The Tiso Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 is open for talented, financially needy South African students who want to pursue undergraduate study. Applications for 2027 funding close on 8 October 2026.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Tiso Foundation
Opportunity type: Undergraduate bursary and development programme
Who it’s for: South African youth from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who show academic potential, financial need and commitment to community upliftment
Study level: Undergraduate degrees and national diplomas
Institution type: Accredited higher-education institutions in South Africa
Closing date: 8 October 2026
Last verified: 16 August 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
This is not only a funding opportunity. The Tiso Foundation bursary is structured as a broader development programme, with financial assistance, academic support, life-skills development and career-networking support.
Your site has an older TISO Foundation post from a previous cycle. This row is intended as a current-cycle update for the 2027 undergraduate bursary window.
About the sponsor
The Tiso Foundation is a South African public benefit organisation focused on education funding, bursaries and youth development. It supports talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds so they can access higher education, develop leadership capacity and contribute to their communities.
Sponsor/entity link: Tiso Foundation
Programme page: Tiso Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme
What it covers
The programme provides financial support towards undergraduate degrees and national diplomas at accredited institutions. It also offers academic guidance, life-skills development, personal-development support and access to career or institutional networks after graduation. Applicants should confirm the final funded items and bursary conditions directly through the Tiso Foundation application portal if shortlisted.
Eligibility
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must generally be between 18 and 34 years old
- Must come from a previously disadvantaged background
- Must demonstrate genuine financial need
- Must be unemployed
- Must show commitment to studies and community upliftment
- Matric applicants should have strong Matric results, with a minimum average of about 70%
- Applicants already studying should have strong university results, with a minimum average of about 65%
- Must apply for undergraduate degree or national diploma studies at an accredited institution
Documents to prepare
- Certified South African ID copy
- Latest Matric results or Matric certificate
- Full tertiary academic record, if already studying
- Proof of application, acceptance or registration at an accredited institution, where available
- Proof of household income or financial circumstances
- Academic or character references
- Motivation or supporting statement explaining financial need, study goals and community commitment
- Any additional documents requested on the Tiso Foundation application portal
Closing date
8 October 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for postgraduate study through the undergraduate route
- Submitting an incomplete application before pressing final submit
- Leaving out proof of financial need or academic records
- Using an outdated TISO Foundation closing date from an older bursary post
- Submitting after the strict 8 October 2026 deadline
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against Tiso Foundation’s own Undergraduate / Tertiary Bursary Programme pages and application portal. The current official indexed programme page confirms that 2027 funding applications opened on 8 August 2026 and close on 8 October 2026. Your existing site result was checked and appears to be an older TISO Foundation post, not a current 2027 dedicated update.
How to apply
- Open the Tiso Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme page.
- Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your academic, identity and financial-need documents.
- Open the Tiso Foundation application portal.
- Complete the online application carefully and upload the required supporting documents.
- Submit before the closing date.