Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026: Application Guide & Requirements

🎓 Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026 – Complete Application Guide

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a South African government initiative to support aspiring teachers. It funds students who want to pursue a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or related teaching qualification in priority subjects to address the shortage of qualified teachers.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Criminal Record Clearance: Applicants must be cleared by SAPS (Police), DOJCS (Sexual Offenders Register), and DSD (Child Offenders Register). Those with offences <10 years old are not eligible.

• Age Limit: First-time applicants must be under 30 years old at the time of applying.

• Application Format: Only online applications are accepted. No hard copies.

Exclusions:

• Already qualified teachers cannot apply.

• Extended programmes (Higher Certificate, Honours, Master’s, PhD) are not funded.

• PGCE is not funded in 2026.

🚫 Subjects Not Funded

Funza Lushaka will not fund studies in:

• History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, EMS, Life Orientation, Physical Education.

• Religious Studies, Music, Dance, Art.

Instead, it focuses mainly on South African Indigenous Languages and Afrikaans in certain provinces, plus limited English.

🎯 Priority Qualifications

Undergraduate Studies

• B.Ed. in Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)

• B.Ed. Foundation Phase (Grades R–3)

• B.Ed. Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6)

• B.Ed. Senior/FET Phase (Grades 7–12)

Graduates entering teaching: PGCE is discouraged for Foundation/Intermediate Phases, but possible for Senior/FET if you have two content teaching subjects.

📊 Selection Criteria

• South African citizenship (with a valid ID).

• Strong academic performance (minimum pass requirements vary by phase).

• Must specialise in at least two priority subject areas.

• Commitment to teaching as a career.

• Service obligation: You must teach in a public school for every year you received funding.

📈 Academic Requirements (Highlights)

• Foundation Phase (B.Ed FP): Home Language 50%+, plus Math (30%+) or Math Literacy (50%+).

• Intermediate Phase (B.Ed IP): Math 40%+ or Math Literacy 60%+, plus Home Language 50%+.

• Senior/FET Phase (B.Ed): At least 50% in two priority subjects.

• Re-Applicants: Must maintain a 55% overall average and 66.5% in teaching subject modules.

🎁 What the Bursary Covers

• Tuition fees

• Accommodation & meals

• Books and study materials

• Teaching practice costs

• Small living allowance (depending on tuition cost)

⚠️ Note: The bursary is capped – if tuition costs exceed the cap, the student must cover the balance.

💰 Repayment Rules

If you drop out, change subjects, or fail to meet obligations, you must repay the bursary in full with interest.

🖊️ How to Apply

• Ensure you have a student number from your chosen university.

• Apply online via:

funzalushaka.doe.gov.za

eservices.gov.za

• Submit supporting documents to your university’s Funza Lushaka office.

• Applications must be submitted before the deadline.

📞 Contact Information

• Enquiries: Contact your university’s Funza Lushaka coordinators.

• Escalations:

• Phone: 012 357 3000

• Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za

⚠️ Key Notes

• Having applied does not guarantee bursary approval.

• Applicants cannot change institutions after submitting their forms.

• Communication is strictly through university coordinators (not NSFAS or DBE directly).

👉 This bursary is highly competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee funding – the best-performing students in priority subjects are selected.