The Funza Lushaka Bursary is one of the largest government funded education bursaries in South Africa.
The programme supports students who want to become qualified teachers in public schools.
Funding is provided to help students complete recognised teaching qualifications at South African universities.
The bursary is managed by the Department of Basic Education in partnership with higher education institutions.
The goal of the programme is to increase the number of qualified teachers in priority subjects and phases.
Students who receive the bursary are expected to teach in public schools after completing their qualification.
Applications are submitted online through the official government e services portal.
Who qualifies for the Funza Lushaka bursary?
The bursary is open to South African citizens who want to study teaching.
Applicants must be academically capable and meet university admission requirements.
First time applicants are normally required to be younger than 30 years old.
Students must also be accepted into an approved teaching qualification at a recognised university.
Eligible applicants may include the following groups.
- Grade 12 learners who plan to study teaching.
- University students already studying education.
- Graduates who want to complete a teaching qualification such as a PGCE.
- Individuals under 30 who want to change careers and become teachers.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee funding.
Selection is competitive and depends on available bursary allocations.
Which teaching qualifications does the bursary support?
The bursary supports recognised teaching qualifications offered by South African universities.
The most common qualifications funded by the programme include the following.
- Four year Bachelor of Education degree.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education for graduates who already hold a bachelor degree.
These qualifications allow students to specialise in specific teaching phases.
Common teaching phases include the following.
- Foundation Phase which covers Grades R to 3.
- Intermediate Phase which covers Grades 4 to 6.
- Senior Phase and Further Education and Training which covers Grades 7 to 12.
Students usually need to specialise in priority subjects identified by the education department.
What does the Funza Lushaka bursary cover?
The Funza Lushaka bursary covers several essential study costs.
The funding is designed to allow students to focus on their studies without financial stress.
Typical bursary benefits include the following.
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation including meals.
- Prescribed textbooks.
- Learning materials.
- A small allowance for living expenses.
Funding continues for the full duration of the approved teaching qualification if the student maintains academic progress.
Students must reapply each year and continue meeting programme requirements.
How do you apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary?
Applications must be completed online through the official government portal. Paper applications are not accepted.
Students must first register on the government e services platform.
The application process usually follows these steps.
- Visit the eservices portal.
- Register a new account using your personal details.
- Log in using your username and password.
- Select the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme option.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Applicants must also ensure that they have applied for admission at a university before submitting the bursary application.
What documents are required for the Funza Lushaka application?
Applicants must submit supporting documents during the application process.
These documents allow universities and the education department to verify the applicant’s eligibility.
The most common required documents include the following.
- Certified copy of a South African identity document.
- Matric certificate or Grade 12 results.
- Latest academic transcript for current university students.
- Proof of university admission where applicable.
Students should ensure that documents are clear and correctly certified.
Incorrect or missing documents may delay the evaluation process.
When do Funza Lushaka applications open?
The bursary usually opens applications toward the end of each year.
Recent application cycles opened in October and closed early the following year.
Applications for the 2026 academic year opened in October 2025 and closed in January 2026.
Students who want to apply for the 2027 academic year should monitor the official portals for announcements.
