Free State Provincial Government Full-Time Bursary

• Prescribed registration fee per semester or year.
• Prescribed registered modules per year (each module paid once only).
• Prescribed residence and meal fees as recommended by the HEI.
• Books and study materials.
• Special equipment needed for the registered field, paid separately on a request from the bursary holder recommended by the HEI, each request judged on merit.
• Special equipment for bursary holders with disabilities, paid on request recommended by the HEI's disability office.
• Awarded for the minimum prescribed or minimum remaining duration of the course; the form asks how many years of funding are needed.
• A change of course from the one the bursary was allocated for is not approved, except where the skill required is covered by major modules of the new course and prior approval is obtained.

The 2026 academic-year call closed on 16 January 2026 at 16:00. Late applications are not accepted; postal applications must be received before the closing date. Applicants who hear nothing from the Bursary Section within four months after the closing date should treat the application as unsuccessful.

1. Get the 2026 application form from the Office of the Premier (FSTDI and OR Tambo Building), Thusong Centres, the Free State Provincial Government Facebook page, or Central University of Technology and University of the Free State; it is also at the official application form (see the bursaries page).
2. Pick one study field from the list of scarce and critical skills on page 2 of the form.
3. Print and complete the form, marking blocks with an X, and fill in the checklist on page 6.
4. Gather certified copies and supporting documents, and write a request letter.
5. Hand deliver to the Bursary unit reception, FSTDI Brahman Building, 124 Nelson Mandela Drive, Westdene, Bloemfontein 9301, or at a Thusong Centre, or post to Free State Office of the Premier, Bursary Section, P.O. Box 517, Bloemfontein 9300.
6. Enquiries: [email protected], office hours 07:30-16:00 (Mr ME Makhetha 065 742 5935, Ms NB Thekiso 060 533 4702, Ms MC Motaung 065 742 6737).

• Request letter and the completed application form with checklist.
• Certified copy of the applicant's South African ID.
• Certified copies of the IDs of both parents or guardians, or proof of guardianship; for orphans, certified death certificates plus an affidavit or SASSA proof.
• Salary advice or income affidavit for both parents or guardians, not older than three months; if unemployed, proof of unemployment (6 months bank statements, affidavit and SARS ITR12); self-employed parents need certified business registration, CIPC report and a valid tax clearance certificate. SASSA or SARS ITR12 documents also count as household earnings proof.
• Certified matric results (Grade 12 June or September results for current learners) or Grade 12 certificate, and the latest transcript if already studying.
• Proof of residence (municipal or clothing account, with an affidavit if in a parent's name), not older than three months.
• Acceptance letter from the HEI.
• Proof of orphan status or disability where applicable.
• Proof that you have no other sponsor (NSFAS status or affidavit).

Awards follow the criteria above: citizenship, Free State residence, household earnings below R600 000, no other sponsorship, and acceptance into a listed scarce-skills field. Financially needy applicants with good academic performance are prioritised. Incomplete applications are disqualified, and due diligence is conducted on each application, so false information leads to disqualification.