Funza Lushaka bursary 2026 application form, status and requirements

The Funza Lushaka bursary program is a government-sponsored financial aid scheme targeting students pursuing teaching-related courses. Upon graduation, the beneficiaries must work in public schools for the same number of years they received funds from the bursary. Read about the Funza Lushaka bursary 2026 application process below.

Key takeaways

• The Funza Lushaka bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation (including meals), books, and learning materials.
• Students enrolled in this program can also receive a small allowance for monthly living expenses.

Funza Lushaka bursary 2026 online application process

The Funza Lushaka application window opens once per year. All first-time applicants must be South African citizens aged 30 years or younger. Here is how to apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary for the first time:

• Go to the South African government's e-Services portal.
• Provide personal information to register.
• Log in to the system using the username and password you created when registering.

• Select "Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme" from the e-Services Menu.
• Enter the OTP received on the preferred channel.
• Accept the Terms and Conditions.
• Click "2026 application" on the dashboard menu.
• Provide the required information and follow the steps until you fill out all the required fields.
• Accept the declaration to confirm the information captured.
• You will receive an email confirming your application.
• Keep the email as proof that you submitted your application.

How to do a Funza Lushaka status check

To check your Funza Lushaka status:

• Visit the Funza Lushaka login page.
• Log in using the username and password you created during the application process.
• Navigate to the "Application Status" or a similar section to view updates on your application.

The Funza Lushaka portal has sometimes been offline, so be patient or try checking back later if you encounter technical difficulties. For updates or issues, you can also contact the Funza Lushaka administrative coordinators at your university directly.

Funza Lushaka bursary requirements

The online application process is mandatory; no hard copies or late applications are accepted. Here are some essential requirements a first-time applicant should meet:

• An applicant must be a South African citizen with a valid ID card.
• You should be 30 years or younger.
• You must have a valid phone number and email address.
• Employees of institutions of higher learning, their spouses, and their dependents/children are not allowed to apply for the fund.
• An applicant with a criminal record, work-related misconduct, and dismissals is not eligible for the fund.
• You must have completed matric and been accepted into an approved Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) program by a public university.
• The bursary will only be awarded if two of the priority area subjects are included as a specialization in the teaching qualification.
• The applicant must also meet the national selection criteria for the Funza Lushaka bursary.
• Applicants should demonstrate a passion for teaching, good communication skills, and a willingness to work in any province or rural area that needs teachers.
• Existing beneficiaries who are re-applying must have attained a minimum of 50% in all modules and should be proceeding to the next year of study.

You should meet the minimum academic criteria to demonstrate good academic ability. Some of the required academic qualifications for the Fundza online application for 2026 undergraduates include:

• You must have attained a Level 4 pass / 60% (SG) or 50% (HG) for a matric subject that leads to the priority area.
• The qualifications for anyone interested in pursuing foundational areas include a passing grade in Mathematics/Mathematic Literacy (if the individual matriculated before 2008, when Math was not compulsory, overall good performance may still be considered) and a Level 4 pass / 60% (SG) or 50% (HG) in home language.
• If you did not take math or math literacy courses at the matric level, you need a pass to pursue technology courses.
• Individuals already at the university or enrolling for PGCE must have passed the modules taken during the last semester and attained a minimum of 55% average across all modules studied in the previous year.

What courses are covered by the Funza Lushaka bursary?

The Funza Lushaka bursary is available to students pursuing these courses:

A four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) specializing in one of the following:

• Foundation Phase (Grade R — 3)
• Intermediate Phase (Grade 4–6)
• Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7–12)

A one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE):

• Only the PGCE for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (SPFET) (Grade 7–12)

The Funza Lushaka bursary 2026 opening date

The Funza Lushaka bursary application period typically opens around October for the following academic year. The 2026 academic year applications will typically open around September to October 2025. The Funza Lushaka bursary opening date for 2025 was October 1, 2024.

You should monitor the Department of Basic Education (DBE) official website and the South African government's e-Services portal for an official announcement.

