannesburg is offering 200 bursaries for the 2027 academic year to eligible students who permanently reside in Johannesburg.

The programme supports full-time undergraduate studies at recognised South African tertiary institutions.

This is an opportunity worth checking if you live within the City of Johannesburg's municipal area and intend to pursue a qualification in one of the approved fields.

Fields of study funded by the City of Johannesburg

The bursary covers a broad range of undergraduate study areas, including:

• Actuarial Science.

• Built Environment, including architecture, construction, urban and regional planning, and quantity surveying.

• Business Management and Commerce.

• Community Services and Emergency Management Services.

• Engineering fields.

• Finance, including accounting, auditing, economics, supply chain management and risk and compliance management.

• Geo Information Science.

• Health.

• Humanities and Social Sciences.

• Information Technology and Management.

• International Relations and Protocol.

• Legal studies.

• Logistics and Marketing.

• Municipal Governance, including Monitoring and Evaluation.

• Real Estate, including property management and property valuation.

Applicants should check the bursary advertisement to confirm that their exact qualification is covered.

What does the City of Johannesburg bursary cover?

The bursary provides financial assistance towards registration fees, tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and study materials, up to a maximum of R40,000 per academic year.

Accommodation, meals and transport should not be assumed to be covered. The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time and may be renewed subject to satisfactory academic performance.

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet the stated requirements, including the following:

• Be a South African citizen.

• Permanently reside in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

• Be in Matric or have completed Matric.

• Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an undergraduate qualification.

• Study at a recognised South African tertiary institution.

• Meet the academic requirements and have a strong academic record.

• Not receive another bursary, grant or other form of study funding.

The qualification must be at least one year long. Postgraduate studies are not covered.

City of Johannesburg bursary closing date

The published closing date is 30 October 2026.

Applications must be submitted online.

Prepare the required supporting documents, including your ID, Matric results or certificate, recent academic records if you are already studying, proof of Johannesburg residence and the requested household income documents.

How to apply: Use the City of Johannesburg 2027 bursary application form. You can also check the City of Johannesburg's official opportunities page for the bursary notice.

4. Limpopo Department of Public Works Bursary

The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure provides bursary support for priority skills needed in infrastructure, construction and related fields.

The department's published bursary information identifies areas such as engineering, quantity surveying, architectural science, landscaping, asset management and information technology. Its broader information booklet also identifies fields including civil engineering, financial management, property and facilities management, town planning and computer science.

This bursary may be worth investigating if you are a South African student who intends to study in a field relevant to the department's skills needs.

Who can apply for the Limpopo bursary?

The department's published requirements include South African citizenship, acceptance or intended study at a recognised South African tertiary institution, and a qualification that matches its priority needs.

The bursary information also refers to Grade 12 Mathematics and Science or an NTC 3 qualification.

Applicants who have previously failed may not be considered unless they repeat the relevant studies at their own expense.

The department's more recent information booklet identifies students residing in Limpopo and studying towards qualifications in the built environment as a target group.

Check the current advertisement to confirm the residence, qualification and academic requirements for the 2027 intake.

What does the Limpopo Department of Public Works bursary cover?

The department's published bursary page lists support for expenses such as:

• Registration.

• Tuition.

• Meals.

• Accommodation.

• Books.

Payments are made in accordance with the department's bursary arrangements. Successful applicants are also required to sign a bursary agreement.

One important condition is the service obligation: recipients may be required to work for the department for a period equivalent to the number of years of bursary sponsorship. Read the agreement carefully before accepting an award.

Limpopo bursary 2027 closing date

The department's bursary page states that the annual closing date is 31 October. However, the page contains general programme information, so confirm that the 2027 intake is open and that the same deadline applies to the current advertisement.

How to apply: Visit the Limpopo Department of Public Works bursary page and check the latest bursary notice and application form. 

5. Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayoral Bursary 2027

The Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayoral Bursary is aimed at eligible Grade 12 learners who reside within the municipality and want to continue their studies at a university or another institution of higher learning in 2027.

It is particularly relevant to learners in the Vaal area, including communities such as Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Sebokeng, Evaton and Sharpeville, provided they meet the municipality's residence and application requirements.

Who can apply for the Emfuleni bursary?

The published 2027 bursary information lists the following requirements:

• Be a South African citizen.

• Reside within Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng.

• Have completed Matric with a minimum overall average of 60%.

• Be entering the first year of full-time undergraduate study in 2027.

• Have applied or been accepted at a university or another qualifying institution of higher learning in South Africa.

• Have a combined household income of no more than R350,000 per year.

• Not be receiving another bursary.

Preference is given to applicants from disadvantaged family backgrounds, particularly families registered on the municipality's indigent database. Preference may also be given to students enrolling at local institutions.

Check the current application form carefully, especially if you have applied for other funding.

Fields of study covered

The preferred fields include:

• Commerce.

• Law.

• Human and Social Sciences.

• Science and Technology.

• Technical skills, including Electrical, Civil and Chemical Engineering.

• Other scarce and critical skills identified by the municipality.

What does the Emfuleni bursary cover?

The bursary information lists registration fees, tuition fees, books and a laptop. Accommodation and food may also be covered for selected students.

The final award and the expenses covered depend on the municipality's bursary arrangements. Applicants should read the current form and terms before accepting funding.

Emfuleni bursary 2027 closing date

Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.

You can download the Emfuleni Mayoral Bursary 2027 application form.

Application forms are also reported to be available from municipal offices and public libraries. If you need clarification, the published contact details are:

• Telephone: 084 686 4418.

• Email: MarthaM@emfuleni.gov.za.

• Alternative email: Mayorsoffice@emfuleni.gov.za.

Use the current 2027 form as the final reference for supporting documents and submission instructions.

How to improve your chances of receiving a government bursary

Applying for a bursary does not guarantee that you will receive funding. Each programme has its own selection criteria, and some have limited budgets or specific skills requirements.

Start by checking whether your qualification is covered.

A student planning to become a teacher may be suited to Funza Lushaka, while someone living in Johannesburg should investigate the City of Johannesburg bursary if their chosen qualification is eligible.

Prepare your documents early. Depending on the programme, you may need your South African ID, Matric results or certificate, recent academic records, proof of residence, household income documents and proof of admission or application to a tertiary institution.

Make sure that all copies are clear and that the details on your application match your supporting documents.

Keep proof of submission and monitor the official portal or contact channel for updates.

You should also apply for university or college admission separately where required. A bursary application does not automatically secure a place at an institution.

More bursary and study funding resources

If none of the programmes above matches your circumstances, do not stop searching. There are other funding opportunities from provincial departments, municipalities, public entities, companies and foundations.

You can also read YouthDaily's guide to government free online courses in South Africa if you want to develop additional skills while preparing for your studies.

For students comparing qualifications and training options, our guide to the best training courses to get job opportunities in South Africa may also be useful. If you are considering accredited training rather than a university qualification, see how to find SETA-accredited online courses.