The Department of Basic Education invites qualifying South African students who want to pursue teaching careers to apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Opening Date: 01 October 2026
Bursary Application Closing Date for New Applicants: 31 January 2027
Bursary Re-Application Closing Date for Returning Bursars: 30 November 2026
Bursary Location: Public Higher Education Institutions across South Africa
About the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme promotes teaching as a profession by providing financial support to selected students enrolled in approved initial teacher education qualifications.
The programme is managed by the Department of Basic Education, while NSFAS administers the financial aspects of the bursary on behalf of the department.
Successful bursary recipients are required to teach at a public school after completing their studies. The teaching service obligation generally corresponds with the number of years for which the student received Funza Lushaka funding.
Applicants should therefore understand the service requirement before accepting the bursary.
What Does the Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover?
Depending on programme limits and institutional costs, the bursary may provide funding towards:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Books and learning materials
- Teaching practice expenses, where applicable
- Living allowance
The exact value of the bursary may differ between institutions because universities have different cost structures.
Applicants should also note that funding may be subject to a bursary cap. Costs above the applicable funding limit may therefore remain the responsibility of the student.
Who Can Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
The programme is aimed at South Africans who want to qualify as teachers.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Current Grade 12 learners.
- Graduates who want to study teaching.
- People changing careers to enter the teaching profession.
- Unemployed applicants who want to become teachers.
First-time applicants must generally be 30 years old or younger.
Applicants must also meet the admission requirements for their chosen teacher education programme and obtain admission at an eligible public higher education institution.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee a bursary because available funding is limited.
Which Teaching Qualifications Are Funded?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary supports approved initial teacher education qualifications, including:
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training teaching
Applicants should ensure that their chosen programme is eligible for Funza Lushaka funding.
The programme does not fund Advanced Certificate in Education qualifications.
Priority Teaching Subjects
Funza Lushaka prioritises teaching areas where qualified educators are needed.
Foundation Phase
Priority areas include:
- Foundation Phase teaching
- South African Indigenous Languages
- Neurodevelopment needs
- Braille
- South African Sign Language
Intermediate and Senior Phase
Applicants are encouraged to specialise in priority areas such as:
- Languages
- Mathematics
- Natural Science
- Technology
Further Education and Training Phase
Priority subjects may include:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural Technology
- Civil Technology
- Computer Applications Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Geography
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Technology
- Physical Sciences
- Languages
- Maritime Studies
- Coding and Robotics
- Technical Mathematics
- Technical Science
Priority subjects may change according to teacher-demand requirements.
Important Admission Requirement
Applicants should first apply for and secure admission to an eligible teaching qualification at a public higher education institution.
A successful university admission application does not automatically result in Funza Lushaka funding, and receiving a bursary application reference does not mean the bursary has been awarded.
Applicants should therefore complete both the university admission process and the Funza Lushaka bursary application correctly.
How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027
Applications must be completed online.
Applicants can follow these steps:
- Visit the official e-Government portal.
- Register using your personal details.
- Log in with your username and password.
- Select the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.
- Enter the OTP sent through your selected communication channel.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Select the 2027 application.
- Complete all required sections of the application.
- Check that your information is accurate.
- Accept the declaration and submit the application.
Click here to apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027
Applicants should keep their login details and application information safe for future reference.
Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027 Closing Dates
There are different deadlines for new and returning applicants.
New Applicants: 31 January 2027
Returning Bursars: 30 November 2026
Late applications will not be considered, so applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline.
What Happens After Receiving the Bursary?
Successful students must continue meeting the bursary’s academic and contractual requirements.
After completing their teaching qualification, recipients are required to fulfil a public-school teaching service obligation linked to the period for which they received funding.
For example, a student funded for multiple years should expect a corresponding teaching-service commitment in terms of the bursary conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Funza Lushaka applications for 2027 open?
Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 01 October 2026.
When do new Funza Lushaka applications close?
New applications close on 31 January 2027.
When must returning bursars reapply?
Returning Funza Lushaka bursars must submit their re-applications by 30 November 2026.
Can Grade 12 learners apply?
Yes. Current Grade 12 learners who intend to study an eligible teaching qualification may apply, provided they meet the programme and institutional requirements.
Can graduates apply?
Yes. Graduates who want to enter the teaching profession may apply, subject to the programme’s eligibility requirements and age conditions.
Does Funza Lushaka fund PGCE students?
The programme may fund an approved PGCE for Senior Phase and FET teaching, subject to the applicable eligibility and priority requirements.
Do Funza Lushaka students have to teach after graduating?
Yes. Successful bursary recipients have a teaching service obligation at a public school linked to the period of bursary funding.
Is Funza Lushaka the same as NSFAS?
No. Funza Lushaka is a teaching bursary programme managed by the Department of Basic Education. NSFAS handles its financial administration on behalf of the department.