Complete Guide to Bursaries for Teaching Students in South Africa (2027)

Key Takeaways

• The Big Two: The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme and NSFAS remain the largest and most reliable funding sources for prospective teachers in South Africa for the 2027 academic year.
• Priority Subjects Are Crucial: Funza Lushaka does not fund all teaching degrees. You must specialize in national shortage areas like Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, or Indigenous African Languages.
• Age Limits Apply: To qualify for major government teaching bursaries like Funza Lushaka, first-time applicants must be 30 years old or younger.
• Work-Back Agreements: Most government teaching bursaries operate on a service-binding contract. For every year you receive funding, you are contractually obligated to teach at a public school chosen by the Department of Basic Education.
• The PGCE Factor: If you already have an undergraduate degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is your fastest route into teaching. However, PGCE funding through Funza Lushaka fluctuates; students must also explore options like the ETDP-SETA or ISFAP.

South Africa is currently facing a critical shortage of qualified educators, particularly in rural districts and within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Because the nation’s future relies heavily on the quality of its education system, teaching remains one of the most heavily funded academic pathways in the country.

If you are a matriculant passionate about shaping young minds, or an unemployed graduate looking to pivot into education via a PGCE, the financial barriers to studying should not hold you back. A multitude of government departments, private corporations, and educational trusts offer comprehensive bursaries for teaching students in South Africa.

This definitive guide breaks down the absolute best funding opportunities for the 2027 academic year. We will explore what each bursary covers, the strict eligibility requirements, priority subjects, and how to successfully navigate the application processes.

1. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme

When discussing bursaries for teaching students in South Africa, the Funza Lushaka Bursary is the gold standard. Managed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), this multi-year programme is designed specifically to recruit high-performing students into the teaching profession.

What Does Funza Lushaka Cover?

Funza Lushaka is a comprehensive, full-cost bursary. If your application is successful, the bursary will cover:

• Full university tuition fees.
• University-approved accommodation (residence or accredited private housing).
• A meal allowance.
• An allowance for prescribed textbooks and learning materials.
• A monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses.

The Catch: The Work-Back Agreement

Funza Lushaka is not a free ride; it is a binding employment contract. By accepting the funds, you agree to a “work-back” policy. Upon graduation, you must apply for a placement in a public school. You will be required to teach at a public school for the exact number of years you received the bursary. Furthermore, you do not get to choose your school—the provincial education departments will place you where the need is greatest, which frequently means rural or under-resourced communities.

Eligibility Requirements for 2027

To be considered for Funza Lushaka, you must meet stringent criteria:

• You must be a valid South African citizen with a green ID book or smart ID card.
• You must be 30 years old or younger when applying for the first time.
• You must have an excellent academic record (generally, a Bachelor’s pass in Matric).
• You must already be accepted into an approved Bachelor of Education (BEd) program at a public South African university (UNISA distance learning is sometimes excluded or restricted, so verify this early).
• You must commit to teaching Priority Subjects.

The Importance of Priority Subjects

The Department of Basic Education uses Funza Lushaka to plug specific holes in the education system. They will not fund you if you want to teach subjects that currently have an oversupply of teachers (such as Life Orientation, History, Geography, or Business Studies).

To secure funding for 2027, your degree major must include at least two of the following priority subjects.

Funza Lushaka Expected Priority Subjects (2027)

Teaching Phase	Approved Priority Subjects Required for Funding
Foundation Phase (Grades R – 3)	Indigenous African Languages (isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, etc.), Braille, SA Sign Language, Neurodevelopmental Needs.
Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 – 6)	Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, Indigenous African Languages.
Senior Phase (Grades 7 – 9)	Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, African Languages.
FET Phase (Grades 10 – 12)	Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Information Technology (IT), Computer Applications Technology (CAT), Agricultural Sciences, Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD).

Note: The application window for Funza Lushaka typically opens in October of the preceding year. For the 2027 intake, expect the e-Services portal to open around October 2026.

2. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

If your teaching subject combination does not align with Funza Lushaka’s strict priority list, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is your next best option. NSFAS is the largest government funding scheme in the country and fully funds Bachelor of Education (BEd) degrees across all public universities.

How NSFAS Differs from Funza Lushaka

• Income Bracket: NSFAS is strictly for students from working-class and poor backgrounds. Your combined household income must be below R350,000 per year to qualify. (Funza Lushaka does not have a strict household income cap, as it is based on academic merit and subject choice).
• Subject Freedom: NSFAS does not dictate which subjects you must major in. You can study to be a History or Life Orientation teacher and still receive full funding.
• No Work-Back Contract: Once you graduate through NSFAS, you are a free agent. You are not obligated to work for the government, and you can immediately seek employment at private schools or even abroad.

For more details on when to apply, check our comprehensive guide on the NSFAS application timeline.

3. Funding for the “Missing Middle” (ISFAP)

What happens if your parents earn R400,000 a year? You earn too much for NSFAS, but you likely cannot afford the R70,000+ per year required for university fees. This demographic is known as the “Missing Middle.”

For teaching students in this bracket, the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) is a massive lifeline.

