There is no single set of bursary requirements in South Africa: every funder sets its own. The elements that come up again and again are South African citizenship, acceptance at (or registration with) an institution, a certified ID, your latest academic results, proof of household income and, for many funders, a listed field of study.
The sections below use the funders’ own published criteria as examples. Figures change each cycle, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the funder’s page before you apply. For example, the NSFAS and IDC figures below come from the NSFAS FAQs and the IDC bursaries page.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
Who qualifies for a bursary depends on the funder. Published examples:
- NSFAS: South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or are already registered, at a public university or TVET college. See also NSFAS requirements.
- IDC (2027 intake): unemployed South African citizens with financial need, not older than 26, studying full-time in a listed finance, STEM or law field at a South African public university or university of technology.
- Funza Lushaka (teaching, 2027 year of study): first-time applicants must be under 30, and a criminal record under ten years old rules you out. Details are in the Funza Lushaka 2027 application notes.
- ISFAP: South African citizens enrolled or planning to enrol at an accredited South African university in an Occupation of High Demand, who pass a means test. See the ISFAP students page.
If you searched for the “Ikusasa Lethu” bursary: that is not the name of an official programme we can point you to. The nearest match is the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) above, so check its page to see whether it is the one you mean.
If you are looking for engineering bursaries, the IDC lists engineering disciplines among the fields it funds for 2027. Check each funder’s list of funded fields before applying, because applications outside the listed fields are not considered.
Income and Affordability Requirements
Means-tested bursaries look at household income, not just your own. The published thresholds are:
- NSFAS bursary: gross combined household income of R350 000 or less a year, or R600 000 or less for a person with a disability. Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the financial requirement. NSFAS states an undergraduate loan band of R350 000 to R600 000.
- IDC (2027 intake): parents’ combined household income of up to R350 000 a year. Households earning R350 000 to R600 000 may be considered after an affordability assessment.
Other funders set their own thresholds, and some do not test income at all, so check the funder’s page.
Credit and Financial Requirements
None of the funder pages used here describe a credit check for a bursary. The financial test they describe is household income, and some add academic minimums. For example, the IDC asks matriculants for at least 75% APS and tertiary applicants for a 65% average, and expects a 60% GPA to be maintained.
Bursary packages differ. The IDC covers tuition, accommodation, a once-off laptop and meal and transport allowances. The Compensation Fund bursary covers tuition, study material, a monthly stipend and accommodation. Read the terms of any offer, including any conditions that apply after you qualify, before you accept it.
Documents and Verification Required
The StudyTrust bursary applications page lists what most applicants need:
- A certified copy of your South African ID
- Your latest academic record
- Proof of your parents’ or guardians’ income where applicable, such as payslips, an affidavit, a SASSA letter or a death certificate
- A photograph
Other funders add to this list. The IDC, for instance, requires certified copies that are not older than three months. Check the document list on the funder’s own page.
How to Apply and Improve Approval Readiness
Apply through the funder’s own channel and never pay anyone to apply for you. With StudyTrust you submit one application and are considered for all of its bursaries you qualify for. The StudyTrust bursary applications page says most of those bursaries close on 30 September, with some differing.
Closing dates vary by funder. The IDC’s 2027 window ran from 1 June to 30 September 2026 and has closed, so check its page for the next cycle. The Compensation Fund bursary is open all year.
- Check the funder’s criteria before you apply, especially age limits and funded fields
- Get your documents certified and keep results and income proof ready
- Apply to more than one funder where the rules allow it
- Apply early in the funder’s window
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a bursary?
Typically a certified ID, your latest academic results, proof of your parents’ or guardians’ income and proof of acceptance or registration. Funders add their own criteria, such as field of study or an age limit (26 for the IDC, under 30 for first-time Funza Lushaka applicants).
Who qualifies for a bursary?
It depends on the funder. NSFAS funds citizens and permanent residents at public universities and TVET colleges with household income of R350 000 or less (R600 000 for a person with a disability) or a verified SASSA grant. The IDC funds unemployed citizens up to age 26 in listed fields. Funza Lushaka funds future teachers under 30.
Can I apply for one bursary or many?
StudyTrust considers one application against all its bursaries you qualify for. Other funders have their own applications, so check each funder’s rules.
Do bursaries cover accommodation and allowances?
Some do. The IDC covers tuition, accommodation, a once-off laptop and meal and transport allowances, while the Compensation Fund covers tuition, study material, a monthly stipend and accommodation. Other funders differ, so check their terms.
Confirm criteria and closing dates with the funder before you apply. See loan requirements and browse all finance and funding requirements.