- IS THE SAAFoST BURSARY OPEN?
- WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE SAAFoST UNDERGRADUATE BURSARY COVER?
- WHAT ARE THE SAAFoST BURSARY REQUIREMENTS?
- WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE SAAFoST BURSARY?
- HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE SAAFoST UNDERGRADUATE BURSARY?
- WHEN IS THE SAAFoST UNDERGRADUATE BURSARY CLOSING DATE?
- DOES THE SAAFoST BURSARY HAVE ANY CONDITIONS?
- HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BURSARY?
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAAFoST BURSARY
SAAFoST Bursary: The SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary is open for applications for the 2027 academic year. The bursary is aimed at students studying towards their first undergraduate qualification in Food Science and Technology at a recognised South African tertiary institution. Applications close on 29 January 2027.
Is the SAAFoST Bursary Open?
Yes. The SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary is currently open for applications.
The closing date for applications is 29 January 2027. The bursary is intended for students who are already studying full-time towards their first undergraduate degree or diploma in Food Science and Technology at a recognised South African tertiary institution.
It is important not to confuse the SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary with the separate SAAFoST Matriculant Bursary. The undergraduate programme is aimed at students already in tertiary education, while the Matriculant Bursary is intended for learners preparing to enter undergraduate studies.
What Fields of Study Does the SAAFoST Bursary Cover?
The South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) Foundation Undergraduate Bursary provides financial assistance to students pursuing undergraduate studies in Food Science and Technology.
The bursary is specifically intended for students studying Food Science and Technology.
Eligible applicants may be pursuing a first undergraduate:
- Degree in Food Science and Technology
- Diploma in Food Science and Technology
- Other qualifying undergraduate Food Science and Technology programmes recognised under the SAAFoST bursary criteria
The qualification must be offered by a recognised South African tertiary institution.
Your programme must fall within the Food Science and Technology field.
What Are the SAAFoST Bursary Requirements?
To be considered, applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
- You must be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- You must have been a resident in South Africa for at least three years before applying.
- You must have completed Matric.
- You must be enrolled for full-time undergraduate study.
- You must be studying towards your first undergraduate degree or diploma.
- Your qualification must be in Food Science and Technology.
- You must be studying at a recognised South African tertiary institution.
- You must have been a SAAFoST member for at least 12 months before applying.
- You must be able to complete your qualification within the period permitted under the bursary conditions.
- You must submit the required personal statement and reference.
SAAFoST also considers academic merit, employment equity and demonstrated potential when selecting bursary recipients. Meeting the basic requirements therefore does not automatically guarantee that your application will be successful.
How long must the qualification take?
SAAFoST specifies maximum periods for completing qualifying programmes. Applicants should check the current application form and bursary conditions to ensure that their qualification falls within the permitted period.
Do I need to be a SAAFoST member?
Yes. Applicants for the Undergraduate Bursary must have been SAAFoST members for at least 12 months before applying.
What Does the SAAFoST Bursary Cover?
The SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary provides funding towards actual tuition fees, up to a maximum of R60,000 per year.
The amount is based on the tertiary institution’s statement of account issued in the student’s name. SAAFoST pays the tuition funding directly to the tertiary institution.
Does the SAAFoST Bursary pay a monthly allowance?
No monthly living allowance is listed in the official SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary package.
The main financial benefit is tuition-fee assistance of up to R60,000 per annum.
Students should therefore not assume that the bursary covers accommodation, meals, transport, books or other living expenses unless SAAFoST confirms this separately.
How are the tuition payments made?
The tuition funding is paid directly to the tertiary institution in two instalments.
The first instalment is subject to satisfactory results from the previous year, while the second instalment depends on satisfactory first-semester results.
How Does the SAAFoST Bursary Work for Undergraduate Students?
The SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary is intended for students who are already enrolled in tertiary education and are continuing towards their first Food Science and Technology qualification.
The current 2027 undergraduate application form specifically refers to students in their 2nd to 4th year of studies.
This makes the opportunity different from the SAAFoST Matriculant Bursary, which is aimed at current Matric learners who intend to begin undergraduate studies.
If you are entering your first year of university in 2027, carefully check which SAAFoST bursary programme applies to you before submitting an application.
What Documents Are Needed for the SAAFoST Bursary?
Applicants must submit the required supporting documents together with their completed application form.
