The Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) Bursary 2027 is open for applicants linked to one of OMET’s participating unions. This partial bursary supports first-time undergraduate study at public universities in South Africa and is aimed at union members, union staff, spouses and child dependants who meet the Trust’s criteria.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET)
Opportunity type: Partial undergraduate bursary / scholarship
Who it’s for: Paid-up members, staff, spouses or child dependants of participating unions
Study level: First undergraduate diploma or bachelor’s degree
Institution type: Public universities in South Africa
Opening date: 1 July 2026
Closing date: 31 August 2026
Last verified: 2 July 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
This bursary is only for applicants linked to one of the participating unions. Applicants who are not a paid-up union member, union staff member, spouse or qualifying dependant should not apply unless they clearly meet OMET’s union-linked eligibility rules.
OMET funds first undergraduate qualifications only. It does not fund second degrees, one-year courses, short courses or postgraduate study.
About the sponsor
The Old Mutual Education Trust is a partial bursary programme established as part of Old Mutual’s B-BBEE transaction with ten trade unions. It supports higher education access and provides academic and personal support to selected students.
What it covers
The OMET bursary provides R77,000 per student, per academic year as partial funding. The support package also includes a dedicated Student Support Practitioner, a laptop, mental health and counselling support, academic support, tutoring/webinars, vacation-work opportunities for final-year students and possible internship support for unemployed graduates.
Eligibility
- Must be a paid-up member of one of the participating unions, a full-time and permanent employee of one of the participating unions, or the legal spouse or child dependant of a member or employee
- Must intend to study at a public university in South Africa
- Must be pursuing a first undergraduate diploma or bachelor’s degree
- Child dependants must generally be under 25 and meet OMET’s dependant rules
- Preference is given to Grade 12 / Matric applicants
- Must submit clear, official academic documents and identity documents
Documents to prepare
- SA ID or passport of the union member or employee
- SA ID or passport of the dependant, if applicable
- Union membership number or employee number of the main member/employee
- Grade 12 learners: June matric report and Grade 11 year-end report
- Post-matriculants not studying: official matric certificate
- Current university students: mid-year and year-end academic transcripts from the previous academic year, or matric results if currently in first year
- Dependency proof if requested, such as unabridged birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of financial support or relevant legal/medical documents
Closing date
31 August 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without being linked to one of the participating unions
- Applying for postgraduate study, a second degree, a short course or a one-year course
- Uploading blurry, cropped or unofficial academic documents
- Leaving out union membership or employee details
- Waiting until the final week of August to gather dependency documents
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against Old Mutual’s official OMET page and a current UWC bursary notice confirming the 2027 opportunity, 1 July 2026 opening date and 31 August 2026 closing date.
How to apply
- Open the Old Mutual Education Trust page.
- Confirm that you are linked to one of the participating unions.
- Prepare the required identity, union, dependency and academic documents.
- Complete the online OMET application process via the Old Mutual page.
- Submit before the closing date.