Free State Provincial Government Bursaries 2027: Applications Now Open

The Free State Office of the Premier invites eligible South African students residing in the Free State province to apply for the Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.

Bursary Application Closing Date: 13 November 2026 at 16:00

Bursary Location: Free State, South Africa

The bursary supports full-time degree and diploma studies in critical and scarce-skills areas, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Finance, Economics, Accounting, Psychology, Social Sciences, Aviation, Public Governance and Developmental Studies.

Successful applicants may receive funding towards tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meals, transport and a monthly living allowance, where applicable.

The Free State Provincial Government, through the Office of the Premier, provides bursary opportunities to help develop skills needed within the province.

The programme aims to improve the capacity of the workforce by supporting students pursuing qualifications in fields identified as scarce or critical skills.

The bursary is specifically targeted at qualifying students who reside within the Free State province.

Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old, unemployed and studying or planning to study full-time at a recognised South African university or university of technology.

Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Bursaries will be awarded for degree or diploma studies in the following areas:

STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Various Bachelor of Administration programmes

Applicants should ensure that their intended qualification falls within one of the advertised fields before submitting an application.

Successful applicants may receive financial assistance towards:

Learning aid devices, where applicable;

Accommodation, where applicable;

Transport, where applicable; and

Monthly living allowance, where applicable.

The exact support received may therefore depend on the student’s individual circumstances and applicable bursary conditions.

Bursary recipients will also have access to support structures intended to assist them during their studies.

These include the Student Liaison and Support Unit, which provides academic and emotional support.

The Stakeholder Support Unit assists with coordination between bursary recipients and higher education institutions.

Applicants must satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements.

Reside within the Free State province;

Be between 18 and 35 years old;

Be currently completing Matric or have already completed Matric;

Have a total household income of less than R600,000 per year;

Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an eligible degree or diploma;

Be accepted at a recognised and accredited Higher Education Institution in South Africa;

Study at a university or university of technology;

Not be receiving another form of government funding;

Be willing to work within the related service sectors.

Applicants must have a household income of less than R600,000 per annum.

Proof of household income must accompany the application.

Depending on the circumstances of the applicant’s parents or guardians, this may include:

Proof of a SASSA grant, where applicable; or

Proof of pension income, where applicable.

Payslips submitted as proof of income should not be older than three months.

Applicants must submit clear copies of all compulsory supporting documentation together with the completed application form.

Certified copy of the applicant’s ID;

Certified copy of September Matric results if currently in Matric;

Certified copy of the Matric certificate if Matric has already been completed;

Proof of acceptance from a registered Higher Education Institution;

Proof of residence not older than three months;

Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents;

Parents’ or guardians’ death certificates where applicable; and

Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not include compulsory supporting documents may be disqualified.

Applicants must complete the prescribed Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form.

Application forms may also be collected from:

Central University of Technology; and

Applicants should carefully complete all sections of the application form before submitting it.

Applications must be hand delivered to:

FSTDI Brahman Building124 Nelson Mandela DriveWestdeneBloemfontein9301

Applications should be delivered to the Bursary Unit at the reception area.

Applicants should ensure that the completed application form and all required supporting documents are submitted before the closing date.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

According to the supplied bursary information, shortlisted applicants should be contacted within four months after the closing date.

If you have not received feedback within four months, you should consider you

• Applicants must satisfy the minimum eligibility requirements.
• You must:
• Be a South African citizen;
• Reside within the Free State province;
• Be between 18 and 35 years old;
• Be currently completing Matric or have already completed Matric;
• Have a total household income of less than R600,000 per year;
• Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an eligible degree or diploma;
• Be accepted at a recognised and accredited Higher Education Institution in South Africa;
• Study at a university or university of technology;
• Not be receiving another form of government funding;
• Be unemployed; and
• Be willing to work within the related service sectors.
• Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.