The Free State Office of the Premier invites qualifying South African students residing in the Free State to apply for the Provincial Government Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 13 November 2026 at 16:00
Bursary Location: Free State Province, South Africa
Study Level: Diploma and Degree studies
About the Free State Provincial Government Bursary
The Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme is aimed at supporting students who want to study towards qualifications in scarce and critical skills areas needed within the province.
The programme is intended to strengthen the province’s future workforce and contribute to economic and skills development.
Fields of Study Covered
Bursaries will be awarded for studies in the following areas:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Finance
- Economics
- Accounting
- Psychology-related studies
- Social Sciences
- Aviation Studies
- Public Administration
- Public Governance
- Development Studies
- Other related BAdmin qualifications
What the Bursary Covers
The bursary may provide funding for:
- Tuition fees.
- Prescribed textbooks.
- Learning aid devices, where applicable.
- Meals.
- Accommodation, where applicable.
- Transport, where applicable.
- Monthly living allowance, where applicable.
Additional Student Support
Successful bursary recipients may also receive support through:
- Student Liaison and Support Unit for academic and emotional support.
- Stakeholder Support Unit to assist with coordination between students and tertiary institutions.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Reside within the Free State province.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be currently in 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.
- Be pursuing a Diploma or Degree in one of the approved fields.
- Be accepted at a recognised and accredited South African University or University of Technology.
- Not be receiving another form of government funding.
- Be unemployed.
- Be willing to work within relevant service sectors.
Preference may be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit:
- Certified copy of South African ID.
- Certified Matric September results if currently in Matric.
- Certified 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.
- Death certificates if parents or guardians are deceased.
- Proof of household income.
Where applicable, proof of household income may include:
- Latest payslips not older than three months.
- Affidavit if unemployed.
- Proof of SASSA grant.
- Proof of pension income.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official Free State Office of the Premier bursary application form.
Click here to download the Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form
Application forms may also be collected from:
- Free State Office of the Premier.
- FSTDI.
- OR Tambo Building.
- Thusong Centres.
- Central University of Technology.
- University of the Free State.
Completed 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.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted within four months after the closing date.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within this period should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Enquiries
For bursary enquiries, contact the Free State Office of the Premier:
Telephone: 065 742 5935 / 060 533 4702
Email: bursariesfs@fspremier.gov.za
Office Hours: 07:30 to 16:00
Applicants requiring assistance may also visit:
Bursary Office
Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Street
Bloemfontein
Postal Address:
Free State Office of the Premier
Bursary Section
Private Bag X20565
Bloemfontein
9300
Closing Date
13 November 2026 at 16:00
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.