What is the closing date for Funza Lushaka bursary?

The official closing dates for the 2026 Funza Lushaka bursary have not yet been announced, but applications for the 2025 academic year, which typically follow the same timeline, closed on January 26, 2025, (for new applicants) and November 30, 2024 (for re-applications (existing bursars)).

Who can apply for Funza?

A South African citizen under the age of 30 years who has never had a teaching qualification but has been accepted into an approved B.Ed. or PGCE program can apply for a Funza Lushaka bursary.

When can one apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary?

Candidates can apply for the bursary once they have been accepted into a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) program at their university of choice. The Funza Lushaka bursary online application form requires the student's university registration number.

Are distance and part-time students eligible for Funza?

Distance education and part-time students are eligible, provided they qualify in all other respects and complete the qualification within the minimum stipulated time.

Are recipients of other bursaries eligible for Funza?

Recipients of other bursaries are eligible but should decline the other bursary once they are offered a Funza Lushaka bursary.

Are foreign students eligible for a Funza Lushaka bursary?

NSFAS will not contract to offer a Funza Lushaka bursary to a foreign student or a student holding a temporary resident permit.

Does Funza Lushaka give allowance?

The Funza Lushaka bursary covers almost all student expenses, from tuition fees to accommodation, meals, and a small monthly allowance for basic living expenses.

Depending on the institution's fee structure, a few expenses are sometimes included. Also, in exceptional circumstances, traveling costs may be included if students need to travel to school.

How much does Funza Lushaka pay per student per month?

The Funza Lushaka bursary program does not pay a set amount per student per month, but rather a fixed bursary value that covers tuition, accommodation, meals, and learning materials, with an additional allowance for basic living expenses that can be around R600 per month.

The total allocation to each student is capped at a specific value, and the monthly stipend is intended to cover basic living expenses where possible.

How much is Funza Lushaka bursary?

Institutions have different cost structures, so the total value of a bursary differs from institution to institution. Funza Lushaka bursaries should cover essential expenses.

How much is the Funza Lushaka monthly allowance?

Sources estimate each beneficiary received a monthly allowance of R600 in 2024 to cover living expenses and other personal needs. NSFAS facilitates the Funza Lushaka bursary. However, applicants are encouraged to apply for an NSFAS bursary since limited Funza Lushaka bursaries are available yearly.

Is the Funza Lushaka bursary renewable?

A Funza Lushaka bursary holder must re-apply annually before the end of November. Upon proof of academic progress, the bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time.

How many years does Funza Lushaka fund you?

The Funza Lushaka bursary funds your studies for one academic year at a time, requiring you to reapply annually based on proof of good academic progress and pending the availability of funds. You are obligated to teach one year in a public school for each year you receive funding, for a total duration equivalent to your studies.

How is the Funza Lushaka bursary repaid?

The beneficiaries must teach in public schools for years equivalent to those for which they received the funds. For instance, an applicant funded for three years must teach in a public school for three years once they graduate. No further repayment is required from them.

Recipients may ONLY be required to repay the money with interest if they breach any of the stipulated terms and conditions. In such a case, the interest accrued to the bursary will be determined by NSFAS.

What are the Funza Lushaka bursary contact details?

If you have any concerns, questions, complaints, or suggestions about bursaries for 2026, contact the Funza Lushaka administrative coordinator (they are available in every university in South Africa). Alternatively, call 012 357 3000 or send an email to inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za.

Students aspiring to be teachers should consider applying for the Funza Lushaka bursary 2026 financial support program. Once you are selected, you are required to update your placement information annually. The provincial education department places the beneficiaries in public schools where they will be teaching.

Briefly.co.za published the Makwarela TVET college online application process. Makwarela TVET College is a government institution located in Thohoyandou, South Africa. It is a top-rated institution offering various courses.

The institution was previously known as the Vocational College of Venda, Finyazwanda. Prospective students can apply to various programs using the online application portal.

Source: Briefly News