The Free State Office of the Premier invites eligible South African students residing in the Free State province to apply for the Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 13 November 2026 at 16:00
Bursary Location: Free State, South Africa
The bursary supports full-time degree and diploma studies in critical and scarce-skills areas, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Finance, Economics, Accounting, Psychology, Social Sciences, Aviation, Public Governance and Developmental Studies.
Successful applicants may receive funding towards tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meals, transport and a monthly living allowance, where applicable.
About the Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027
The Free State Provincial Government, through the Office of the Premier, provides bursary opportunities to help develop skills needed within the province.
The programme aims to improve the capacity of the workforce by supporting students pursuing qualifications in fields identified as scarce or critical skills.
The bursary is specifically targeted at qualifying students who reside within the Free State province.
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old, unemployed and studying or planning to study full-time at a recognised South African university or university of technology.
Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fields of Study Covered
Bursaries will be awarded for degree or diploma studies in the following areas:
- STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Finance
- Economics
- Accounting
- Psychology-related studies
- Social Sciences
- Aviation Studies
- Various Bachelor of Administration programmes
- Public Governance
- Developmental Studies
Applicants should ensure that their intended qualification falls within one of the advertised fields before submitting an application.
What Does the Free State Government Bursary Cover?
Successful applicants may receive financial assistance towards:
- Tuition fees;
- Prescribed textbooks;
- Learning aid devices, where applicable;
- Meals;
- Accommodation, where applicable;
- Transport, where applicable; and
- Monthly living allowance, where applicable.
The exact support received may therefore depend on the student’s individual circumstances and applicable bursary conditions.
Additional Student Support
Bursary recipients will also have access to support structures intended to assist them during their studies.
These include the Student Liaison and Support Unit, which provides academic and emotional support.
The Stakeholder Support Unit assists with coordination between bursary recipients and higher education institutions.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements.
You must:
- Be a South African citizen;
- Reside within the Free State province;
- Be between 18 and 35 years old;
- Be currently completing Matric or have already completed Matric;
- Have a total household income of less than R600,000 per year;
- Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an eligible degree or diploma;
- Be accepted at a recognised and accredited Higher Education Institution in South Africa;
- Study at a university or university of technology;
- Not be receiving another form of government funding;
- Be unemployed; and
- Be willing to work within the related service sectors.
Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Household Income Requirement
Applicants must have a household income of less than R600,000 per annum.
Proof of household income must accompany the application.
Depending on the circumstances of the applicant’s parents or guardians, this may include:
- Recent payslips if employed;
- An affidavit if unemployed;
- Proof of a SASSA grant, where applicable; or
- Proof of pension income, where applicable.
Payslips submitted as proof of income should not be older than three months.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit clear copies of all compulsory supporting documentation together with the completed application form.
Required documents include:
- Certified copy of the applicant’s ID;
- Certified copy of September Matric results if currently in Matric;
- Certified copy of the Matric certificate if Matric has already been completed;
- Proof of acceptance from a registered Higher Education Institution;
- Proof of residence not older than three months;
- Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents;
- Parents’ or guardians’ death certificates where applicable; and
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income.
Incomplete applications or applications that do not include compulsory supporting documents may be disqualified.
Where Can You Get the Application Form?
Applicants must complete the prescribed Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form.
Application forms may also be collected from:
- Office of the Premier – FSTDI;
- OR Tambo Building;
- Thusong Centres;
- Central University of Technology; and
- University of the Free State.
Applicants should carefully complete all sections of the application form before submitting it.
How to Apply for Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027
Applications must be hand delivered to:
FSTDI Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive
Westdene
Bloemfontein
9301
Applications should be delivered to the Bursary Unit at the reception area.
Applicants should ensure that the completed application form and all required supporting documents are submitted before the closing date.
Selection Process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
According to the supplied bursary information, shortlisted applicants should be contacted within four months after the closing date.
If you have not received feedback within four months, you should consider your application unsuccessful.
Before Submitting Your Application
Before hand-delivering your application, check that:
- Every section of the application form has been completed;
- Your ID copy is certified;
- Your Matric results or certificate are included;
- Your proof of acceptance is attached;
- Your proof of residence is less than three months old;
- Your parents’ or guardians’ documents are attached;
- Your household-income documents are included;
- All required certifications are valid; and
- Your application is submitted before 16:00 on the closing date.
Keep a copy of your completed application and supporting documents for your records.
Free State Provincial Government Bursary Closing Date
Applications close on:
13 November 2026 at 16:00
Late applications will not be accepted.
Eligible students are encouraged to prepare their documents and submit their applications well before the deadline.
Contact Details
For enquiries regarding the Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme, contact the Free State Office of the Premier:
Telephone: 065 742 5935 / 060 533 4702
Email: bursariesfs@fspremier.gov.za
Office Hours: 07:30 – 16:00
Applicants requiring assistance with completing the application form can also visit the Bursary Office at:
Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Street
Bloemfontein
Postal Address:
Free State Office of the Premier
Bursary Section
Private Bag X20565
Bloemfontein
9300
Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bursary Provider | Free State Office of the Premier |
| Academic Year | 2027 |
| Eligible Age | 18–35 years |
| Province | Free State |
| Study Level | Diploma and Degree |
| Study Mode | Full-time |
| Institution | University or University of Technology |
| Household Income | Less than R600,000 per annum |
| Employment Status | Unemployed |
| Application Method | Hand delivery |
| Closing Date | 13 November 2026 at 16:00 |