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Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme 2027

Application StatusOPEN for 2027
Closing Date31 January 2027 for new applicants; 30 November 2026 for returning bursars
ProviderDepartment of Basic Education (DBE)
ProgrammeFunza Lushaka Bursary Programme
Field of StudyInitial teacher education in identified priority subject areas
Study LevelUndergraduate
Institution ScopeApproved public higher education institutions in South Africa
CitizenshipSouth African citizens
FundingTuition, accommodation including meals, books and learning materials, teaching practice and, where possible, a small living allowance
Service ObligationOne year of teaching for every year funded
Academic Year2027

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY COVER?

The Funza Lushaka Bursary funds approved initial teacher education programmes in subject areas where teachers are needed. For 2027, the programme funds qualifying students studying towards approved Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programmes, including Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) teaching.

  • Foundation Phase (Grades R–3): South African Indigenous Languages, South African Sign Language (SASL), Neurodevelopmental Needs and Braille, with priority also given to Foundation Phase teaching.
  • Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6): South African Indigenous Languages, Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology, SASL, Neurodevelopmental Needs and Braille.
  • Senior Phase and FET (Grades 7–12): Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Technology, Civil Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Computer Applications Technology, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mechanical Technology, Physical Sciences, Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science, together with Indigenous South African Languages, SASL, Neurodevelopmental Needs and Braille.

For Intermediate, Senior and FET teaching, the qualification must allow the applicant to specialise in at least two priority subject areas. Priority areas are determined according to teacher-demand needs and can change as the education sector’s requirements change.

WHAT ARE THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY REQUIREMENTS?

The bursary has different academic criteria for first-time applicants and students applying for a re-award.

FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS

  • Be a South African citizen with a valid South African ID.
  • Be below 30 years of age. For the 2027 academic year, the applicant must turn 30 on or before 31 March 2027 to remain eligible under the published age rule.
  • Be accepted or provisionally accepted at an approved public higher education institution and have a valid student number before applying.
  • Be accepted into an approved B.Ed. programme.
  • For Intermediate, Senior and FET phases, specialise in at least two Funza Lushaka priority subject areas.
  • Have an exemption, endorsement or admission-to-bachelor’s-degree pass at Grade 12 level.
  • Demonstrate good academic ability and the qualities associated with a career in teaching, including an interest in working with young people, enthusiasm for teaching and personal integrity.
  • Meet the specific academic requirements for the teaching phase and subjects selected.

MINIMUM ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

  • First-time university entrants: at least 50% (Level 4) in the two subjects the applicant intends to specialise in for teaching.
  • Foundation Phase: Mathematics at Level 3 (40%) or Mathematical Literacy at Level 4 (50%), plus Home Language at Level 4 (50%).
  • Intermediate Phase: Mathematics at Level 3 (40%) or Mathematical Literacy at Level 5 (60%), plus Home Language at Level 4 (50%).
  • Senior/FET Phase: at least Level 4 (50%) in two priority subject areas.
  • Applicants who want to teach technical subjects, including CAT, but did not take the relevant subject at school must have at least Level 4 (50%) in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics.

RETURNING BURSARS

  • Pass all modules studied in the previous year that relate to Funza Lushaka priority subject areas.
  • 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 specialisation.
  • Progress to the next level of study and be eligible to register for a full load.
  • Meet any higher minimum requirements applied by the university.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a bursary. The number of bursaries is limited and selection is competitive.

WHAT DOES THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY COVER?

  • Tuition fees
  • Accommodation, including meals
  • Books and learning materials
  • Teaching practice expenses
  • A small monthly living allowance where funding permits and depending on the university’s cost structure

The bursary is subject to a funding cap and the total value differs between institutions because universities have different cost structures. Where approved university costs exceed the applicable bursary allocation, the student may have to pay the difference.

Service obligation: Funza Lushaka bursars must teach for one year for every year for which they received the bursary. After qualifying, graduates are required to purposefully apply for teaching posts at public schools and provide evidence of their applications. There is no preferential placement at a particular school or by a Provincial Education Department.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY?

Applications are completed online through the Funza Lushaka Bursary Application 2027 official page.

  1. Apply for admission to an approved public higher education institution and an eligible teaching qualification.
  2. Obtain a valid student number and acceptance or provisional acceptance.
  3. Open the South African Government e-Services portal.
  4. Register or log in to your e-Services account.
  5. Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme from the e-Services menu.
  6. Enter the OTP sent to your preferred contact channel.
  7. Accept the terms and conditions.
  8. Select the 2027 application from the dashboard.
  9. Complete the application accurately, including your correct priority subject specialisations.
  10. Accept the declaration and submit the application.
  11. Submit the required supporting documentation to the Funza Lushaka office at your university.

First-time applicants recruited through the district-based process must complete the prescribed teacher screening process before submitting the online bursary application. The screening process does not replace the official bursary application.

No hard-copy applications are accepted, and applications submitted after the closing date are not considered.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY?

The 2027 official application notes do not publish one universal applicant document checklist. They require students to apply online and submit supporting documentation to the Funza Lushaka office at their university.

  • Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance at the university
  • Valid university student number
  • Academic and school results relevant to the application
  • Any supporting documentation requested by the university’s Funza Lushaka office

Applicants should confirm the exact supporting-document requirements with the Funza Lushaka academic or administrative coordinator at the university where they intend to study.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY?

  • New applicants: 31 January 2027
  • Existing/returning bursars: 30 November 2026

Late applications will not be considered. Returning bursars must complete their re-application by the November deadline even though new applicants have until January 2027.

HOW DO I CONTACT THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY?

Applicants should direct bursary enquiries to the Funza Lushaka academic or administrative coordinator at their university. These university coordinators are the primary contact for application and bursary matters.

For escalation of Funza Lushaka matters, the Department of Basic Education provides the following contact details:

  • Telephone: 012 357 3000
  • Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za

ABOUT THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY PROGRAMME

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a national teacher-development programme managed by the Department of Basic Education and funded through National Treasury. NSFAS provides financial administration through the Student Financial Aid offices at participating public higher education institutions.

The programme is designed to recruit and support students who want to become teachers in subject areas and school phases where the education system has identified a need for qualified educators. Successful bursars are expected to enter teaching in public schools and fulfil the service obligation attached to the bursary.

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