🎓 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.
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Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026: Application Guide & Requirements
Oct 2, 2025
May 15, 2026
5 min read
Published
Updated:
🎓 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.
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🎯 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.
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🖊️ How to Apply
Ensure you have a student number from your chosen university.
Apply online via:
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
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⚠️ 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.
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