Updated 2026-11-15
The Funza Lushaka Bursary supports selected students studying to become teachers in priority areas. For the 2027 academic year, new applications open on 1 October 2026 and close on 31 January 2027. Existing or returning bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026. Apply online only through e-Services or the Funza Lushaka portal.
A Funza Lushaka bursary is not automatic: you must meet the criteria, be accepted or provisionally accepted by a university, and compete for limited awards.
The current 2027 application notes say a first-time applicant must be a South African citizen with a valid South African ID, be below 30, show good academic ability, and be accepted or provisionally accepted into an approved BEd programme. You cannot apply if you already hold a teaching qualification.
| Applicant or study route | 2027 requirement |
|---|---|
| First-time university entrant | A Grade 12 bachelor's pass and at least Level 4, or 50% and above, in the two subjects you plan to teach. |
| Foundation Phase BEd | A bachelor's pass, Mathematics at Level 3, or 40% and above, or Mathematical Literacy at Level 4, or 50% and above, plus Home Language at Level 4 or above. |
| Intermediate Phase BEd | A bachelor's pass, Mathematics at Level 3 or above, or Mathematical Literacy at Level 5, or 60% and above, plus Home Language at Level 4 or above. |
| Senior/FET BEd | A bachelor's pass and Level 4, or 50% and above, in two priority subject areas. For technical subjects, an applicant without that school subject needs at least Level 4 in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics. |
| Returning university applicant | Pass all modules in the previous year, achieve at least a 55% average across all modules and at least a 66.5% average in modules directly related to the priority teaching specialisation. You must also progress to the next year level. |
For Intermediate, Senior and FET study, your BEd must specialise in at least two priority subject areas. The 2027 notes say the programme will not fund PGCE, Higher Certificate in Education, honours, master's or doctoral programmes, extended programmes, or an additional degree or qualification. Check the 2027 application notes and confirm your specialisation with your university's Funza Lushaka office before applying.
The current notes also exclude several subjects from funding, including History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, EMS, Life Orientation, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Music, Dance and Art. They say two-language combinations will not be funded. Priority choices can change, so use the current official notice rather than an older list.
Before applying, the 2027 notes advise applicants to check police clearance records, the National Register for Sexual Offenders and the National Register for Child Offenders. An applicant with a relevant matter less than 10 years old is not eligible to study teaching or apply for this bursary.
First secure a valid student number and acceptance or provisional acceptance from your university. The Department says applications made without online submission will not be considered. You must submit supporting documents to your university's Funza Lushaka office, so ask that office which documents it requires.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open e-Services and register with your personal information. |
| 2 | Log in with the username and password you created. |
| 3 | Choose “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme” from the e-Services menu. |
| 4 | Enter the one-time password sent through your chosen channel and accept the terms and conditions. |
| 5 | On the dashboard, choose the 2027 application, complete every required field and select the priority subjects you will actually specialise in. |
| 6 | Accept the declaration to confirm that the captured information is correct. |
| 7 | Before the closing date, provide the supporting documents required by your university's Funza Lushaka office. You can update personal details or amend the application while the system remains open. |
Do not wait for the deadline. New 2027 applications close on 31 January 2027, while returning bursars close on 30 November 2026.
Use an email address and cellphone number that you can keep for the duration of your studies if you are awarded the bursary. The Department's listed support contacts are inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za and 012 357 3000.
The 2027 notes list tuition, accommodation including meals, books and learning materials, teaching practice and, if possible, a small monthly living allowance. The bursary has a cap. If your university's fees exceed the capped value, you must top up the difference yourself. The value can differ by university.
A bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time, not automatically for the rest of the degree. Returning students must reapply and meet the academic conditions. Funding beyond a fourth year is not automatic and depends on academic performance and available funds.
If awarded, read and keep a copy of your contract. You must teach for one year in a public school for every year funded. After qualifying, the 2027 notes require you to purposefully apply for a public-school teaching post for six months and provide evidence of applications. The Department says there is no preferential placement.
Failure to meet bursary conditions can trigger repayment of the full bursary amount received, with interest at the rate determined by NSFAS. This can include changing priority subjects without approval or not meeting service obligations.
Genuine public bursary applications are free. Never pay a person or agent to apply for a Funza Lushaka bursary or to promise an award.
Not as a first-time applicant under the 2027 rules. The official notes say first-time applicants must be below 30. A student who turns 31 before 31 March 2027 does not qualify.
No. The 2027 notes say you should apply only once you have a valid student number and have been accepted or provisionally accepted at your university of choice.
No. The 2027 application notes specifically say PGCE studies are not funded.
Normally it is a service-linked bursary, not a loan. You must teach one public-school year for every funded study year. The Department says repayment, plus interest, may be required if you do not comply with the contract conditions.
No. The 2027 notes say no hard-copy applications are accepted. Complete the online application, then follow your university's process for supporting documents.