- WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE NHFC BURSARY COVER?
- WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
- WHAT DOES THE NHFC BURSARY COVER?
- WHAT IS THE SELECTION AND RENEWAL PROCESS OF THE NHFC BURSARY?
- HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
- WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
- WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
- HOW CAN I CONTACT THE NHFC ABOUT THE BURSARY?
- WHAT DOES THE NHFC DO?
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NHFC BURSARY
The National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) Bursary provides financial assistance to South African students pursuing tertiary studies related to housing, finance, property, human settlements and the built environment. The bursary programme is aimed at developing skills and expertise that can contribute to the housing finance sector and broader built environment.
The bursary is available to students who have progressed beyond their first year of undergraduate study, as well as students pursuing postgraduate qualifications. Applicants must meet the academic, citizenship and financial-need requirements before applying.
WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE NHFC BURSARY COVER?
The NHFC Bursary supports undergraduate and postgraduate studies in fields that are relevant to housing finance, human settlements, property, construction and related areas.
- Built Environment
- Construction Economics
- Developmental Studies
- Economic Development
- Energy Efficiency
- Finance
- Housing
- Housing Construction
- Human Settlements
- Property Markets
- Real Estate
- Risk Management
These fields reflect the NHFC’s focus on developing skills that support the affordable housing finance sector and related areas of the built environment.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements before submitting their NHFC Bursary application. The bursary is primarily aimed at financially disadvantaged students who have already progressed into tertiary study.
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have completed Matric.
- You must come from a financially disadvantaged background.
- You must be studying towards an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in one of the approved fields of study.
- Undergraduate applicants must have completed their first year and be entering their second year or higher.
- You must be studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa.
- You must have a strong academic record.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee that you will receive funding. Applications are subject to the NHFC’s selection process, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
WHAT DOES THE NHFC BURSARY COVER?
The NHFC Bursary provides financial assistance towards the costs associated with tertiary study. The minimum areas of support include:
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed books
- Other study materials
Student accommodation and other expenses may also be covered at the discretion of the NHFC. Applicants should therefore not assume that every additional study or living expense will automatically be funded.
The exact value of the bursary is not publicly stated in the current information available for the 2027 intake.
WHAT IS THE SELECTION AND RENEWAL PROCESS OF THE NHFC BURSARY?
The NHFC Bursary is renewable annually, provided that the bursary recipient maintains satisfactory academic performance.
Applicants should therefore understand that receiving funding for one year does not necessarily mean that funding will continue regardless of academic performance. Continued support is dependent on meeting the conditions set by the NHFC.
The NHFC will contact shortlisted candidates. If you do not receive feedback after the selection process, you should regard your application as unsuccessful.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
Applicants must complete the prescribed NHFC Bursary Application Form and submit it together with the required supporting documents.
Follow these steps when applying:
- Download the NHFC Bursary Application Form 2027 (PDF).
- Complete the application form accurately and provide all requested information.
- Prepare clear certified copies of the required supporting documents.
- Attach the completed application form and supporting documents to your email.
- Email your completed application to bursary@nhfc.co.za.
- Use NHFC Bursary Application 2027 as the email subject line.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
Applicants should check that all required documents are attached before sending their application, as missing supporting documents may result in the application not being considered.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
Applicants must submit supporting documents together with their completed application form. The required documents include:
- Certified copy of your South African ID document.
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate.
- Certified full tertiary academic record, including your most recent results, on university letterhead.
- Proof of university admission, where applicable.
- Certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ ID documents.
- Proof of household income.
- Latest payslips if your parents or guardians are employed.
- An affidavit if your parents or guardians are unemployed.
- Certified copies of ID documents or birth certificates for other people living in your household.
Make sure that copies requiring certification are properly certified before submitting your application. Incomplete applications may be disqualified.
WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
The closing date for the NHFC Bursary for the 2027 academic year is 30 September 2026.
Applications submitted after the closing date will not be accepted. Students are encouraged to submit their applications early rather than waiting until the final day, particularly because supporting documents must be prepared and attached to the application.
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE NHFC ABOUT THE BURSARY?
For enquiries relating to the NHFC Bursary, applicants can contact the NHFC Human Resources Division.
Email: bursary@nhfc.co.za
Applicants should use the bursary email address for bursary-related enquiries and application correspondence.
WHAT DOES THE NHFC DO?
The National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) is a South African development finance institution focused on expanding access to housing finance for low- and middle-income households.
The NHFC provides various housing finance solutions and works with organisations involved in the delivery of affordable housing. Its activities include social housing finance, private rental housing finance, affordable housing bridging finance, contractor bridging finance and incremental housing finance.
The organisation also administers the First Home Finance programme, which provides support to eligible first-time homebuyers.
Through its bursary programme, the NHFC also contributes to skills development by supporting students whose studies are relevant to the housing finance and built environment sectors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NHFC BURSARY
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE NHFC BURSARY?
South African citizens who have completed Matric, come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, have a strong academic record and are studying an approved undergraduate or postgraduate qualification at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution can apply. Undergraduate applicants must have completed their first year and be entering their second year or higher.
DOES THE NHFC BURSARY FUND FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS?
No. The bursary is aimed at undergraduate students from second year onwards, as well as postgraduate students. Applicants entering their first year of undergraduate study are therefore not the primary target of this bursary programme.
DOES THE NHFC BURSARY COVER ACCOMMODATION?
Student accommodation may be covered at the discretion of the NHFC. Accommodation should therefore not be assumed to be automatically included for every recipient.
IS THE NHFC BURSARY RENEWABLE?
Yes. The bursary may be renewed annually, subject to the recipient maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
WHAT IS THE NHFC BURSARY CLOSING DATE?
The closing date for the 2027 NHFC Bursary is 30 September 2026.
WHERE DO I SEND MY NHFC BURSARY APPLICATION?
Completed NHFC Bursary applications and supporting documents must be submitted by email to bursary@nhfc.co.za. The recommended email subject line is NHFC Bursary Application 2027.
See related Construction Bursaries and Scholarships available in South Africa.
