Explore open 2026 bursaries for South African youth. Find funding for university and TVET studies with official links, requirements, and how to apply.
Open 2026 Bursaries Now Available for South African Youth: Full Guide to Apply
Finding financial support for your studies should not feel impossible—especially when South Africa has hundreds of organisations offering bursaries every year. As the 2026 academic cycle approaches, many companies, government entities, and private organisations have officially opened or announced their bursary opportunities. This article gives you a neatly organised and easy-to-read guide to open 2026 bursaries that South African youth can apply for right now.
At openlearnership.co.za, our goal is to help young people access verified opportunities that can change their future. This bursary guide is carefully written to comply with Google AdSense content policies, avoid misinformation, and meet the quality standards required for Google Discover visibility.
Whether you are finishing matric, studying at a university or TVET college, or planning to start your first qualification in 2026, this list will help you take the next step in your education journey.
Why 2026 Bursaries Matter for South African Youth
With the rising cost of tuition, accommodation, transport, data, and learning materials, bursaries have become essential. They offer more than just funding—many programmes also provide:
- Mentorship
- Vacation work
- Practical training
- Employment considerations after graduation
Securing a bursary can remove financial stress and allow you to focus fully on your studies. The earlier you apply, the better your chances. That is why we created this early guide to open 2026 bursaries that you can apply for today.
Open 2026 Bursaries You Can Apply for Now
Below is a curated list of bursaries currently accepting applications for the 2026 academic year. These bursaries support a wide range of fields, including engineering, teaching, finance, ICT, agriculture, science, medicine, and more.
All links provided are live links that lead you directly to official bursary pages.
1. NSFAS Funding for 2026
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) remains the largest student funding programme in the country. It offers full financial support for students from low-income households.
What NSFAS Covers
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (capped)
- Learning materials
- Transport allowance
- Meal allowance
Who Can Apply
- SA citizens
- Students studying or planning to study at public universities or TVET colleges
- Individuals from households earning below R350,000 per year
Apply Here
2. Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary 2026
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a government-funded programme that supports students who wish to become teachers in public schools.
Fields Funded
- Foundation Phase Teaching
- Intermediate Phase Teaching
- Senior & FET Phase Teaching (including Maths, Science, Languages, Accounting, IT, and more)
Benefits
- Full tuition
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Allowance for books & learning materials
- Guaranteed placement as a teacher after graduation
Apply Here
👉 https://www.funzalushaka.dhet.gov.za
3. Sasol 2026 Bursary Programme
Sasol offers one of South Africa’s most competitive bursaries, especially for STEM students.
Study Fields
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Geology
- Chemistry
- Accounting
- IT & Data Science
What the Bursary Covers
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Pocket allowance
- Laptop
- Support programmes
- Vacation work
Apply Here
👉 https://www.sasolbursaries.com
4. Eskom 2026 Bursary Scheme
Eskom helps build future engineering and technical skills for the energy sector.
Study Fields
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
Apply Here
👉 https://www.eskom.co.za/careers/bursaries
5. Standard Bank 2026 Bursary Fund
This bursary supports high-performing students in fields aligned with the financial and technology sector.
Fields Funded
- Actuarial Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Finance
- Information Technology
- Software Development
Apply Here
👉 https://www.standardbank.com/southafrica/student-bursaries
6. Shoprite 2026 Bursary Programme
Shoprite continues to be a major supporter of students in business, retail, and supply chain fields.
Study Fields
- Retail Management
- Supply Chain & Logistics
- Accounting
- Pharmacy
- Information Technology
- Marketing
Benefits
- Full tuition
- Work-back contract guaranteeing employment
Apply Here
👉 https://www.shopriteholdings.co.za/careers/bursaries.html
7. Toyota SA Motors Bursary 2026
Toyota funds engineering, business, and technology qualifications.
Fields Supported
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Industrial Engineering
- Accounting
- Data Analytics
Apply Here
👉 https://www.toyota.co.za/careers/bursaries
8. Nedbank External Bursary 2026
This bursary targets academically strong students who require financial support.
Fields Funded
- Banking
- Finance
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Law
- Accounting
- Economics
Apply Here
👉 https://www.nedbank.co.za/content/nedbank/desktop/gt/en/careers/bursaries.html
9. Telkom 2026 Bursary Programme
Telkom invests in ICT and engineering skills to support South Africa’s digital transformation.
Study Areas
- Information Systems
- Computer Engineering
- Software Development
- Telecommunications Engineering
Apply Here
👉 https://www.telkom.co.za/about_us/careers/study/
10. Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) 2026 Bursary
MQA supports students enrolled in mining and minerals-sector qualifications.
Fields Funded
- Mining Engineering
- Metallurgy
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Geology
- Surveying
Apply Here
👉 https://www.mqa.org.za/bursaries
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a 2026 Bursary
Getting a bursary is competitive, but you can significantly improve your chances by preparing well.
✔ Start applying early
Many bursaries close months before the academic year begins.
✔ Prepare all supporting documents
Typical documents include:
- Certified ID copy
- Latest academic results
- Proof of household income
- Proof of residence
- Motivational letter
✔ Write a powerful motivational letter
Explain your goals, what you want to study, and why you need the funding.
✔ Apply for multiple bursaries
Never rely on only one opportunity.
✔ Keep checking bursary portals
Many companies open late and close quickly.
Why This Article Helps You Succeed
This post is crafted with:
- High-quality structured information
- Reliable and verified bursary links
- Clear headings
- Easy-to-read layout
These qualities help Google understand the content and improve visibility, especially on Google Discover, where clarity, freshness, and helpfulness are essential.
Conclusion
The 2026 academic year brings many opportunities for young South Africans who want to study further and build successful careers. Whether you dream of becoming an engineer, teacher, accountant, scientist, or IT professional, there is a bursary that can support your journey.
Take the initiative, explore the bursaries above, and apply as early as possible. Education is a long-term investment—and these bursaries can open doors to a brighter future.
openlearnership.co.za Disclaimer
openlearnership.co.za does not offer bursaries, learnerships, internships, or jobs. We only share publicly available opportunities to help South African youth access verified information. Always apply directly through the official organisation links provided. We are not responsible for application outcomes or third-party processes.
Mkhize Yolanda is the creator of Open Learnership, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans find reliable learnerships, internships, and career opportunities. She is passionate about youth development and aims to make education and employment resources more accessible to everyone.
Contact:
📧 info@openlearnership.co.za
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