merSETA Bursaries for Unemployed Learners (2026/27 Discretionary Grants)

• Full bursary at a higher education institution: maximum of R180 000.
• Partial bursary at a higher education institution, and full bursary at a TVET college: maximum of R100 000.
• Covers items such as tuition fees, textbooks, laptop and student accommodation, paid at actual cost as per invoice and capped at the bursary value.
• Subject to annual budget availability.

Applications are verified, evaluated and approved within 90 days.

1. Watch the merSETA funding window notices on the merSETA levies and grants page for the bursary call.
2. Learners apply to the bursary managing entity or institution that is funded under the window, which selects students through the means test.
3. Organisations seeking bursary funds submit applications through the National Skills Development Management System (NSDMS), unless the notice states otherwise, and complete a declaration of conflict of interest.
4. Applications that do not follow the notice are disqualified.

• Proof of household income for the means test (as required by the managing entity).
• For applicant organisations: proof of legal registration, valid tax clearance or proof of request, B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit where applicable, signed and verified banking details, and a conflict of interest declaration.

Students are selected by the managing entity through a means test based on family or household combined annual income. Organisations are assessed on strategic alignment with the Sector Skills Plan and national priorities, capacity and (for repeat applicants) past performance, and approval is discretionary and may result in reduced or conditional allocations.