Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026

 Your pathway into a funded teaching career.

If you want to become a teacher in 2026 but dont have the money to study, the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme could be your solution. This government bursary is designed to train future teachers and fully support their studies.

Funza Lushaka is a teaching bursary that pays for your studiesif you commit to becoming a teacher in a public school. The programme focuses on producing qualified teachers for South Africa's schools, especially in priority subjects and phases.

Qualifications Funded 

For the 2026 academic year, Funza Lushaka will fund undergraduate teaching qualifications only, including:

• Bachelor of Education (Bed) degrees specialising in:
• Foundation Phase (Grade R-3)
• Intermediate Phase (Grade 4-6)
• Senior Phase & FET (Grade 7-12)
• Bachelor of education in Early Childhood Care and Education (Bed ECCE) 
• (Teaching Grade RR and R)

Important: Not all teaching degrees or subjects qualify. For example, subjects considered oversupplied (such as Geography, History, Economics, Physical Education) are usually excluded from funding. Also PGCE will not be funded in 2026.

What the bursary covers

Funza Lushaka provides comprehensive financial support, which may include:

• Full tuition fees
• Accomodation and meals
• A monthly living allowance
• Learning materials (such as textbooks)

Please note that funding is capped. If your institution charges above the approved limit, you will need to cover the difference.

Who Can Apply?

You may qualify if you meet any of the following general criteria:

• You are South African citizen with a valid ID
• You achieved strong results in Grade 12
• You are under 30, unemployed and passionate about teaching
• You are willing to be placed at any publicscholl by a provincial Education Department

Academic Requirements 

For First-Year Applicants

You must have:

• A Bachelor's degree pass in Matric
• At least Level 4 in two subjects you plan to teach
• Phase specific requirements
• Foundation Phase:
• - Level 2 Mathematics OR
• - Level 4 Mathematics Literacy
• - Level 4 Home Language
• Intermediate Phase
• - Level 4 Mathematics
• - Level 4 Home Language and\or Science
• CAT \ IT \ Technical subjects
• - Level 4 Mathematics or Technical Mathematics

If your university requires higher marks, the higher requirement applies.

For students Already at University

You must:

• Have passed all modules in the previous academic year
• Achieve a minimum overall average of 55%
• Have at least 66.6% average in yo major subjects, linked to your teaching specialisation.

Meeting the requirements does not guarantee funding. Selection is competitive and based on academic performance.

Teaching Commitment (Service Contract)

Funza Lushaka is not repaid in cash, but through service:

• You must teach at a public school for the same number of years you received funding.
• If you fail to complete this service, you will need to repay the bursary, minus any years already served (plus interest as per NSFAS rule)

How to apply for Funza Lushaka 2026

1. Open the e-Gov portal at www.eservices.gov.za
2. Register by providing personal information
3. Login to the system using user name and password created when registering
4. On the e-Services Menu select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme
5. Enter the OTP received on the preferred channel
6. Accept the Terms and Conditions
7. On the dashboard menu click on the 2026 application button
8. Follow the steps to complete the required field with your information
9. Accept the declaration to confirm the information captured

You must already have a student number and be accepted or provisionally accepted at a university.

Supporting Documents Required 

After completing the online application, submit the following to your university's Funza Lushaka office:

• Printed copy of your online application
• Certified copy of your South African ID
• Certified Matric certificate
• Academic records (if already studying)
• Latst academic transcript (current students)

incomplete or late submission will not be considered.

Closing Date (NEW STUDENTS\APPLICANTS)

24 January 2026

Contact details 

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact your University Funza Lushaka academic and administrative co-ordinators directly (do NOT contact the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training or NSFAS for queries regarding the bursary, please also do not come in person to the DBE).

Before you make an enquiry, please read the Funza Lushaka Bursary FAQ’s.

Alternatively, you may contact the Department of Basic Education here:
Tel: 012 357 3000
Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za
 Please do NOT contact the Department of Basic Education if this bursary has already closed.

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