City of Ekurhuleni Community Bursary Programme 2026

The City of Ekurhuleni Community Bursary Programme 2026 invites applications from academically deserving students who intend to pursue full‑time undergraduate studies in 2026. This programme aims to support talented youth, widen access to higher education, and develop skills aligned to the City’s municipal service‑delivery needs.

Fields you can apply for

Applicants who meet the requirements may apply for one of the following fields (only qualifications offered by accredited South African universities, universities of technology, and TVET colleges are considered):

• Civil, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
• Town and Regional Planning / Architecture
• Environmental Science
• Finance, Accounting & Auditing
• Information Technology / Computer Science / Data Science
• Health Sciences

Eligibility requirements and common “gotchas”

These are the key screening criteria stated by the City (missing any of these can lead to your application being screened out):

• Residency: Must be a South African citizen residing within the City of Ekurhuleni (proof required).
• Age: Must be 18–35 years old.
• Schooling: Must have completed Grade 12.
• Admission: Must have an acceptance letter or proof of registration for the 2026 academic year.
• Household income: Must provide proof of total monthly household income.
• Document freshness: Certified copies must be not older than 3 months (see checklist).

What it covers

The City states the bursary can cover the following (subject to availability of funds):

• Registration and tuition fees
• Prescribed textbooks
• Accommodation and meals (where applicable)

The City notes the bursary is renewable annually, based on academic performance/results.

Conditions of the bursary

• Successful applicants must sign a bursary contract with the City.
• Students must maintain a minimum yearly average of 70% to continue receiving the bursary.
• Bursary recipients may be required to complete vacation work in municipal departments.
• The City reserves the right to withdraw the bursary for poor academic performance or misconduct.

Application checklist

Certified copies (not older than 3 months) of the following must accompany applications:

• South African ID
• Matric certificate
• Acceptance letter / proof of registration at an accredited institution
• Proof of residence within the City of Ekurhuleni (not older than 3 months)
• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Proof of household income (salary slips, stamped bank statement with an affidavit)
• Social grant proof (if applicable)

Check out our Bursaries Resources and Guides for additional information on bursaries and the application process.

Quick tips for applicants

• Make sure your proof of residence and certified copies are within 3 months.
• Keep your motivation letter to one page and link it to the field you’re applying for and the City’s service‑delivery needs.
• Use clear filenames for uploads (e.g., ID_Surname.pdf, Transcript_Surname.pdf).

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting without proof you live within the City of Ekurhuleni.
• Uploading certified copies older than 3 months.
• Applying without proof of acceptance/registration for 2026.
• Leaving out proof of total monthly household income.

Closing date

Applications close on 03 April 2026. Please note: only short‑listed applicants will be contacted. TVET College students are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

• Complete the online application form.
• Upload/prepare your supporting documents (see checklist below).
• Submit before the closing date and keep proof of submission.