The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has opened applications for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The programme supports eligible South African students who want to become teachers in identified priority teaching areas. Funding is mainly available for approved Bachelor of Education (BEd) programmes, and successful bursars must teach at a public school for one year for every year of bursary funding received.
Applications for 2027 opened on 1 October 2026. New applicants have until 31 January 2027, while existing or returning Funza Lushaka bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026.
At a glance
Sponsor/manager: Department of Basic Education (DBE)
Financial administrator: National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Opportunity type: Teaching bursary
Academic year funded: 2027
Who it’s for: South African citizens studying towards approved initial teacher-education qualifications in priority areas
Main qualification funded: Bachelor of Education (BEd)
First-time applicant age: Generally 30 years or younger, subject to the specific 2027 age rule
Applications opened: 1 October 2026
Closing date for new applications: 31 January 2027
Closing date for returning/existing bursars: 30 November 2026
Application method: Online through the government e-Services portal
Last verified: 2 October 2026.
High-value notes (read this first)
- PGCE programmes will not be funded in 2027.
- Honours, Master’s, Doctoral programmes and additional qualifications are not funded.
- Applicants must first be accepted or provisionally accepted at a suitable public university and have a valid student number before applying.
- For Intermediate, Senior and FET phases, applicants generally need to specialise in at least two priority teaching areas.
- First-time applicants must meet the programme’s age requirement.
- The bursary covers most essential study costs, but it is capped. If the university’s costs exceed the bursary cap, the student may need to pay the difference.
- Funding is not automatic simply because minimum requirements are met; bursaries are limited and selection is competitive.
- Successful bursars have a service obligation after qualifying.
- Applicants should use the 2027 Application Notes, because some older/general Funza Lushaka information online still refers to PGCE funding, whereas the current 2027 rules explicitly exclude it.
About the Funza Lushaka Bursary
Funza Lushaka is a national teacher-development programme funded by government and managed by the Department of Basic Education.
NSFAS administers the bursary funds on behalf of DBE through participating higher education institutions.
The purpose of the programme is to increase the supply of qualified teachers in areas where South African public schools have identified shortages.
What the bursary covers
The official 2027 application notes state that Funza Lushaka covers most of a bursary recipient’s essential expenses, which may include:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation, including meals
- Books and learning materials
- Teaching-practice costs
- A small monthly living allowance, where possible
There is no single national rand value for every recipient. Universities have different fee structures, and the bursary is capped at a specified value.
If a student’s approved costs exceed the bursary cap, the student is responsible for the shortfall. If the actual cost is below the cap, Funza Lushaka pays the eligible cost rather than automatically paying the maximum bursary value.
Qualifications funded in 2027
The primary qualification supported is the:
Four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd)
Approved phases include:
- Foundation Phase – Grades R–3
- Intermediate Phase – Grades 4–6
- Senior and Further Education and Training – Grades 7–12
The 2027 notes also refer to a special Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Care and Education (B-ECCE) initiative involving eligible third-year University of Pretoria students who form part of the DBE project.
PGCE is not funded in 2027
This is particularly important for applicants.
The official 2027 Funza Lushaka Bursary Application Notes explicitly state that the one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will not be funded in 2027.
The bursary also does not fund:
- Higher Certificates in Education
- Honours degrees
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees
- Additional or extended qualifications.
Eligibility
Applicants must generally:
- Be South African citizens with a valid South African ID
- Meet the applicable age requirement
- Demonstrate good academic ability
- Be accepted or provisionally accepted into an approved BEd programme at a public higher education institution
- Meet the university’s admission requirements
- Meet Funza Lushaka’s academic requirements
- Select teaching specialisations that correspond with current priority areas
- Demonstrate a genuine commitment to becoming a teacher
- Be willing to fulfil the post-study service obligation.
Age requirement
The Funza Lushaka portal states that first-time applicants must be 30 years or younger.
The detailed 2027 notes further indicate that an applicant who is already 31 before 31 March 2027 will not qualify.
Applicants close to the age limit should therefore check their eligibility carefully against the 2027 rules.
Academic requirements for new university entrants
First-time university entrants must have:
- A Grade 12/Matric result that permits admission to Bachelor’s degree studies
- At least Level 4 / 50% in the two subjects they intend to specialise in teaching, subject to the phase-specific requirements below.
Foundation Phase
Applicants need:
- Mathematics: at least Level 3 / 40%, OR
- Mathematical Literacy: at least Level 4 / 50%
- Home Language: at least Level 4 / 50%.
Intermediate Phase
Applicants need:
- Mathematics: at least Level 3 / 40%, OR
- Mathematical Literacy: at least Level 5 / 60%
- Home Language: at least Level 4 / 50%
Applicants must also meet the appropriate priority-subject combinations for their teaching specialisation.
