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Bursary Overview

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a government initiative designed to train and develop new teachers for South African public schools,
especially in subjects and phases where there is a shortage of qualified educators.
It is a service-linked bursary, which means that, after you complete your teaching qualification, you are expected to teach for a period
linked to the number of years you were funded.https://bursariesopennow.co.za/bursaries-closing-soon/

Official information and updates are published on the Funza Lushaka website
(funzalushaka.doe.gov.za)
and the DBE programme page
(education.gov.za).

Who the Bursary is For

The Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026 is mainly for:

• South African citizens with a valid SA ID.
• Matric learners planning to study a full-time teaching degree (B.Ed.) at a public university.
• Current teaching students who meet the criteria for funding continuation (re-award/re-application).
• Applicants who are willing to specialise in priority subject areas and commit to teaching in public schools after graduating.

The bursary focuses on training teachers in areas of need. In other words, it does not fund every teaching subject equally every year.
Priority areas are guided by provincial and national teacher demand.

Fields of Study Covered

For the 2026 cycle, the official application notes indicated that funding is aimed at approved Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programmes
that allow students to specialise in at least two priority subject areas.
The programme also referenced a B.Ed. in Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) at selected institutions.
(See official “Application Notes 2026” on the Funza website.)

Teaching phases commonly funded

• Foundation Phase (Grades R–3)
• Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6)
• Senior Phase & FET (Grades 7–12)

Priority subjects (examples)

Priority lists can differ by year and province, but the DBE 2026 programme information highlighted areas such as Mathematics, Natural Sciences,
Physical Sciences, Technology-related subjects, selected languages, SASL, Braille, and Neurodevelopmental Needs, depending on phase.
Always confirm the most current priority subjects using the DBE PDF and official portal.

Official priority documents:
DBE Funza Lushaka page and the 2026 PDF
(Subject Priority Areas (2026)).

What the Bursary Covers

The Funza Lushaka bursary generally covers key study costs for eligible students, within a capped amount.
The official 2026 application notes explain that the bursary can include:

• Tuition fees (paid to the university)
• Accommodation and meals (where applicable and within the bursary structure)
• Books and learning materials
• Teaching practice (where applicable)
• A living allowance (depending on the cost model and university setup)

Important: The bursary has a cap. If your study costs exceed the cap, you may need to cover the difference yourself.
If your costs are lower than the cap, the programme generally pays actual costs, not the maximum cap amount.
Because university fees differ, the total bursary value can differ from one institution to another.

Eligibility Requirements

Below are common eligibility rules and academic requirements included in official information for the 2026 cycle.
Requirements may change each year, so always confirm on the official portal and official application notes.

General eligibility

• Must be a South African citizen with a valid SA ID.
• Must apply online (no hard-copy applications).
• Must be accepted or provisionally accepted at a public university for an approved B.Ed. programme, and have a valid student number.
• Must have chosen a teaching specialisation that includes priority subject areas.
• If you already have a teaching qualification, you may not qualify (as per application notes guidance).

Academic requirements (examples from official criteria)

Academic requirements can be phase-specific. As an example, the national selection criteria and 2026 notes reference
home language performance and Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy levels for Foundation and Intermediate Phase teaching.
Senior/FET applicants often need strong results in two subjects aligned to the priority areas.

Helpful official documents:
Application Notes 2026 (PDF),
National Selection Criteria (PDF).

Programmes not funded (2026 guidance)

The 2026 application notes indicated that certain programmes/subjects were not funded due to oversupply,
and the notes specifically stated that PGCE was not funded for that cycle.
Always confirm the current year’s funding rules before applying.

Required Documents

The official guidance confirms that supporting documents must be submitted to your university’s Funza Lushaka office after applying online.
The exact document checklist can vary by institution, so your university may provide its own list and submission method.

Commonly requested documents (confirm with your university):

• Certified copy of your South African ID
• Matric results/certificate (for first-year applicants)
• Latest academic record/transcript (for current university students)
• Proof of acceptance/provisional acceptance and your student number
• Any university-specific Funza forms or declarations

Step-by-Step How to Apply

Applications are done online through the official e-Government portal. Here are the steps published on the official Funza site:

1. Open the e-Gov portal: www.eservices.gov.za
2. Register by providing your personal information.
3. Log in using your username and password.
4. On the e-Services menu, select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.
5. Enter the OTP you receive.
6. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
7. On your dashboard, select the relevant application year (e.g., 2026 application).
8. Complete all required fields carefully, especially your teaching phase and priority subject choices.
9. Submit the online application.
10. Submit your supporting documents to your university’s Funza Lushaka office (as instructed by your institution).

Official application steps page:
First-time application guide.

Tips to avoid common application problems

• Apply only after you have a student number and acceptance/provisional acceptance.
• Double-check your email address and cellphone number (you will receive an OTP).
• Choose your priority subjects carefully—funding is linked to these choices.
• Keep copies of your submitted information and any reference numbers.
• Ask your university’s Funza office how and when to submit documents.

Closing Date

For the 2026 cycle, official information showed these dates:

• Re-applications for existing/returning bursars: 30 November 2025
• New applications: The Funza portal displayed “New applications close on 01/02/2026”
• DBE communications widely referenced: New applications closing on 24 January 2026

Because different official channels displayed different “close” dates for new applications, always follow the safest option:
apply before the earliest published closing date, and confirm current-year dates on the official portal:
funzalushaka.doe.gov.za.

Selection Process (if available)

Funza Lushaka bursaries are limited and competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee you will be funded.
According to official guidance, selections are based on merit and alignment with priority subject areas.
Universities may apply selection criteria that are higher than the minimum, depending on demand and available funding.

If you are selected, you will usually be required to sign an agreement and comply with all bursary conditions (including academic performance and service obligations).

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is the Funza Lushaka Bursary a loan?

Funza Lushaka is a service-linked bursary. This means you are funded to study teaching, and after graduating you are expected to work (teach)
for a period linked to the years you received funding. If you do not meet bursary conditions, you may have to repay funds according to the rules in the bursary agreement.
Always read the official application notes and your contract carefully.

2) Which qualifications does it fund?

For the 2026 cycle, the programme focused on B.Ed. programmes (and referenced B.Ed. ECCE at selected universities).
The official 2026 notes indicated that PGCE was not funded for that cycle. Check the current year’s rules on the official portal.

3) Can I apply without a student number?

Official guidance says you should apply once you have a valid student number and are accepted or provisionally accepted at your chosen university.
If you apply too early, you may not qualify.

4) Do I need to be good at Maths to apply?

Requirements depend on the teaching phase and subject specialisation. Many priority areas include Mathematics and Science, and some phase criteria
reference minimum levels for Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy. Use the official selection criteria and application notes to confirm what applies to you.

5) Where do I get help if I’m stuck?

Start with your university’s Funza Lushaka office (Faculty/School of Education). You can also use the DBE Funza page for contact channels:
education.gov.za/Programmes/FunzaLushaka.aspx.

Important Notes & Warnings

• Online applications only: Apply via www.eservices.gov.za.
• Funding is capped: You may need to top up if your university costs exceed the cap.
• Priority subject choices matter: Funding depends on teaching specialisation in priority subjects.
• Deadlines are strict: Late applications are typically not accepted.
• Always use official sources: Confirm dates and rules on the official Funza portal and DBE pages.https://bursariesopennow.co.za/bursaries-closing-soon/

Related Searches

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Official Sources (Recommended)

• Funza Lushaka official website
• Funza Lushaka Bursary Application Notes 2026 (PDF)
• DBE Funza Lushaka programme page
• First-time application steps
• National Selection Criteria (PDF)