The Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme is an opportunity for eligible South African students who want to pursue a career in teaching. The programme provides financial assistance to qualifying students studying approved teaching qualifications at recognised higher education institutions.
Applications for the 2027 academic year require students to meet specific academic, citizenship and eligibility requirements. The bursary supports selected students pursuing a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or an eligible Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), subject to the programme’s funding rules.
The bursary covers most essential study expenses, including tuition, accommodation, meals, books and learning materials, as well as teaching practice costs. A small allowance for monthly living expenses may also be provided where possible.
Applicants should carefully review the requirements before applying because meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee that a bursary will be awarded.
Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027: Key Details
Bursary: Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme
Academic Year: 2027
Target Applicants: Eligible South African students pursuing teaching qualifications
Citizenship: South African citizens with a valid South African ID
Age Requirement: 30 years or younger
Funded Qualifications: Approved BEd degrees and eligible PGCE programmes
Application Method: Online
Official Application Portal: https://www.eservices.gov.za/
Bursary Information: https://www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/
Important: Confirm the official 2027 closing date on the application portal. The information supplied for this post does not specify a closing date.
Which Qualifications Does the Bursary Fund?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary supports two main qualification pathways.
1. Bachelor of Education (BEd)
The scheme can fund an approved four-year Bachelor of Education degree. Students may specialise in one of the following teaching phases:
- Foundation Phase: Grade R to Grade 3.
- Intermediate Phase: Grade 4 to Grade 6.
- Senior Phase and Further Education and Training: Grade 7 to Grade 12.
The qualification must include subjects that allow the student to specialise in at least two priority teaching subject areas.
2. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
The scheme may fund an eligible one-year PGCE for graduates who meet the subject requirements.
Only the PGCE for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching, covering Grades 7 to 12, is funded under the scheme.
Applicants must have studied two priority subjects at the required university levels: one at third-year level and another at second-year level. The subjects must provide sufficient academic credits to qualify the graduate to teach them at school.
Applicants who already have another teaching qualification do not qualify under the stated rules.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Be a South African citizen with a valid South African ID number.
- Be 30 years old or younger.
- Demonstrate good academic performance.
- Be accepted or provisionally accepted into an approved BEd or eligible PGCE programme.
- Be committed to a career in teaching.
- Be willing to teach at a public school assigned by a Provincial Education Department.
- Meet the academic requirements for the relevant qualification.
Applicants with a criminal record, those charged with misconduct or those dismissed from employment are not eligible under the supplied conditions.
The scheme also does not permit funding for employees of higher education institutions, their spouses or their dependants and children. Applicants must disclose the required information accurately.
Students receiving other government or state-funded assistance should carefully review the applicable eligibility conditions before applying.
Minimum Academic Requirements
First-Time University Applicants
Applicants entering university for the first time must have a National Senior Certificate with a bachelor-degree admission pass or equivalent.
They must also have at least Level 4 in the two subjects they intend to specialise in as teachers.
For Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase applicants, the stated requirements include:
- At least Level 2 in Mathematics or Level 4 in Mathematical Literacy.
- At least Level 4 in the Home Language.
Applicants intending to specialise in Technology subjects, including Computer Applications Technology (CAT), who did not take these subjects at matric level must have at least Level 4 in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics.
Where the university’s admission requirements are higher than the bursary’s minimum requirements, the higher requirements apply.
Students Already at University
New bursary applicants who are already studying at a higher education institution must meet the stated academic performance requirements:
- Pass all modules studied in the previous academic year.
- Achieve at least a 55% average across all modules studied in the previous year.
- Achieve at least a 66.5% average in modules directly related to the priority teaching subjects.
These are minimum requirements. Institutions may apply higher selection standards.
Applicants for the PGCE
Applicants must have completed a recognised qualification that qualifies them for admission to an eligible PGCE programme. They must also meet the required university-level subject criteria for two priority teaching subjects.
What Does the Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover?
The bursary covers most essential study expenses, subject to the programme’s funding limits. These may include:
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation, including meals.
- Books and learning materials.
- Teaching practice expenses.
- A small monthly living allowance, where possible.
Funding is capped at a specified amount. If a university’s costs exceed the funding limit, the student may have to pay the difference.
The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time and is not automatically renewed. Continued funding depends on academic performance, eligibility and the availability of funds.
Teaching Obligation After Graduation
Recipients must teach at a public school for the same number of years that they received bursary funding.
For example, a student who receives funding for four years will generally be required to teach for four years under the scheme’s conditions.
Failure to comply with the bursary contract may result in repayment obligations. Applicants should read and retain a copy of the contract before accepting an award.
How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027
Applications must be completed online. Hard-copy applications are not accepted.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official e-Government portal at https://www.eservices.gov.za/.
- Register by entering your personal information.
- Log in using the username and password you created.
- Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme from the e-Services menu.
- Enter the one-time PIN (OTP) sent through your selected channel.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Select the 2027 application option on the dashboard.
- Complete all required fields, including your personal and academic information.
- Select the correct priority teaching subjects in which you intend to specialise.
- Accept the declaration to confirm that the information provided is accurate.
You should apply only after receiving a valid student number and being accepted or provisionally accepted at your chosen university. Supporting documentation must also be submitted to the university’s Funza Lushaka office as instructed.
Changing institutions after submitting your bursary application may affect your eligibility for selection.
Final Thoughts
The Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027 can help eligible South African students pursue teaching qualifications while receiving financial assistance for essential study costs.
Before applying, check your academic results, confirm that your qualification is eligible and ensure that you understand the teaching obligation attached to the bursary. Funding is competitive, and submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
How to Apply
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