The Free State Office of the Premier is offering bursaries to support young people from Free State province who want to study in high-demand and scarce-skills fields. This bursary is part of the provincial government's plan to grow skills, create opportunities and prepare young professionals who will help improve services and strengthen the economy of the Free State and South Africa.
Field of Study Supported
The bursary supports both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in priority fields, including:
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Community Development
- Bachelor of Dietetics
- Bachelor of Radiography
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Nuclear Medicine
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Data Science \ Data Analytics \ Financial Analytics \ Investment Management \ Business Analytics
- Bachelor in Radiography \ Radiation Therapy
- MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine)
- Bachelor of Economics \ Econometrics \ Development Studies
- Bachelor of Human Resources Management and Psychology \ Human Resource Analytics
- Bachelor of Education (Accounting \ Natural Sciences \ Mathematics \ Early Childhood Development)
- Bachelor of Risk Management \ Fraud Investigation (Forensic Auditor) \ Internal Auditing
- Bachelor of Construction Management \ Quantity Survey \ Construction Project Management
- Bachelor in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Bachelor \ Honours of Psychology
- Bachelor \ Honours of Acturial Science
- Diploma \ Advanced Diploma in Somatology
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Agriculture \ Veterinary Science \ Soil Science \ Pasteur Science
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security \ Information Security \ Software or Networks Systems \ Technique of Artificial Intelligence \ Information Resources Management \ Robotics)
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Town & Regional Planner \ Property Valuation \ Land & Property Administrator \ GCIS Professional \ Occupational Health & Safety \ Build Environment
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Publicity & Marketing \ General Arts Management or Fine Arts \ Social Studies
- Diploma \ Bachelor in Emergency Medical Care
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Supply Chain Management \ Finance
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Engineering (Civil\ Mechanical\ Electrical\ Mining\ Nuclear\ Architectural\ Aerospace\ Mechatronics\ Structural\ Quantity Surveyor\ Agricultural)
- Diploma \ Bachelor of Disaster Management
- Maters in Clinical Psychology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychometry
What the bursary covers
The bursary may cover:
- Registration and tuition fees
- Residence and meals
- Prescribed books and study material
- Special equipment needed for your course
- Assistive devices for students with disabilities
Selection Process
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within four months after the closing date.
- If no response is received within this period, the application should be considered unsuccessful.
Who can Apply?
You may apply if:
- You are a South African citizen
- You live in Free State
- You are 18-35 years old
- Your household income is below R600 000 per year
- You are accepted or planning to study full-time in one of the listed fields
- You are not funded by another bursary
- You are studying at a recognised public institution
- Students with disability are encouraged to apply
- Preference will be given to financially needy students with strong academic record
How to Apply
- Complete the Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application form: Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)
- Application forms can also be collected from:
- Office of the Premier (FSTDI & OR Tambo Building)
- Thusong Centres
- Central University of Technology
- University of Free State
Required Documents
Applicants must submit certified copies of:
- South African ID document
- Latest Matric results (for current Matric learners) or Matric certificate
- Proof of acceptance at a registered Higher Education Institution
- Proof of residence (not older than 3 months)
- Parents or guardians ID documents ( or death certificate where applicable)
- Proof of household income:
- Recent payslips (if employed)
- Affidavit (if unemployed)
- Proof of SASSA grant or pension where applicable
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Submission method
Applications must be hand-delivered to:
FSTDI - Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive
Westdene, Bloemfontein
9301
(Bursary Unit at Reception)
Closing Date
16 January 2026 at 16:00
Late applications will not be accepted.
Contact Details
Free State Office of the Premier - Bursary Section
bursariesfs@fspremier.gov.za
Mr ME Makhetha - 065 742 5934
Ms NB Thekiso - 060 533 4702
Ms MC Motaung - 065 742 6737
Office hours: 07:30 - 16:00
BurzaresNet wish you luck on your application and please share the bursary to your family or friends who might need it and visit our website for more bursary opportunities.