SASSETA Unemployed Bursaries 2026/2027

SASSETA funds amounts per learner and per programme according to the limits in its Bursary Policy version 6 (2025/26) funding framework; that policy document could not be opened to extract the exact rand figures.

The 2026/2027 funding window opened on 14 December 2025 and closed at 23:59:59 on 30 January 2026. Applicants who receive no feedback within 90 days of the closing date may consider their application unsuccessful.

1. Open the SASSETA 2026-2027 unemployed bursary application page and download the advert, the Bursary Policy and the application form.
2. Check that your qualification appears on the National List of Occupations in High Demand or fits the LLB, Veterinary Science or STEM priority fields.
3. Complete the official application form exactly as provided; any form that is modified or tampered with is disqualified.
4. Compile all compulsory supporting documents and the completed form into a single email, keeping total attachments under 20MB and never password-protected or time-limited.
5. Email the full application to [email protected] before the closing date; hand-delivered, posted or couriered applications are not accepted.
6. Direct advert or process queries to [email protected] before the closing date.

• Certified copy of the applicant's ID (certification stamp no older than 6 months).
• Certified copy of matric statement of results or highest qualification (certification stamp no older than 6 months).
• Proof of acceptance or registration for 2026 at a public tertiary institution.
• Certified copy of a parent's or guardian's ID (certification stamp no older than 6 months).
• A sworn affidavit confirming total household income, all sources of income and employment status.

• A three-phase process is used: compliance checking, evaluation and adjudication; only compliant applications move on to evaluation.
• Incomplete applications (missing required documents) and late applications are disqualified without recourse.
• Preference goes to the "missing middle" (combined household income from R350,000.01 to R600,000 a year) and to poor households (up to R350,000 a year), as well as marginalised communities.
• There are a limited number of grant spaces, and SASSETA reserves the right to change the number awarded or to make no awards at all.
• Successful applicants must sign a Bursary Agreement with SASSETA and a sworn affidavit confirming they are unemployed and not covered by NSFAS or another bursary programme.