If you are talking about the Funza Lushaka Bursary I believe the Funza Lushaka Bursary is an African government bursary made to help students learn how to become teachers. The Funza Lushaka Bursary is run by the Department of Basic Education and the money, for the Funza Lushaka Bursary is sent through NSFAS.
About The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
Sure. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is an African government programme that provides financial support to students who want to become teachers in public schools.
Funza Lushaka is aimed at increasing the number of teachers in South Africa particularly in subjects and areas where teachers are needed. Students generally study a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and after qualifying are expected to teach in a public school.
It can provide funding for things such as:
– University tuition
– Accommodation
– Meals
– Learning materials/books
– A living allowance
– Transport, where applicable
The amount and components can vary depending on the students circumstances and the universitys approved costs.
Typical requirements include:
– You must be an African citizen.
– You must be. Enrolled at an approved university for an eligible teaching qualification.
– New applicants generally need to be under 30 years old.
– You need to meet the requirements.
– Your chosen teaching subjects should generally fall within areas where teachers are needed.
– You must be willing to teach in a school after graduating.
Funza Lushaka is a service-linked bursary. If you receive funding you normally have to work as a teacher in a school for a period equivalent to the number of years you received the bursary.
For example if you receive funding for 4 years you would generally be expected to provide 4 years of teaching service.
So it’s important to understand the service agreement before accepting the bursary.
If you want I can explain the Funza Lushaka requirements, qualifying subjects, how much it pays and how to apply for 2027 step, by step.
What Does The Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is meant to help pay for most of the costs of studying to be a teacher at a public higher-education institution.
It can help with:
Tuition fees
Accommodation, including meals
Books and learning materials
Teaching practice costs. Help
A small monthly living allowance if money is available.
Depending on your university and your situation, transport or other living costs might also be covered.
Important: there is a limit on how much money’s available
The bursary is not a never-ending amount. Each university has costs and Funza Lushaka has a top amount it can give. If your university costs more than what’s covered you might have to pay the extra yourself.
Also Funza Lushaka is not a bursary with no rules: after you finish your studies you usually have to teach at a public school for one year for every year you got the bursary.
If you tell me which university you want to go to (, like TUT, UP UNISA, UJ) and if you are doing BEd or PGCE I can tell you what Funza Lushaka would probably cover for you.
Who Can Apply For The Funza Lushaka Bursary
Yes. The Funza Lushaka Bursary is mainly for African students who want to become teachers in areas where teachers are needed.
Who can apply?
You generally need to:
Be an African citizen with a valid South African ID. Foreign students and temporary-resident permit holders are not eligible.
Be 30 years old or younger when applying for the time.
Be a Grade 12 learner or a graduate or young person under 30 who wants to become a teacher.
Be accepted into an approved BEd or PGCE programme at an university.
Study in priority teaching subjects identified by the Department of Basic Education such as Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, languages and several technical subjects.
Have academic ability and meet the universitys admission requirements.
Show a commitment to becoming a teacher and be willing to teach at a public school where the provincial education department places you after qualifying.
If you’re still in Grade 12 you can apply. First-year students are eligible provided you meet the other selection requirements.
One important thing: being eligible doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive the bursary. Selection depends on the programme/subject priorities, your academic performance, available funding and the selection process, at the university.
If you tell me your Grade 12 subjects and marks (or your current course/year) I can check whether you personally qualify for Funza Lushaka and which teaching degree you could apply for.
Further Education And Training Phase Priority Subjects May Include:
For the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase, Funza Lushaka priority teaching subjects may include:
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Accounting
Economics
Business Studies
Agricultural Sciences
Information Technology
Computer Applications Technology (CAT)
Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD)
Technical Mathematics
Technical Sciences
Civil Technology
Electrical Technology
Mechanical Technology
Hospitality Studies
Tourism
Geography
History
Languages
The exact priority subjects may change each year. If you are applying for the 2026 academic year I can check the official current list and tell you whether your specific subject combination qualifies. Mathematics is one of the subjects that may be included. Physical Sciences is another subject that may be included. Life Sciences is also one of the subjects that may be included. Accounting is one of the subjects that may be included. Economics is one of the subjects that may be included. Business Studies is one of the subjects that may be included. Agricultural Sciences is one of the subjects that may be included. Information Technology is one of the subjects that may be included. Computer Applications Technology (CAT) is one of the subjects that may be included. Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) is one of the subjects that may be included. Technical Mathematics is one of the subjects that may be included. Technical Sciences is one of the subjects that may be included. Civil Technology is one of the subjects that may be included. Electrical Technology is one of the subjects that may be included. Mechanical Technology is one of the subjects that may be included. Hospitality Studies is one of the subjects that may be included. Tourism is one of the subjects that may be included. Geography is one of the subjects that may be included. History is one of the subjects that may be included. Languages is one of the subjects that may be included. The exact priority subjects may change each year. If you are applying for the 2026 academic year I can check the official current list and tell you whether your specific subject combination qualifies.
How To Apply For The Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027
Yes. Applications for the 2027 Funza Lushaka Bursary are now open. The official Funza Lushaka website says applications opened on 1 October 2026. New applications close on 31 January 2027 while returning bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026.
How to apply for 2027
Go to the e-Gov portal.
Register if you don’t already have a -Gov account.
Log in using the username and password you created.
Select “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme” from the e-Services menu.
Enter the OTP sent to your contact method.
Accept the Terms and Conditions.
On your dashboard select the 2027 application.
Complete all the information, including your university, qualification and teaching priority subjects.
Accept the declaration. Submit the application.
Before you apply
You should first apply for admission to a public university for a teaching qualification. Funza Lushaka funds BEd programmes and PGCE programmes in Senior Phase/FET teaching to the priority-area requirements.
Also first-time applicants must be 30 years old or younger.
You’ll need to make sure the information you enter is accurate your priority teaching subjects because these need to match the subjects you intend to specialise in
Important: submitting an application does not guarantee that you’ll receive the bursary.
If you tell me your Grade 12 subjects and your marks I can check which BEd/FET teaching subjects you could choose for Funza Lushaka 2027 and walk you through the application step-, by-step.