ISFAP partners with specific universities to provide comprehensive bursaries to missing middle students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields, including education and STEM-focused teaching.

• Income Threshold: ISFAP covers students whose combined household income is between R0 and R600,000 per year.
• Coverage: It covers tuition, accommodation, meals, study materials, and provides a cash allowance.
• Mentorship: Unique to ISFAP is the inclusion of wrap-around support, providing beneficiaries with academic mentorship, psychological support, and life-skills training.

4. Top Corporate and Foundation Bursaries for Teachers

Beyond the government schemes, several private organizations, corporate trusts, and NGOs offer highly competitive bursaries for teaching students in South Africa. These are particularly lucrative as they often come with additional professional development, networking opportunities, and sometimes higher living allowances.

The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship

This is arguably the most prestigious private teaching fellowship in South Africa. It is aimed at producing expert teachers who will eventually become principals, curriculum designers, and educational leaders. The fellowship fully funds a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or BCom degree, followed immediately by a PGCE. They are looking for highly academic, entrepreneurial individuals.

The ETDP-SETA Bursary

The Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP-SETA) specifically provides funding to address skills shortages within the education sector. They frequently target unemployed graduates who wish to complete a PGCE in critical subjects like Mathematics and Science.

Use the table below to explore other notable private and provincial bursaries available for 2027.

Alternative Teaching Bursaries in South Africa

Bursary Name	Target Demographic & Requirements	Application Window
Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme	Specifically for students studying at universities in the Western Cape. Prioritizes rural learners and women.	Opens mid-year, closes late August.
StudyTrust Administered Bursaries	StudyTrust manages multiple corporate bursaries (e.g., Investec, Standard Bank) that frequently fund STEM education degrees.	Opens June, closes September.
HCI Foundation Bursary	Supports students studying at a public university with a gross family income of less than R38,500 per month.	Varies by university (usually first quarter).
Canon Collins Scholarships	Highly prestigious; primarily funds postgraduate education studies, including Honours and Masters in Education.	August – October
Provincial Government Bursaries	E.g., Mpumalanga or Northern Cape Provincial Government Bursaries. Aimed at retaining local teaching talent.	October – December

5. Understanding the Two Pathways: BEd vs. PGCE

When applying for these bursaries, you must apply for a specific qualification. Funding organizations treat these two pathways differently.

The Bachelor of Education (BEd)

This is a standard 4-year undergraduate degree. From your very first year, you are studying educational psychology, pedagogy, and classroom management alongside your chosen teaching subjects.

• Funding Outlook: Excellent. NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, and almost all corporate bursaries heavily favor 4-year BEd students because their commitment to the teaching profession is clear from day one.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

If you already possess a BSc, BCom, or BA degree, you do not need to study another 4-year degree to become a teacher. You simply complete a 1-year PGCE. This acts as a professional capping qualification, teaching you how to teach the subjects you already mastered in your undergraduate degree.

• Funding Outlook: Fluctuating. Funza Lushaka occasionally suspends funding for PGCE students depending on budget constraints (for example, they did not fund PGCEs in 2026, though this may change for 2027). If you are a PGCE student, your best funding routes are the ETDP-SETA, university-specific financial aid, and private fellowships like Jakes Gerwel.

6. How to Ensure Your Application Succeeds

Competition for bursaries for teaching students in South Africa is intense. A single mistake on your application form will result in immediate disqualification. Follow these core principles to secure your 2027 funding:

1. Secure University Admission First: You cannot apply for Funza Lushaka or ISFAP without a valid university student number. Apply to at least three public universities during their early application windows (usually April to July) to ensure you have a firm offer before bursary portals open.
2. Align with Priority Subjects: If you want corporate or Funza Lushaka funding, you must choose the hard subjects. Registering for Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or Indigenous Languages practically guarantees your funding if your marks are decent.
3. Certify Everything Properly: Government departments are incredibly strict regarding documentation. When you upload your ID, Matric results, and proof of income, ensure every document has been certified by the SAPS or a Commissioner of Oaths within the last three months.
4. Write a Powerful Motivational Letter: Many private bursaries (like SANZAF or corporate trusts) require a motivational letter. Do not just write that you need money. Explain why you want to be a teacher. Detail how you plan to uplift your community, your passion for your chosen subject, and your long-term career goals in education.

7. The Crucial Next Step: Getting Your Documents Ready

As discussed, having a university acceptance letter is the mandatory first step before you can even touch a bursary application form. Applying to a university like UNISA requires meticulous document preparation. If your files are the wrong format or too large, the system will reject you.

To ensure you don’t miss out on securing your spot for the 2027 academic year, read our step-by-step guide on the exact documents needed for UNISA application 2027, including how to scan them correctly to avoid automated rejections.

Disclaimer: The bursary allowances, priority subjects, and application dates detailed in this article are based on official guidelines and historical trends applicable to the 2027 academic intake. Government funding models (like Funza Lushaka and NSFAS) and corporate budgets are subject to change without prior notice. Always verify the latest requirements, closing dates, and subject lists directly on the official bursary portals before making your final application submissions.