Free State Government: Bursary / Scholarship Programme 2026

Free State Government: Bursary / Scholarship Programme 2026

• Posted 16 minutes ago

Closing Date: 16 January 2026

The Office of the Premier is calling on the interested and deserving unemployed youth (18–35) in the Free State Province looking to pursue a qualification at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) for the 2026 academic year. Applications are opened for current Grade 12 Learners and students who are already accepted/ enrolled at a Higher Education Institution.

Selection Criteria

The bursaries will be awarded as per the following criteria and description:-

• Must be a South African Citizen;
• Must be a Free State Resident;
• Total Household earnings should be below R600 000 per annum (must
  provide proof);
• Must not be in possession of another sponsorship (No Double Dipping),
  proof must be provided (E.g. NSFAS status or Affidavit);
• Must be accepted by the recognized Higher Education Institution (HEI) to
  study in the following fields that are identified as a shortage/ critical and or
  scarce within the province; : refer to page 2 of the bursary application form
• Currently enrolled students should submit most recent statement of results
  / academic record / transcript

Financially needy applicants performing academically well will be prioritized.
Application forms are available from the following offices:

• Office of the Premier (FSTDI and OR Tambo Building) Thusong Centres
• Free State Provincial Government Facebook Page
• Central University of Technology and University of the Free State
  
• The Free State Provincial Government reserves the right to determine the total
  number of bursary allocations for the academic year based on the total budget
  available.

Applicants are advised to ensure that they have the following documents when submitting an application:

• Request Letter;
• Application form ( Checklist on page 6 must be fully completed )
• Certified copy of ID of applicant, both parents/proof of guardianship (in cases where the applicant is an orphan, certified death certificates must be attached and an affidavit or proof from SASSA)
• Certified copy of matric results (for current Grade 12 learners, September results must be attached);
• Proof of Residence;
• Acceptance letter from HEI;
• Proof of household earnings (Salary Advice on an original letterhead / Affidavit and / or SARS ITR12 / SASSA), in the case of self-employed parents, certified copies of business registration, CIPC report and a valid Tax clearance certificate.

In cases where the student already has a sponsor, the application will be automatically disqualified.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply

NB: Applicants are cautioned against providing false information as due diligence will be conducted per application.

If you do not receive any response from the Bursary Section within four months after the closing date for applications, please consider your application as unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to provide individual feedback or reasons regarding the outcome of any bursary application.

If you do not receive any response from the Bursary unit within four months after the closing date for applications, please consider your application as unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to provide individual feedback or reasons regarding the outcome of any bursary application.

Late applications will not be accepted. If the documents are to be submitted by post please ensure that the application will be received before the closing date.

Submission: The listed required documents may be hand delivered at 124 Nelson Mandela Drive, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301, FSTDI Brahman Building, Bursary unit at the Reception area and Thusong centres.

Course

1. Bachelor of Community Development
2. Bachelor / Post Graduate Diploma / Honors of Accounting
3. Diploma / Bachelor of Supply Chain Management / Finance
4. Bachelor Dietetics
5. Bachelor Physiotherapy
6. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
7. Bachelor of Radiography
8. Bachelor of Pharmacy
9. Bachelor of Nursing
10. Diploma/ Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security/ Information Security/ Software or Network Systems/ Techniques of Artificial Intelligence/ Information Resource Management/ Robotics)
11. Bachelor of Data Science / Data Analytics / Financial Analytics / Investment Management / Business Analytics
12. Diploma / Advanced Diploma in Somatology
13. Bachelor in Radiography/ Radiation Therapy
14. Bachelor of Nuclear Medicine
15. Bachelor of Social Work
16. Masters in Clinical Psychology
17. Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychometry
18. Bachelor in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
19. Diploma / Bachelor in Emergency Medical Care
20. MB CHB (Bachelor of Medicine)
21. Bachelor / Honors of Psychology
22. Bachelor of Human Resource Management and Psychology/ Human Resource Analytics
23. Diploma / Bachelor of Engineering (Civil/ Mechanical/ Chemical/ Electrical/ Mining/ Nuclear/ Architectural/ Aerospace/ Mechatronics/ Structural / Quantity Surveyor/ Agricultural)
24. Bachelor of Economics/ Econometrics/ Developmental Studies
25. Bachelor of Construction Management / Quantity Survey/ Construction Project Management
26. Bachelor of Risk Management / Fraud Investigation (Forensic Auditor)/ Internal Auditing
27. Diploma / Bachelor of Disaster Management
28. Diploma / Bachelor of Town & Regional Planner / Property Valuation / Land & Property Administrator / GIS Professional / Occupational Health & Safety/ Build Environment
29. Diploma / Bachelor of Publicity & Marketing / General Arts Management or Fine Arts / Social Studies
30. Diploma / Bachelor of Agriculture/ Veterinary Science / Soil Science / Pasteur Science
31. Bachelor / Honors of Actuarial Science
32. Bachelor of Education (Accounting/ Natural Sciences/ Mathematics / Early Childhood Development)

How to Apply

Download Application Form