Hey future teachers! 🌟 Ready to kickstart your dream career without the financial stress? Then you absolutely need to hear about the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026! This is *the* go-to bursary in South Africa if you’re passionate about education and want to make a real difference in our schools.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary isn’t just a helping hand; it’s a full-on embrace for aspiring educators! It’s designed by the Department of Basic Education to fund your Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) studies at public universities across South Africa. Basically, if you want to teach high-demand subjects and help shape young minds, this bursary wants to help you achieve that dream by covering pretty much everything!
Who Can Apply?
So, are you eligible to grab this amazing opportunity? Here’s the lowdown:
- You must be a **South African citizen**.
- You should be **30 years old or younger** by the time you apply.
- Got good grades? You’ll need to show **strong academic ability**.
- You need to be **provisionally or fully accepted** into an approved B.Ed. or PGCE programme at any of the 26 public universities in South Africa.
- Your chosen qualification must specialise in **at least two priority subject areas** where teachers are most needed.
What are these “priority subjects,” you ask? Think high-demand fields like:
- Mathematics
- Languages (especially African languages)
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Accounting
- Agricultural Sciences
- Economics
- Technology
- Geography
Whether you’re aiming for Foundation Phase (Grade R–3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4–6), or Senior and FET Phase (Grade 7–12), there’s a place for you, especially if you’re focusing on these key subjects!
What Does It Cover?
Get ready for the best part – the Funza Lushaka Bursary is a **fully funded** lifeline! This means it’s designed to take away most of your financial worries, covering:
- **Tuition fees**: Yep, your university fees are sorted!
- **Accommodation (including meals)**: No need to stress about where you’ll live or what you’ll eat.
- **Books and learning materials**: All your study essentials are covered.
- **Registration and examination fees**: Those pesky admin costs? Taken care of.
- **A monthly allowance**: Some extra cash for your living expenses, so you can focus on your studies!
In return for this incredible support, you’ll be required to teach in a public school for the same number of years that you received the bursary funding. It’s a fantastic way to give back and gain invaluable experience!
How to Apply?
Ready to apply? It’s super straightforward! Just follow these steps online to submit your application for the 2026 academic year:
- Head over to the official e-Gov portal: www.eservices.gov.za
- If you’re new, **register** by providing your personal details.
- **Log in** using your new username and password.
- On the e-Services menu, choose **“Education.”**
- Then, click on **“Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.”**
- Enter the **OTP** (One-Time Pin) sent to your phone or email.
- Read and **accept the Terms and Conditions**.
- On your dashboard, click on the **2026 Application** button.
- Fill in **all required fields** with accurate and honest information.
- Finally, **accept the declaration** to confirm everything is correct.
Remember, applications for 2026 opened on 7 October 2025 and will **close on 24 January 2026**. Make sure you don’t miss this deadline – late applications won’t be considered!
If becoming a qualified teacher and making a real impact in South Africa’s education system sounds like your calling, then the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026 is definitely for you! Don’t wait – start your application today and take the first step towards a rewarding career. Good luck, future educators! ✨
