BANKSETA Higher Education Bursaries for Unemployed Learners (via Public Universities)

• Cap of R120,000 per learner per year.
• Tuition: R50,000.
• Study material: R10,000.
• Accommodation: R45,000.
• Living and meal allowances: R15,000.
• Available budget is allocated equitably among all qualifying applicants.

The 2026 funding window closed on 24 December 2025 at 16:00. A compulsory Microsoft Teams briefing for institutions was held on 24 November 2025, with the link shared by 13 November 2025. BANKSETA funding windows stay open for at least six weeks and no late applications are accepted.

1. The institution attends the compulsory Microsoft Teams briefing session.
2. It registers and applies online on the BANKSETA SIMS platform, sims.bankseta.org.za.
3. It completes and signs the application form in full and uploads it to the online system; a separate application is required for each funding category.
4. It submits by 24 December 2025, 16:00.
5. Students should ask their own university's funding or bursary office whether it is applying for the BANKSETA Higher Education window.

• Application form, fully completed and duly signed, uploaded to SIMS.
• For payment after approval: proof of banking details and Central Supplier Database registration.

An evaluation panel appointed by the BANKSETA CEO reviews applications, with panel members signing a declaration of interest. Funding is approved to ensure equitable allocation, by limiting the number of learners and the amount approved per application. The evaluation documentation goes through a Probity Review, CEO review, and recommendation by the Finance and Remuneration Committee, with final approval by the BANKSETA Board (or the CEO under delegated authority). Feedback is given to every applicant that applied before the deadline, and an unsuccessful applicant may appeal in writing within one month of the outcome.