Choosing to study teaching involves more than securing a place at university. Students must also consider tuition costs, accommodation, learning materials and the financial demands of completing a teaching qualification. For eligible South African students who want to enter the profession, the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme offers a funding route linked to teaching in public schools.
Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 1 October 2026. According to the official Funza Lushaka portal, new applicants have until 31 January 2027 to submit their applications, while existing bursary recipients must reapply by 30 November 2026.
However, receiving this bursary comes with responsibilities that applicants should understand before committing to a teaching qualification. Funding is intended to develop teachers in identified priority subject areas, and successful recipients must fulfil a teaching-service obligation after qualifying.
Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027: Important dates and details
Here are the key details prospective applicants should know before beginning the application process.
- Bursary: Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
- Academic year: 2027
- Application opening date: 1 October 2026
- Closing date for new applicants: 31 January 2027
- Closing date for returning bursars: 30 November 2026
- Purpose: Financial support for eligible initial teacher education students
- Study destination: An eligible public higher education institution
- Application portal: Official Funza Lushaka website
- Online application system: South African e-Government Services
These are two separate deadlines. If you have never received a Funza Lushaka bursary, the new-applicant deadline applies to you. If you already receive the bursary and want funding for another academic year, you must follow the returning-bursar process instead.
Applicants should also remember that university admission and bursary approval are separate matters. Being accepted to study does not automatically mean that Funza Lushaka will fund your studies.
What does the Funza Lushaka Bursary cover?
The programme supports eligible students pursuing approved teaching qualifications in areas identified as priorities for South Africa’s education system.
According to the Department of Basic Education, funding may cover essential study-related expenses such as:
- University tuition fees.
- Accommodation, subject to the institution’s arrangements and applicable funding limits.
- Meals.
- Books and other learning materials.
- Certain personal or living expenses where funding permits.
- Support for teaching practice where covered under the applicable arrangements.
The precise value of the bursary is not identical at every university. Institutions have different cost structures, and the programme applies funding limits. If the approved allocation does not cover every expense, a student may have to pay the difference.
For this reason, prospective bursars should not assume that the programme guarantees unlimited funding for every cost associated with university life. Contact the financial aid office at your chosen institution to establish how accommodation, meals, registration and other expenses are handled.
The programme is also not simply an unrestricted cash award. Its purpose is to help eligible students obtain teaching qualifications in priority areas and enter the public-school teaching profession.
Who can apply for Funza Lushaka funding?
The programme is intended for academically capable South Africans who want to pursue a teaching career.
The official programme information identifies potential applicants including learners currently in Grade 12, graduates below the age of 30 who want to qualify as teachers, people changing careers and unemployed people who wish to enter teaching.
However, being in one of these groups does not automatically make an applicant eligible.
Applicants must meet the programme’s academic and qualification requirements, including admission to an approved teaching qualification at an eligible public university. The official selection criteria also require South African citizenship and a valid South African identity document.
First-time applicants must be 30 years old or younger, according to the programme portal.
Before applying, confirm the current requirements in the official 2027 application information. Do not rely on an old social media post or assume that the rules for another academic year remain unchanged.
Which teaching qualifications are supported?
The programme’s main qualification route is the Bachelor of Education (BEd). The official guidance also identifies certain postgraduate teaching qualifications, subject to the applicable rules for the academic year.
Applicants considering a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) should be particularly careful. The programme’s published 2026 application notes specified that the PGCE was not funded for that year. Applicants seeking 2027 funding must verify the current year’s rules rather than assuming that the previous arrangement has changed.
The qualification must also align with the programme’s approved subject priorities. Admission to a teaching course alone does not guarantee that the chosen specialisation will qualify for funding.
Why do priority teaching subjects matter?
Funza Lushaka is designed to help address teacher demand in areas identified as important to the education system. As a result, the subjects a student intends to teach can affect their eligibility and selection prospects.
The official programme guidance identifies priority areas across different school phases.
For the Foundation Phase, the programme highlights Foundation Phase teaching, with preference for South African Indigenous Languages, as well as specialised areas such as Neurodevelopment Needs, Braille and South African Sign Language.
