Grade 12 / Matric Bursaries in South Africa 2026

If you're in matric and worried about how you'll pay for first-year studies, you're in exactly the right place. Bursaries for Grade 12 learners are designed to catch you at this turning point, often covering the costs that come with starting tertiary education: tuition, registration, accommodation, meals, books and sometimes a monthly allowance. Some are full-cost packages, and many are linked to a career path the funder wants to grow, which can come with the chance of a graduate post at the end. Because they're aimed at school-leavers heading into their first year, most are open to South African citizens currently writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC), with selection usually happening before or just after your final results come out.

Funding at this level comes from several places, and it's worth knowing the difference. NSFAS is the big government scheme for students from lower-income households, covering university and TVET college costs as a bursary you generally don't repay if you meet the rules. Alongside that, corporates fund bursaries in fields they hire from, government departments and state-owned entities back priority skills, SETAs support sector-specific training, and universities, trusts and foundations offer their own awards on merit or need. Funza Lushaka is the national bursary for future teachers, while TVET-bound students have dedicated schemes for trades and technical qualifications. The common thread is that funders invest in young people who show promise and commitment.

Typical requirements lean on your matric performance, so strong final marks matter, especially in Maths, Physical Sciences or subjects tied to the course you're chasing. Most applications also ask about household income (many bursaries prioritise financial need), proof of South African citizenship, and a clear sense of what and where you want to study. Timing is the trap most learners fall into: many corporate bursaries open around August to October of your matric year, well before final results, so waiting until you've passed often means you've already missed the window. Apply early, apply widely, and don't rule yourself out because one award looks competitive.