Senior/FET Phase
Applicants need:
- At least Level 4 / 50% in two priority subject areas
Applicants who intend teaching technical subjects, including Computer Applications Technology, but did not take the relevant technical subject at school must have at least Level 4 in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics.
If a university has higher admission requirements than Funza Lushaka’s minimum requirements, the higher requirement applies.
Priority teaching areas
Funza Lushaka funding is targeted at teaching subjects where DBE and provincial education departments identify shortages.
The programme currently places strong emphasis on areas such as:
- South African Indigenous Languages
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences and Technology
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences and Agricultural Technology
- Information Technology
- Computer Applications Technology
- Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Technical Mathematics and Technical Sciences
- South African Sign Language
- Braille
- Neurodevelopmental Needs
Priority subjects and combinations can change according to teacher-demand data, so applicants should use the current 2027 application system and DBE requirements when choosing specialisations.
Subjects currently excluded
The 2027 application notes state that Funza Lushaka does not currently fund aspiring teachers specialising in several subjects identified as having an oversupply of unemployed teachers, including:
- History
- Geography
- Accounting
- Economics
- Business Studies
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Life Orientation
- Physical Education
The programme also excludes low-uptake subjects including:
- Religious Studies
- Music
- Dance
- Art
Combinations consisting of two languages will also not be funded.
Language priorities
The 2027 notes indicate that funding will predominantly favour South African Indigenous Languages.
Afrikaans is particularly supported in selected provinces:
- Western Cape
- Northern Cape
- Free State
- Eastern Cape
A smaller proportion of prospective English teachers may also receive funding.
Requirements for returning bursars
Existing Funza Lushaka students must reapply every year.
For 2027 re-awards, the official criteria include:
- Passing the required modules from the previous academic year
- At least a 55% average across all modules
- At least a 66.5% average in modules directly related to the priority teaching specialisation
- Progression to the next academic level/year
A bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time and is not automatically renewed.
Returning bursars must submit their 2027 reapplication by:
30 November 2026.
Service obligation
Funza Lushaka is not an ordinary no-obligation bursary.
Recipients must teach for:
One year for every year of bursary funding received.
The 2027 rules also require graduates to actively apply for teaching positions at public schools after qualifying and retain evidence of their applications.
The current 2027 notes warn that graduates should not assume preferential placement by a provincial education department.
Repayment of the bursary
The bursary may have to be repaid if a recipient fails to comply with the bursary conditions.
For example, changing an approved priority teaching specialisation without authorisation can result in the bursary being revoked.
Where repayment becomes due, the full bursary amount may be recoverable, with interest determined according to NSFAS rules.
Important screening requirements
The 2027 application notes advise applicants to check their status with:
- South African Police Service for criminal-record information
- Department of Justice and Correctional Services regarding the National Register for Sex Offenders
- Department of Social Development regarding the relevant child-protection register
The 2027 rules contain specific eligibility restrictions where applicable offences are recorded, so applicants affected by these provisions should read the official Application Notes carefully before applying.
Documents to prepare
Funza Lushaka states that applicants must first have a valid university student number and be accepted or provisionally accepted at their chosen university before applying.
Applicants should prepare their university admission information and any supporting documents required by their institution’s Funza Lushaka office.
The application itself is completed online, while supporting documentation is submitted according to the relevant university’s Funza Lushaka procedures.
Closing dates
Applications opened:
1 October 2026
New applicants close:
31 January 2027
Existing / returning bursars close:
30 November 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a PGCE and assuming it will be funded in 2027
- Applying before obtaining a valid university student number and admission or provisional admission
- Choosing subjects that are not current priority teaching areas
- Choosing two language specialisations
- Applying for an excluded or additional qualification
- Entering the wrong academic year or teaching specialisation
- Assuming meeting the minimum academic criteria guarantees a bursary
- Failing to submit supporting documents to the university’s Funza Lushaka office
- Returning bursars assuming funding renews automatically
- Changing universities after submitting without updating the application while the portal is still open
- Missing the applicable closing date.
How this opportunity was verified
The 2027 bursary was verified directly from the official Funza Lushaka Bursary portal and the official Funza Lushaka Bursary Application Notes for 2027.
The official portal confirms that applications opened on 1 October 2026, new applications close on 31 January 2027, and returning bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026.
The dedicated 2027 application document confirms the current qualification rules, academic criteria, funding coverage, service obligation and the important fact that PGCE study will not be funded in 2027.
How to apply
- Apply to an eligible public university for an approved BEd programme.
- Obtain a valid university student number and acceptance or provisional acceptance.
- Go to the South African Government e-Services portal.
- Register an e-Services account if you do not already have one.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme from the e-Services menu.
- Enter the OTP sent to your preferred contact channel.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Select the 2027 application from the dashboard.
- Complete all required information accurately.
- Select the correct priority teaching subjects.
- Accept the declaration and submit the application.
- Submit any required supporting documents to your university’s Funza Lushaka office.
- Keep proof of application. Funza Lushaka