For the Intermediate and Senior Phases, priority combinations include teaching majors in areas such as languages, mathematics, and natural science and technology.
For the Further Education and Training phase, identified subjects include mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, geography, accounting, information technology, technical subjects and languages, among others.
The precise priority areas and selection arrangements can vary according to the programme’s current requirements. Applicants should consult the official priority-subject information and discuss their proposed specialisation with the university’s Faculty or School of Education.
This step matters because a student may meet the general academic admission requirements but still choose a specialisation that does not satisfy the bursary’s funding criteria.
How to apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027
Applications are completed online through the official government e-services system.
Step 1: Apply for admission to a public university
Identify an eligible public university offering the teaching qualification you intend to pursue. Check the institution’s admission requirements and application dates separately from the bursary deadline.
Step 2: Register on the e-Government Services portal
Visit www.eservices.gov.za and register using your personal information. Keep your login details secure so that you can return to your application.
Step 3: Select the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme
After logging in, locate the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme in the available services menu.
Step 4: Complete the required verification
Follow the portal’s instructions, including the one-time PIN verification where requested, and accept the relevant terms and conditions.
Step 5: Choose the 2027 application
The official instructions direct applicants to select the application for the relevant academic year. Make sure you are completing the 2027 application rather than an older form.
Step 6: Enter your information carefully
Complete the required fields and check that your details are accurate. Review your proposed qualification and subject specialisation against the programme’s requirements.
Step 7: Submit the declaration
Read the declaration and confirm that the information supplied is correct before submitting the application.
Keep a record of your submission and any confirmation provided by the system. Check the official portal for updates and respond to legitimate requests for additional information.
Completing the online form does not guarantee selection. Bursaries are limited, and applicants must meet the applicable selection criteria.
The teaching obligation applicants must understand
One of the most important conditions of the Funza Lushaka Bursary is the service obligation.
Recipients are required to teach at a public school for the same number of years for which they received bursary funding. For example, a student who receives the bursary for three years would generally be required to complete three years of teaching service under the programme’s conditions.
Successful recipients should therefore consider whether they genuinely want to pursue teaching as a career. The bursary is not designed as funding that can be accepted without regard to the recipient’s plans after graduation.
The programme’s official guidance also explains that recipients must follow the required processes to seek and take up qualifying teaching employment. Failure to meet the contractual obligations may result in the bursary amount becoming repayable, potentially with interest.
Read the bursary agreement carefully before signing it. If any condition is unclear, seek clarification from the relevant university financial aid office or programme officials.
What should applicants do before the deadline?
A strong application begins with checking eligibility rather than rushing to complete an online form.
First, establish whether your intended qualification and teaching specialisation meet the current requirements. Second, confirm that you have applied for admission to an eligible public university. Third, check which supporting documents are required and make sure your personal information is consistent across your application.
It is also sensible to investigate the costs that may not be fully covered by the bursary. Understanding possible shortfalls in accommodation, transport, registration or living expenses can help you plan more realistically.
Finally, submit your application before the applicable closing date. The official programme guidance states that late applications are not considered, so applicants should not rely on receiving an extension.
Where to get official assistance
For the latest dates, application instructions, eligibility rules and priority-subject information, use the Funza Lushaka Bursary portal and the Department of Basic Education’s Funza Lushaka information page.
The Department of Basic Education lists the programme contact number as 012 357 3000 and the email address as inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za. Check the official website for current contact details before making an enquiry.
Avoid anyone who asks you to pay them to secure a bursary or guarantee selection. Use official government channels for application information and never share your portal password or one-time PIN with another person.
A final consideration before applying
The Funza Lushaka Bursary can make an approved teaching qualification more financially accessible, but it is also a commitment to a professional career in public education.
For the 2027 academic year, new applications close on 31 January 2027, while returning bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026. The most useful first step is to confirm your qualification, subject specialisation and university admission before completing the online process.
Read the latest official conditions carefully, plan for any costs that may remain your responsibility, and make sure you understand the teaching-service obligation. That preparation can help you decide whether Funza Lushaka is the right funding route for your studies.