The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) has officially opened applications for the HWSETA Bursary Programme for Unemployed Persons with Disabilities (2025–2026). This fully funded bursary initiative is aimed at supporting learners with disabilities who are studying or will be studying in health, welfare, social, and veterinary fields at recognised institutions in South Africa.
This programme is specifically designed to remove financial and access barriers to education by covering both academic and disability-related costs.
Bursary Closing Date: 13 February 2026
What Makes This HWSETA Bursary Different?
This is not a basic tuition-only bursary. The HWSETA bursary is structured to support the full reality of studying with a disability, ensuring learners can participate meaningfully in higher education.
Costs Covered Include:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Prescribed books
- Living allowances
- Disability-related study costs, including:
- Assistive devices
- Transport
- Additional reasonable learning-access needs
Maximum Funding:
- Up to R240 000 per learner (undergraduate and postgraduate)
Who the Bursary Is For
Target Group
- Unemployed persons with disabilities
- Learners studying in health, welfare, social or veterinary disciplines
- Learners enrolled for the 2025 or 2026 academic year
Study Levels Covered
1) Undergraduate Studies (NQF Level 5–8)
- Higher Certificate (NQF 5)
- Diploma (NQF 6)
- Advanced Diploma (NQF 7)
- Degree (NQF 7–8)
2) Postgraduate Research (NQF Level 8–10)
- Honours
- Masters
- Doctorate (PhD)
Fields of Study Supported
The qualification must fall within the HWSETA sector, including but not limited to:
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Speech Therapy
- Radiography
- Pharmacy-related fields
- Medicine and clinical programmes
- Veterinary Science / Animal Health
- Community Development and Welfare
If your qualification is health, welfare, social, or veterinary related, you may qualify.
Important: How This Bursary Is Applied For
⚠️ Students do NOT apply directly to HWSETA
This bursary works differently from most bursaries:
- Institutions apply to HWSETA
- The institution submits applications on behalf of eligible students
- Students must first engage their Financial Aid / Bursary Office
What You Must Do as a Student
- Confirm your qualification qualifies
(Health / Welfare / Social / Veterinary) - Obtain a disability confirmation letter
- Must be from a registered health practitioner
- Contact your institution’s Financial Aid Office
Ask:- “Is the institution applying for the HWSETA bursary for unemployed persons with disabilities?”
- “Can I be included in the submission?”
- Submit all required documents internally
Your institution will then submit the full application to HWSETA.
Institutional Requirements (For Training Providers)
Institutions submitting applications must:
- Be registered with DHET
- If private, submit proof of accreditation
- Submit applications via the official email:
📧 Unemployedbursaries@hwseta.org.za - Submit before 13 February 2026
- Include all required supporting documentation
Key Eligibility Requirements (Learners)
To qualify, the learner must:
- Be a person with a disability
- Be unemployed
- Be studying in 2025 or 2026
- Be enrolled at:
- A university or university of technology, OR
- A public/private nursing college (HWSETA employer)
- Have a valid disability confirmation letter from a registered health practitioner
Closing Date
🗓 13 February 2026
Late submissions will not be considered.
Why This Bursary Matters
For many learners with disabilities, the real barriers to education are not just tuition fees, but transport, accommodation, and access tools. The HWSETA bursary directly addresses these challenges and provides meaningful, inclusive funding that enables learners to complete their studies with dignity and support.
If you qualify, start the process now by contacting your institution — do not wait until the last week.