Government Bursaries 2023- 2024

Are you looking for government bursaries offered for students? Studying is very expensive in South Africa and a first-year at a tertiary institution could cost you around R40k to R70k. No wonder why bursaries are such a big deal in South Africa. Luckily there are many Government departments in SA offering bursaries for students. 

What do Government Bursaries Cover?

A Bursary offered by a local municipality or Province will work in the same way as other bursaries. They will over fees for:

  • Registration
  • Tuition
  • Accommodation
  • Living costs
  • Books and other materials 

However, you will notice that most bursaries are capped by value. This means that they will only pay a certain amount of money for your study and most likely this will not be enough to cover everything. These bursaries are a great help but you will often need to pay a bit out of your own pockets or try to get work beside your study

Work for the Government

Although you don’t have to pay back a bursary, the institution offering the bursary will often ask for payback in the form of service. After you finished your education you will need to pay with service for the number of years you received the bursary. Make sure to read the small letters on the bursary contract.

How to find local Bursary Opportunities?

Finding bursaries offered by local municipalities and Provinces is not always straightforward. They are hard to find online and often the ones you can find online are outdated. Therefore it is always a smart thing to contact your local Municipality or Province to see if there are bursaries available. 

Government Bursaries Offered in SA By Province

There are a lot of bursaries offered by local municipalities or provinces. They are often offered to the students living in those areas.

Gauteng Province Bursaries

CityBursaryClosing DateApplication Forms
JohannesburgJohannesburg City Bursary11 October
JohannesburgCity Power Johannesburg
Department Employment & LabourCompensation Fund Bursary31 OctoberForm
EkurhuleniEkurhuleni Community Bursaries22 NovemberForm
FassetFasset Bursary (Careerwise)NoneForm
GautengGauteng City Region Academy (GCRA)31 March
GautengDep. Agriculture & Rural Dev.8 NovForm
GautengDepartment of Health

KwaZulu-Natal Province Bursaries

KZNDepartment of Health Bursary17 January
KZNDepartment of Transport9 November
KZNProvincial Transveral Bursary13 DecemberForm

Western Cape Province Bursaries

BitouBitou Mayoral Bursary10 JanuaryForm
Cape AlguhasCape Alguhas Municipality Bursary20 December
Cape TownCity of Cape Town Bursary19 SeptemberForm
Mossel BayMossel Bay Municipality8 NovemberForm
OudtshoornOudtshoorn Local Municipality Bursary22 NovemberForm
Western CapeDepartment of Health30 SeptemberForm
ElsenburgElsenburg Agriculture Institute30 June
Western CapeTreasure Bursary30 September
Western CapeCape Winelands Bursary30 November
Western CapeMasakh ‘ISizwe” Bursary30 September
Western CapeSwartland Municipality Bursary19 February

Eastern Cape Province Buraries

Chris Hani DistrictEngcobo Local Municipality2 October
Alfred Nzo DistrictANDM Bursary10 JanuaryForm
Buffalo CityBuffalo City Municipality Mayoral31 October
Eastern CapeDEDEA Bursary
Eastern CapeDepartment of Rural Development6 December
Eastern CapeDepartment of Health30 November
Eastern CapeDepartment of Public Works13 December
Eastern CapeDepartment of Roads & Transport6 February

Limpopo Province Bursaries

BloubergBlouberg Mayor Bursary19 JanuaryForm
CapricornCapricorn District Municipality20 December
PolokwanePolokwane Local Municipality Bursary11 November
LimpopoElias Motsoaledi Bursary14 January
LimpopoEphraim Mogale BursaryNoneForm
LimpopoLimpopo Provincial Treasury11 January
LimpopoDepartment of Public Works31 OctoberForm
LimpopoMakhuduthamaga Local Municipality2 January
LimpopoMopani District Municipality28 FebruaryForm
LimpopoMusina Mayoral Bursary18 December
LimpopoVhembe Local Municipality29 December

Mpumalanga Province Bursaries

BushbuckridgeLocal municipality Bursary17 JanuaryForm
MpumalangaMpumalanga province 31 OctoberForm

North West Province Bursaries

North WestDepartment of transport30 AugustForm

Free State Province Bursaries

Free StateFree State Online Careers

Nothern Cape Province Bursaries

Northern CapeSANRAL Bursary30 septForm
Northern CapeDepartment31 August

Central Government Bursaries South Africa

Department of Higher Education
Department of Finance
Department of Social Development
Department of Transport
Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery
Department of Public Works
Department of Correctional Services

Which Study Fields are Covered with these Bursaries?

  • Accounting (see all our accounting bursaries)
  • Auditing
  • Law (see our Law bursaries)
  • Economics
  • Econometrics
  • Nursing Science (See our Nursing bursaries)
  • UltraSound Radiography
  • Pharmacy
  • Optometry
  • Dentistry
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Physiotherapy
  • Plumbing
  • Welding
  • Brick laying
  • Painting
  • Electrical
  • Agricultural
  • Finance
  • LLB
  • Management
  • Taxation
  • Social Work
  • Food Service Management
  • Information & Technology (See our IT bursaries)
  • Financial & Management Accounting
  • Internal Auditing
  • And more

Candidates wanting to follow any of these fields of study will need to have the following to qualify for a bursary.  Each government department also has their own additional requirements.

Basic Requirements for Government Bursaries

  • Candidates must be a South African citizen with a valid ID Book / ID Card.
  • Candidates must be able to prove their need for financial aid.
  • Candidates must have outstanding academic records with proof of acceptance at a higher learning institute.
  • Candidates must prove that they are from a previously disadvantaged background.

With these fields of study available, the doors to South Africa and the world is open to successful students.  There are many local and international companies one could consider when looking at any of the fields accessible although candidates have to confirm ahead of time with the departments if there will be a work-back period.

2 thoughts on “Government Bursaries 2023- 2024”

  1. I’m a grade 12 learner @ Founders C School with with potential…I would like more information about to apply for busaries

    Reply
  2. I’m urgently in need of financial assistance,I’m doing national diploma in mechanical engineering and I’m only left with one semester,if I can get a funding

    Reply

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