7 SA Bursaries That Fund Private College Students for 2027

List of Bursaries That Fund Private College Students for 2027

Paying for a private college in South Africa can be expensive. Many students need help with tuition fees, registration and other study costs. 

Although NSFAS does not fund private colleges, there are other bursaries worth looking at.

The important thing is to find funding that actually accepts students at private institutions. Some bursaries only pay for studies at public universities and TVET colleges, so they will not help a student at a private college.

Below are six bursaries and financial aid options for students planning to study in 2027. 

Some are only open to people living in certain areas, while others have limits on the courses they fund.

1. Perdekraal East Wind Farm Bursary 2027

Closing date: 31 October 2026

The Perdekraal East Wind Farm bursary is open to South African citizens who want to study at an accredited private or public institution. It can support students going to TVET colleges, universities of technology and universities.

The bursary is mainly for people from communities near the wind farm, including Ceres, Bella Vista, Nduli and Prince Alfred Hamlet.

You can apply if you are currently in matric or completed your matric or NTC in an earlier year. People who completed Grade 9 and want to study a TVET or FET course can also apply.

The amount awarded depends on each student's needs. Funding may cover tuition, registration and examination fees, accommodation, meals and study materials.

This is a useful option if you live in one of the named communities and plan to study at an accredited private college.

How to apply: Submit your application through StudyTrust.

Apply for the Perdekraal East Wind Farm Bursary

2. Sibona Ilanga Trust Bursary 2027

Closing date: 31 October 2026

The Sibona Ilanga Trust bursary helps people who want to continue studying after school. It accepts students at recognised public and private institutions, including TVET colleges, universities of technology and academic universities.

However, you must live within 50 kilometres of the De Aar Solar Power plant to qualify. You must also be a South African citizen and meet the bursary's other requirements.

The amount awarded depends on the applicant. The bursary may help pay tuition, registration and examination fees, accommodation, meals and learning materials.

If you live near De Aar and want to study at a private college, this is worth considering. Students who live elsewhere in South Africa do not qualify just because they have been accepted at a private institution.

How to apply: Complete the online application through StudyTrust.

Apply for the Sibona Ilanga Trust Bursary

We have listed: TVET Colleges Open for 2027 Applications in South Africa

3. Cornerstone Institute Financial Aid

Closing date for returning students applying for 2027: 31 October 2026

Cornerstone Institute is a private higher education institution in Salt River, Cape Town. It offers financial help to some students who struggle to pay their fees.

This option is different from a general bursary because the funding is for students at Cornerstone Institute itself. It cannot be used to pay fees at another private college.

The financial aid fund usually covers part of a student's fees rather than paying the full amount. Support depends on financial need, academic performance and the money available.

If you already study at Cornerstone and need help paying for 2027, the current application period for returning students closes on 31 October. New students have different application dates: those starting in January can apply for financial aid up to the end of January, according to the institute's published information.

How to apply: Read the requirements and complete the financial aid form on the institute's website.

Apply for Cornerstone Institute Financial Aid

4. Amandla Omoya Trust Bursary 2027

Closing date: 31 October 2026

The Amandla Omoya Trust bursary is another option for students who live in a specific area. It supports South African citizens who want to study at accredited public or private institutions.

You must live within 50 kilometres of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm. The bursary is managed by StudyTrust and can support study at private or public TVET colleges, universities of technology and universities.

The funding amount is decided for each applicant. It may help pay tuition, registration and examination fees, accommodation, meals and learning materials.

The main things to consider are your home address, your financial need and your academic results. Living outside the required area means you will not qualify for this bursary.

How to apply: Submit your application through StudyTrust before the closing date.

Apply for the Amandla Omoya Trust Bursary

Also look: Top 4 Private Colleges in South Africa That Offer Engineering

5. Letsatsi Borutho Trust Bursary 2027

Closing date: 31 October 2026

The Letsatsi Borutho Trust bursary helps people from communities near the Droogfontein Solar Power plant pay for further studies. It accepts applications from South African citizens who live within 50 kilometres of the plant.

Unlike bursaries limited to university degrees, this programme also considers certain technical and skills courses. These can include courses such as plumbing and bricklaying at the required NQF level, as well as national diplomas and degrees.

The trust accepts students at recognised public and private institutions. The amount awarded depends on the applicant and may cover tuition, registration and examination fees, accommodation, meals and learning materials.

This could be useful for someone who wants to study a technical course at a private college but cannot afford the fees. You still need to meet the location, academic and financial requirements.

How to apply: Apply through StudyTrust's online application platform. The trust also lists an application contact at b.ndlovu@studytrust.org.za.

Read the Letsatsi Borutho Trust Bursary Details

6. Women in IT Bursary Programme 2027

Closing date: 15 January 2027

Women who want to study information and communications technology (ICT) can also apply for the Women in IT bursary programme. Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 9 October 2026.

The bursary helps qualifying women pay for ICT studies. It can cover tuition and registration fees, prescribed textbooks and study materials, and eligible student accommodation. It can also provide a laptop once if the student does not already have a suitable one.

Importantly, students at private institutions can apply if their institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training and their qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The bursary is for full-time students. Funding depends on the committee's decision and the money available. Recipients must also meet the programme's academic and other conditions to keep their funding.

This is a particularly useful option for women planning to study IT or another eligible ICT qualification at a private college in 2027.

How to apply: Complete the online application form on the Women in IT website. The closing date is 15 January 2027 at 23:59.

Apply for the Women in IT Bursary

Which private bursary should you choose?

Your location, course and college will determine which options are open to you.

• Perdekraal East Wind Farm: For eligible applicants from Ceres, Bella Vista, Nduli and Prince Alfred Hamlet.

• Sibona Ilanga Trust: For applicants living within 50 km of the De Aar Solar Power plant.

• Cornerstone Institute Financial Aid: For students studying at Cornerstone Institute.

• Amandla Omoya Trust: For applicants living within 50 km of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.

• Letsatsi Borutho Trust: For applicants living within 50 km of the Droogfontein Solar Power plant.

• Women in IT: For qualifying women studying eligible ICT courses full-time, including at eligible private institutions.

Also look: Government Bursaries Open for 2027 Undergraduate Applications

The first five options have specific location or institution limits. Women in IT is different because its main focus is on women studying eligible ICT qualifications.

Why NSFAS and some popular bursaries are not included

NSFAS funds eligible students at public universities and public TVET colleges. It does not pay tuition fees at private colleges.

Other bursaries may also limit funding to public institutions or certain universities. A bursary should not be included in a private-college funding list unless its published rules support that type of study.

These six options have information supporting their relevance to private-institution students, although each has its own requirements. A bursary is also different from a student loan, because a loan must be repaid.

There are ways to get financial help for private college studies in South Africa, but the right bursary depends on where you live, what you want to study and which institution you plan to attend.

If you qualify for one of the location-based trusts, pay attention to the October deadlines. 

Women in IT has a later deadline, making it another option for women planning to study an eligible ICT course in 2027.

Use the official links above to apply directly rather than relying on social media posts that may leave out important eligibility rules.