Teaching remains one of the most funded career paths in South Africa due to a national shortage of qualified educators.
Government and private bursaries are designed to support students who want to study teaching and work in public schools.
The 2027 intake will continue to be led by major programmes like Funza Lushaka and NSFAS, alongside smaller education-focused funding options.
Teaching Bursaries available in South Africa for 2027
The following are the main education bursaries you should apply for.
- Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
- National Student Financial Aid Scheme
- Provincial Department of Education bursaries
- University-specific teaching bursaries
- Private education foundation bursaries
Funza Lushaka is the most important teaching bursary in South Africa and is specifically designed for future teachers.
NSFAS also funds teaching degrees for students from low-income households.
What is the Funza Lushaka bursary and how does it work
Funza Lushaka is a government-funded bursary managed by the Department of Basic Education.
It funds students who want to study teaching at public universities.
It covers:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation or transport
- Meals
- Learning materials
- Living allowance
Students must teach at a public school after graduating for the same number of years they received funding.
This is a work-back agreement instead of loan repayment.
Who qualifies for teaching bursaries in South Africa
Most education bursaries have similar requirements.
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have passed Matric or be in Matric
- You must meet university admission requirements
- You must show strong academic performance
- You must be interested in teaching as a career
Funza Lushaka also prefers students who want to teach priority subjects like Mathematics, Science, and languages.
Applicants are usually required to be under the age of 30 for this bursary.
What teaching courses are funded by bursaries
Education bursaries cover specific teaching qualifications.
- Bachelor of Education degree
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Foundation Phase teaching
- Intermediate Phase teaching
- Senior Phase teaching
- Further Education and Training phase
These programmes are offered at all public universities in South Africa.
The focus is on subjects where teacher shortages exist.
When do education bursary applications open for 2027
Application timelines follow a yearly cycle. Funza Lushaka usually opens around October each year
Applications for 2026 opened on 7 October 2025. New applications closed around January 2026
This means 2027 applications are expected to open around October 2026.
NSFAS applications usually open around September each year.
It is important to apply as early as possible.
How do you apply for a teaching bursary in South Africa
Follow these steps to apply.
- Choose a teaching qualification
- Apply to a public university
- Gather required documents
- Apply online through the bursary portal
- Track your application status
For Funza Lushaka, applications must be submitted online through the official government portal.
For NSFAS, applications are also completed online.
Each bursary has its own process, so always follow official instructions.
Documents required for teaching bursary applications
You will need the following documents.
- Certified copy of your ID
- Matric results or latest academic results
- Proof of university acceptance
- Proof of household income
- Completed application form
Some bursaries may also require a motivational letter.
Make sure all documents are certified and up to date.
Contact details for teaching bursaries in South Africa
Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
- Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za
- Phone: 012 357 3000
- Call Centre: 0800 202 933
National Student Financial Aid Scheme
- Website: Visit NSFAS Official Website
- Contact Centre: 08000 67327
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
These are the main official contacts for students seeking teaching bursary funding in South Africa.
