The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) 2027 bursary application is open. The general applicant route is for eligible applicants from sugarcane-growing areas who are registered or have applied for Science, Engineering or Agriculture study and meet the stated income band. Children of sugarcane farm workers may apply for any field of study and are exempt from that income-band requirement. Applications must reach the South African Sugar Association by 30 November 2026.
Closing date: 30 November 2026
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education
- Opportunity type: Bursary
- Who it’s for: Applicants registered or applying for Science, Engineering or Agriculture at a university, university of technology or college of agriculture, who are from sugarcane-growing areas and meet the stated family-income band. Children of sugarcane farm workers may apply for any field at these institutions and are exempt from the income-band requirement.
- Study level: Tertiary study; the official form does not specify a particular year or level.
- Location: South Africa; applicants must be from sugarcane-growing areas unless applying under the sugarcane farm worker’s child provision.
- Academic year: 2027
- Closing date: 30 November 2026
- Last verified: 2026-11-09
High-value notes (read this first)
The general route requires study in Science, Engineering or Agriculture, residence in a sugarcane-growing area and combined family income between R350,000 and R600,000.
Children of sugarcane farm workers may apply for any field of study at a university, university of technology or college of agriculture and are exempt from the missing-middle income band. The form requests proof such as a salary slip or grower code.
Initial shortlisting is based on Grade 11 final results and Grade 12 June results, or latest tertiary results. Final selection is based on final Matric results.
The form says shortlisting is planned for the first week of December 2026 and shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in January 2027.
The form says applicants who have not heard by 31 January 2027 should consider their application unsuccessful.
About the sponsor
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) says its mission is to support, promote and advance sustainable, quality education in South African sugarcane-growing areas. The fund is connected to the sugar industry and provides this bursary opportunity for eligible applicants pursuing further study. Its 2027 application form sets out a general route for specified study fields and an additional provision for children of sugarcane farm workers.
What it covers
Not specified on the official application page.
Eligible fields
- Science
- Engineering, including Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
- Agriculture
- Children of sugarcane farm workers may apply for any field of study
Eligibility
- General applicants must be registered or have applied to study Science, Engineering or Agriculture at a university, university of technology or college of agriculture.
- General applicants must be from sugarcane-growing areas.
- General applicants must be in the missing-middle family combined-income band of R350,000 to R600,000.
- Children of sugarcane farm workers may apply for any field of study at a university, university of technology or college of agriculture and are exempt from the missing-middle income band.
Documents to prepare
- Certified copy of identity document.
- Final Grade 12 trial and Matric statement of results, or final tertiary examination results if already registered at an institution.
- Proof of family income, such as a payslip, pension receipts or an affidavit detailing income or unemployment.
- Confirmation of application or registration at a university, university of technology or college of agriculture.
- Proof of sugar industry connection, if connected.
- Death certificate if a parent is deceased.
- Proof of sugarcane farm worker parent’s status, such as a salary slip or grower code, if applying under that provision.
Closing date
30 November 2026
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the general applicant route is open to any field of study: it is for Science, Engineering or Agriculture applicants from sugarcane-growing areas who meet the stated family-income band.
- Assuming children of sugarcane farm workers must study only Science, Engineering or Agriculture or meet the missing-middle income band: the page says they may apply for any field and are exempt from that band.
- Leaving out required documents, including certified ID, results, proof of income and confirmation of application or registration.
- Attaching original certificates or testimonials; the form says originals cannot be returned.
- Treating shortlisting as final selection: the page says final selection is based on final Matric results.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against SITFE’s official 2027 application form on 9 November 2026.
How to apply
- Use the Apply Here button below to open the official 2027 application form.
- Complete the form in full, providing the requested personal, study, family and financial details.
- Upload the documents required by the form checklist. Do not attach original certificates or testimonials.
- Submit the completed application so it reaches the South African Sugar Association on or before 30 November 2026.