Government Bursaries Available Every Year

Securing funding for the period of your tertiary education can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're not sure of where to look.

Aside from applying to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), students can also apply to certain government departments that have bursaries on offer within its field. 

Departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Basic Education, Home Affairs, Health, Labour, Public Works and more, offer bursaries to deserving and qualifying students.

Students who meet the following criteria are generally eligible to apply for a bursary from the South African government:

1. Must be a South African citizen
2. Must currently be in matric and have good academic results so far, OR you must have already completed matric with good results
3. Must be studying or have been accepted to study in specific fields
4. Must be residing in a particular area, depending on the bursary 

Please note that although a student may meet all of the above stipulated requirements, there may be additional criteria that is included within the specific bursary being applied for. 

The fields of study that are covered financially differ between each Department as well as each bursary listing. 

Here is a few bursaries on offer by the South African government, based on specific provinces:

Eastern Cape:

Some of the bursaries offered for residents of the Eastern Cape include: 

1. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary 
2. Eastern Cape Department of Health 
3. Eastern Cape Department of Transport Bursary 
4. Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Bursary 

Free State: 

If you are a resident of the Free State province, here are bursaries you can apply for:

1. FASSET Bursary 
2. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary 

Gauteng: 

If you live in Gauteng, here are the bursary options available:

1. City of Johannesburg Bursary 
2. Gauteng Department of Health Bursary 
3. Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development Bursary 
4. Johannesburg Water Bursary 
5. FASSET Bursary 

KwaZulu-Natal:

If you are a resident of KwaZulu-Natal, here are bursaries to consider:

1. KZN Provincial Treasury Bursary 
2. FASSET Bursary 
3. Newcastle Municipality Bursary
4. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary 
5. Compensation Fund Bursary 

Limpopo:

Here are a few bursaries you can apply for if you live in the province of Limpopo:

1. Blouberg Municipality Bursary
2. Polokwane Municipality Bursary
3. Capricorn District Municipality Bursary
4. FASSET Bursary
5. Mopani District Municipality Bursary 

Mpumalanga:

If you are a resident of the Mpumalanga province, here are some bursaries you could apply for:

1. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary 
2. Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary 
3. Mpumalanga Department of Health Bursary 
4. FASSET Bursary 

Northern Cape:

Here are a few bursaries for residents in the Northern Cape:

1. Northern Cape Provincial Government Bursary 
2. FASSET Bursary 
3. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary 
4. Joe Morolong Assmang Bursary 
5. Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison Bursary

North West:

1. FASSET Bursary 
2. North West Department of Health Bursary 
3. North West Provincial Government Bursary
4. Ratlou Local Municipality Bursary 
5. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary 

Western Cape: 

Here are bursaries for those residing in the Western Cape:

1. Prince Albert Municipality Bursary 
2. Garden Route District Municipality Bursary 
3. Mossel Bay Municipality Bursary
4. City of Cape Town Bursary 
5. Saldanha Bay Municipality Bursary