The FASSET bursary is funded by FASSET, the Sector Education and Training Authority for the finance and accounting services sector. It is not one bursary but four schemes, each with its own requirements: bursaries for unemployed university students, for unemployed TVET college students, for TVET college lecturers and for people employed in the FASSET sector.
For university students, the core FASSET bursary requirements are to study a FASSET-related, actuarial science or IT qualification at a public university or university of technology, and to meet the academic and household income criteria in the advert for that funding window. The university window currently listed on FASSET’s downloads page, a special window for the 2026 academic year, asked for a matric average of at least 75% and a combined household income of no more than R1 000 000 a year.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
FASSET’s bursaries page sets out who each scheme is for:
- University unemployed learners: students at public universities or universities of technology studying FASSET-related qualifications, actuarial science or IT-related qualifications. Capped at R100 000.
- TVET college unemployed learners: students at public TVET colleges on business-stream qualifications, including IT. Capped at R40 000.
- TVET college lecturers: lecturers employed at public TVET colleges who teach business-stream subjects, including IT, studying a FASSET-related or education qualification at a public institution. Capped at R40 000.
- Employed bursaries: employees in the FASSET sector studying a qualification on FASSET’s top 10 scarce and critical skills list at a public institution. Capped at R50 000.
FASSET says each cap may change every financial year depending on its budget. The detailed criteria for a specific intake are in the advert for that window. For the 2026 special matric top achiever window, applicants had to:
- Have passed matric in 2025 with an average of at least 75%
- Come from a combined household income of no more than R1 000 000 a year
- Be registered or accepted at a public university or university of technology
- Study in Economic and Management Sciences, Auditing and Taxation, Accounting Sciences, an IT-related field or Actuarial Sciences
Income and Affordability Requirements
The unemployed learner bursaries are aimed at students whose families cannot fully fund their studies, so household income is a qualifying test. In the 2026 university window the ceiling was a combined household income of R1 000 000 a year.
For the TVET college bursary, FASSET says the combined household income threshold is considered and may change each financial year. It does not publish a fixed figure on its bursaries page, so check the advert for the window you are applying in.
The employed and lecturer bursaries depend on your job rather than your family’s income. You must work for an organisation in the FASSET sector, or lecture at a public TVET college, and the qualification must match FASSET’s priority skills.
Credit and Financial Requirements
There is no credit check. The financial questions are what the bursary pays for and how long it lasts:
- University and TVET learner bursaries cover tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and learner allowances. FASSET says beneficiaries may also qualify for a laptop.
- Employed bursaries fund one year at a time. You can reapply each year to continue your studies.
- Lecturer bursaries also fund one year at a time, with the option to reapply each year.
Learner bursaries can run until you complete your qualification, but only if you keep meeting the terms and conditions for continued funding. Read your bursary agreement before you sign it, because it sets the academic standard you must maintain and any obligations that come with the money.
If your costs are higher than the cap, the bursary will not cover the difference. Plan how you will pay the rest before registration, for example with an institutional bursary or family support.
Documents and Verification Required
FASSET takes student applications on its online bursary portal, and the advert for each window sets out exactly what to upload. Have evidence ready for every criterion you will be assessed on:
- Your identity document
- Your matric results or latest academic record, showing the average the advert asks for
- Proof that you are registered or accepted at a public university, university of technology or TVET college
- Proof of combined household income, for the unemployed learner bursaries
- Proof of employment with an organisation in the FASSET sector or at a public TVET college, for the employed and lecturer bursaries
If the advert asks for certified copies, certify them before you start the online application so that the window does not close while you are waiting.
How to Apply and Improve Approval Readiness
- Check which of the four schemes fits you: unemployed university student, unemployed TVET student, TVET lecturer or employee in the sector.
- Watch the notices on fasset.org.za and its downloads page, where windows and adverts are published.
- Register a free account on the FASSET bursary portal.
- Complete the application and upload your documents before the closing date and time in the advert.
- Follow your application on the portal, which lets you track its progress.
Windows do not follow a fixed calendar. The 2026 special matric top achiever window closed at 23:59 on 28 February 2026, and FASSET told applicants to treat their application as unsuccessful if they had no feedback by 15 March 2026. Applications for the 2027 Employed Bursary closed on 17 August 2026. Apply well before the closing date and time in the advert.
To strengthen your application, choose a qualification that clearly falls in FASSET’s fields, keep your average above the advertised minimum, and apply only through FASSET’s own portal rather than through third-party bursary sites or anyone who asks you for money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the FASSET bursary 2026 requirements?
For the 2026 special matric top achiever window: a 2025 matric average of at least 75%, a combined household income of no more than R1 000 000 a year, and registration or acceptance at a public university or university of technology in a FASSET-related, IT or actuarial field. It closed on 28 February 2026.
Is the FASSET bursary open now?
Check the notices on fasset.org.za. FASSET opens windows at different times for each scheme, and each one has its own closing date.
How much does the FASSET bursary pay?
Up to R100 000 for university learners, R40 000 for TVET college learners and lecturers, and R50 000 for employed learners. FASSET says the caps may change each financial year depending on its budget.
Does FASSET fund TVET college students?
Yes. The TVET college bursary is for unemployed students at public TVET colleges on business-stream qualifications, including IT, and covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation and allowances up to the cap.
Can I get a FASSET bursary if I am already working?
Yes, through the Employed Bursary, if you work in the FASSET sector and study one of its top 10 scarce and critical skills at a public institution. It covers one year at a time, and you can reapply each year.
Does FASSET fund private college students?
Its bursaries page only describes funding for public universities, universities of technology, TVET colleges and other public institutions. Confirm with FASSET before applying if you study privately.
FASSET sets the criteria, caps and closing dates for each window and can change them every financial year. Confirm the current advert on FASSET’s website before you apply. See loan requirements if you need to fund the balance of your studies, and browse all finance and funding requirements.