The Free State Provincial Government (Office of the Premier) invites applications for its full‑time bursary for the 2026 academic year, prioritising financially needy youth studying in listed scarce and critical skills.
At a glance
- Who it’s for: Unemployed Free State residents (SA citizens) applying for full‑time study in identified scarce/critical skills
- What it covers: Registration, approved modules, residence & meals (per HEI tariffs), books and essential equipment
- Service obligation: Administered by the Office of the Premier; contract required for successful candidates
- Key dates: Closing date: 16 Jan 2026 @ 16:00
- Other notes: Household income ≤ R600,000 p.a.; no double dipping (no other sponsorship)
Who’s offering this?
The Free State Provincial Government – Office of the Premier is the central executive office of the Free State province, based in Bloemfontein. It supports the Premier in leading and coordinating provincial government, providing strategic direction, policy coordination, and administrative support to the Executive Council and departments. The Office promotes integrated planning, good governance, and improved service delivery across the province.
It also oversees the provincial bursary programme, which offers full-time funding to financially needy but academically deserving Free State youth to study scarce and critical skills (such as engineering, medicine, ICT, accounting and social work) at recognised higher education institutions, with graduates usually required to return and work in the province to help address key skills shortages.
What’s on offer
The programme funds Free State youth to enter high‑demand fields and build provincial capacity.
- Registration and approved modules (paid once per module)
- Prescribed residence and meal fees as per HEI recommendations
- Books/study materials; special equipment where necessary (case‑by‑case)
- Contract to serve the province after graduation may apply
Sample scarce/critical fields (Full list on the application form)
Consult the application form for the complete 2026 list.
- Actuarial Science; Community Development; Natural Sciences
- Education (Accounting, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, ECD)
- Engineering and other provincially prioritised programmes
- Many others listed on the application form – see link below.
Eligibility checklist
- SA citizen; Free State resident; unemployed; academically performing well
- Household income ≤ R600,000; not holding any other sponsorship
- Accepted/enrolled at a recognised higher education institution
- Submit all required certified documents; incomplete applications not considered
- Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Documents to prepare
- Certified SA ID; proof of residence; matric results / latest academic record
- Acceptance letter; certified proof of household income; SARS/SASSA where applicable
- Additional documents for special cases (divorce, orphanhood, guardianship)
- Completed application form and checklist
Key dates
Closing: 16 January 2026 at 16:00. Hand‑deliver or submit as instructed in the notice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing items from the application checklist
- Applying for a field outside the official scarce skills list
- Supplying uncertified or outdated documents
- Submitting after the deadline
How to apply (step-by-step)
- Read the official notice and download the application form (PDF)
- Gather and certify all required documents (see checklist)
- Complete the form in clear block letters; mark boxes with an “X”
- Hand‑deliver to the Office of the Premier / Thusong Centres (addresses in form)
- Keep copies and proof of submission