Bursaries
Top 15 Bursaries in South Africa for 2026 — Apply Now
A comprehensive guide to the best bursaries available to South African students in 2026. From government bursaries to corporate scholarships — find funding for your studies.
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Nomvula Shabalala
Education Finance Writer
Published 10 January 2026Updated 20 April 202612 min read
Best Bursaries for South African Students in 2026
While NSFAS is the most well-known funding source, South Africa has dozens of bursaries that students miss. Here is our comprehensive guide to the top options for 2026.
Government Bursaries
1. National Skills Fund (NSF) Bursary
- Value: Full tuition + accommodation + living allowance
- Field: Priority scarce skills (engineering, health, education, agriculture)
- Eligibility: SA citizens, household income under R600,000/year
- Application: nsf.ac.za
2. Department of Social Development Bursary
- Value: Up to R80,000 per year
- Field: Social work, child development, community development
- Eligibility: Final year / honours students
- Application: DSD provincial offices
3. NSFAS Disability Bursary
- Value: Full NSFAS package + additional disability support
- Field: All qualifications at NSFAS-accredited institutions
- Eligibility: Students with documented disabilities
- Application: myNSFAS.org.za
4. Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI)
- Value: Monthly stipend during work experience
- Field: Various — linked to employment
- Eligibility: Youth 18–35, not employed or studying full-time
- Application: youth.gov.za
Corporate Bursaries (STEM Focus)
5. Sasol Bursary
- Value: Full tuition, accommodation, books, living allowance
- Field: Chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, IT
- Eligibility: NSC with 70%+ in Maths and Science, Grade 11 or 12
- Application: sasol.com/careers
- Deadline: September/October annually
6. Anglo American Bursary
- Value: Full cost of study bursary
- Field: Mining engineering, geology, metallurgy, civil engineering
- Eligibility: Grade 12 or first year students
- Application: angloamerican.com
- Deadline: September annually
7. Eskom Bursary
- Value: Full tuition + accommodation + book allowance
- Field: Electrical, civil, mechanical engineering, finance
- Eligibility: South African citizens, academic excellence
- Application: eskom.co.za
8. Transnet Engineering Bursary
- Value: Full bursary + vacation employment
- Field: Engineering disciplines
- Eligibility: Grade 12 maths 60%+ and science 60%+
- Application: transnet.net
Banking & Finance Bursaries
9. Standard Bank Bursary
- Value: Tuition + books + living allowance
- Field: Commerce, finance, actuarial science, IT, engineering
- Eligibility: 65%+ academic average
- Application: standardbank.co.za
- Deadline: October annually
10. Absa Bursary
- Value: Full tuition + living expenses
- Field: Finance, economics, accounting, IT
- Eligibility: South African citizens, strong academic record
- Application: absa.co.za
11. Capitec Bank Foundation Bursary
- Value: Tuition + accommodation
- Field: Commerce, finance, mathematics
- Eligibility: South African citizens, financial need + merit
- Application: capitecbank.co.za
Health Sector Bursaries
12. HPCSA / Provincial Health Bursaries
- Value: Full tuition + monthly stipend
- Field: Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dentistry
- Eligibility: Commitment to work in public health after graduation
- Application: Your provincial health department website
13. Rural Doctors Association Bursary (RUDASA)
- Value: Tuition support
- Field: Medicine — rural practice focus
- Application: rudasa.org.za
Merit-Based Scholarships
14. Allan Gray Fellowship
- Value: Full funding + leadership programme
- Field: Any — merit and leadership focus
- Eligibility: Exceptional students with entrepreneurial vision
- Application: allangray.co.za/fellowship
15. Telkom Foundation Bursary
- Value: Full tuition + accommodation + book allowance
- Field: ICT, engineering, computer science
- Eligibility: South African citizens, financial need, academic merit
- Application: telkom.co.za
How to Write a Winning Bursary Application
- Research the company — show you understand their industry
- Align your goals with their business needs
- Be specific about financial need — include documentation
- Highlight achievements — academic, community, leadership
- Professional references — teacher or community leader
- Proofread thoroughly — errors disqualify good applications
Key Application Tips
- Apply to multiple bursaries simultaneously
- Keep a spreadsheet of deadlines
- Most corporate bursaries open in September/October for the following year
- Government bursaries are year-round
- Never pay to apply for a bursary — legitimate bursaries are free
#bursaries#South Africa#2026#scholarships#student funding
N
Nomvula Shabalala
Education Finance Writer
Expert in South African student finance and government grants, with a focus on helping beneficiaries navigate NSFAS and SASSA processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a bursary and a scholarship in South Africa?
A bursary is primarily need-based financial aid that covers study costs. A scholarship is usually merit-based (academic, sports, or arts achievement). Many South African bursaries combine both need and merit criteria.
Can I apply for a bursary and NSFAS at the same time?
Yes, but many bursaries require you to disclose other funding. Some corporate bursaries are stackable with NSFAS, while others replace NSFAS funding entirely.