The Department of Human Settlement (DHS) Scholarship Programme is now officially open for applications for funding for 2026 academic year. South African students pusuing fields related to Human Settlements must apply between 22 December 2025 and 7 January 2026. Late applications will not be considered.
The DHS is one of 32 departments of the government of South Africa that is responsible for providing access to services like (water, sanitation, electricity), tenure security, and economic opportunities. It co-ordinates the work done by provincial departments and municipalities spread across the country. Its mandate is to deliver decent housing, upgrade informal settlements, and release public land for development.
Fields Covered by the DHS Scholarship Programme
The DHS scholarship has limited funding targeting students in the following human settlement related fields of study:
- Architecture or Architectural Technology
- Construction Management or Science
- Civil Engineering
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Town and Regional Planning
- Urban and Rural Studies
- Quantity Surveying
- Land or Building Surveying
If your studies fall outside of the above-mentioned study fields, your application will not be considered for 2026 academic year.
Eligibility Criteria – Who Must Apply?
If you wish to apply for the DHS Scholarship, you must meet the following crieria:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have completed Grade 12 (Matric)
- Your performance must be exceptional and outstanding
- You must intend to study towards an undergraduate qualification within one of fields listed above
- You must be accepted or provisionally accepted to study at a recognised institution of higher learning accredited in South Africa
- You must NOT have completed any previous tertiary qualifications
- You must be able to demonstrate financial neediness
DHS Scholarship Coverage
Successful applicants will have the following expenses covered by the Department:
- Registration fees
- Full tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks and course material
- Residence and meals
The following expenses will NOT be covered:
- Stipend/ monthly allowance
- Transport costs
- Photocopying
- Bridging courses
- Membership affiliations and
- Laundry services
What You Need To Apply
In order for your application to be evaluated against others, it must include supporting documents listed below:
- Fully completed official application form (download it from the DHS website)
- ID document (certified copy)
- June/ December Matric results (certified copy)
- Acceptance proof/ provisional acceptance from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copies)
- Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ proof of pension or sassa grant if applicable)
- Proof of Residence
Certification of documents should be latest and not older than three months.
How To Apply?
Download and complete the official DHS Scholarship Application Form 2026 (.pdf)
Complete form and supporting documents must be returned by email to: scholarships2026@dhs.gov.za. Make sure that the email subject reads “DHS Scholarship 2026”.
Closing Date for the DHS Scholarship
7 January 2026.
No late applications will be accepted. Make sure you apply before the closing date.
Scholarship Contact Information
If you have queries regarding this scholarship programme, feel free to contact the Department of Human Settlement by email:
- Email address: scholarships2026@dhs.gov.za
See other Government Bursaries and Scholarships or bursaries still open for applications for 2026.