- Head-and-shoulders passport-size photograph
- Certified copy of your ID book or South African passport
- Certified copy of your most recent academic results
- Personal statement
- Reference letter
- Proof of registration at your tertiary institution for 2027
What should the personal statement contain?
The personal statement must be no longer than one A4 page.
It should explain how your education and training in Food Science and Technology will make a positive difference in your life and contribute to the scientific community.
Your statement should therefore connect your current studies with your career ambitions, interest in Food Science and Technology and the contribution you hope to make through your education.
What should the reference letter contain?
SAAFoST requires a reference that speaks to your character. The reference should be written by someone at your tertiary institution who has known you in a learning capacity.
How Do I Apply for the SAAFoST Bursary?
Download and complete the application form. Choose on of the two formats:
- SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary Application Form 2027 (.pdf)
- SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary Application Form 2027 (.docx)
Application email: irene@saafost.org.za
Applicants should use a clear subject line such as SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary Application when submitting their application.
The official SAAFoST website provides the current application form and bursary information.
Is the SAAFoST Bursary application online?
If you searched for “SAAFoST Bursary Online Application”, note that the current undergraduate application is not submitted through a conventional online portal.
You download the application form, complete it and submit it by email with the required supporting documents.
When Is The Closing Date For SaaFost BUrsary?
SAAFoST Bursary Closing Date: 29 January 2027
The SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary 2027 closing date is 29 January 2027.
Applicants should submit their applications well before the deadline to allow enough time to obtain certified documents, complete the personal statement and reference requirements, and ensure that the application is received successfully.
Do not confuse the SAAFoST Undergraduate and Matriculant bursaries
SAAFoST offers more than one bursary programme, and the closing dates can differ.
| SAAFoST Bursary | Who it is for | 2027 Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary | Existing undergraduate Food Science and Technology students | 29 January 2027 |
| SAAFoST Matriculant Bursary | Current Matric learners entering undergraduate study | 30 October 2026 |
This distinction is important when searching for SAAFoST Bursary, because both programmes may appear in search results.
What Happens After Applying for the SAAFoST Bursary?
SAAFoST reviews Undergraduate Bursary applications during February 2027, with successful recipients expected to be announced in March 2027.
Applications are assessed using factors including:
- Academic merit
- Employment equity
- Demonstrated potential
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically mean that an applicant will receive funding.
Does the SAAFoST Bursary Have Any Conditions?
Yes. Successful applicants must accept the conditions of the bursary through a contract.
Bursary recipients are required to provide SAAFoST with six-monthly reports and examination results, including information about their participation in SAAFoST activities.
There is also an important financial condition. Under certain circumstances, the bursary may be converted into a repayable loan at the prime interest rate.
This may happen if, without formal permission from SAAFoST, the recipient:
- Terminates their studies.
- Interrupts their studies.
- Fails a year or semester.
- Does not complete the qualification within the permitted period.
SAAFoST may also suspend funding in certain circumstances involving unsuccessful completion of courses. Repeated courses, subjects or modules are not funded.
Applicants should therefore read the full bursary conditions carefully before accepting an award.
How Can I Contact The Bursary?
If you have questions about the SAAFoST Undergraduate Bursary, you can contact the SAAFoST Membership Development Officer using the details below:
| Contact | SAAFoST Membership Development Officer |
|---|---|
| Telephone | 071 870 2633 |
| irene@saafost.org.za |
Applicants should use the official SAAFoST website and the latest application form when checking application requirements, deadlines and submission instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SAAFoST Bursary
When Does the SAAFoST Bursary Close?
Applications for the SAAFoST Matriculant Bursary close on 30 October 2026. Applications are reviewed in November 2026, with successful recipients expected to be announced in December 2026.
What Marks Do I Need for the SAAFoST Matriculant Bursary?
Applicants for the SAAFoST Matriculant Bursary must achieve at least Level 5 in both Physical Science and Mathematics.
Can Students Already at University Apply for a SAAFoST Bursary?
Yes. In addition to the Matriculant Bursary, SAAFoST offers an Undergraduate Bursary for students already studying full-time towards a degree or diploma in Food Science and Technology.
How Are SAAFoST Bursary Recipients Selected?
SAAFoST considers academic merit, employment equity and demonstrated potential when selecting bursary recipients. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee that an applicant will receive funding.
See related General Bursaries in South Africa for 2027 academic year.
Last updated: September 2026