Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026 Applications Now Open — Apply Before the Deadline

The wait is over! From 07 October 2025 you can now apply online for the Funza Lushaka Bursary for the 2026 academic year. The Funza Lushaka Bursary programme is specifically made for young people in South Africa who want to be teachers.

Future teachers; those already in universities and those still in high school ke nako (It is time) to send that application to stand a chance to be funded by the best bursary for teaching. 

The majority of bursaries in South Africa do not cater for teaching students the focus in most cases is on engineering, science and accounting students. The Funza Bursary comes in handy for teaching students especially those who want to major with subjects in scarce skills. 

The Department of basic education urges interested applicants to utilize this opportunity and apply on time. The closing dates for the Funza Lushaka bursary for 2026 are as follows:

Closing Date for new students: 24 January 2026

Closing date for Returning students: 30 November 2025

Unfortunately with the Funza Lushaka Bursary late applications will not be granted. Any application received after the cut off date will not be considered for admission for 2026 intake.  

The Requirements - Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026

Now lets get to the real stuff, not everyone who is doing teaching or want to pursue a career in teaching automatically qualifies for Funza Lushaka. There are criteria's in place and strict requirements that one must meet. The following are the Funza Lushaka Bursay Requirements: 

-Be a citizen of South Africa

-Be between the ages of 18 to 30

-Must have applied or accepted to study teaching in any of the public universities in South Africa

-Must already studying teaching in any of the public universities in South Africa.

-Individuals with a criminal record will not be accepted

-After finishing your qualification you must be willing to teach in any school in South Africa (you will be placed)

-Must not be a higher education institution employee or a spouse, dependent or child of a Higher Education Institution employee

-You must children and have a passion for the education sector 

-Good results are a must 

-50% in Mathematics and English in grade 12 is required

-Must NOT have any other teaching qualifications

Funza Lushaka Bursary Priority Areas Subjets

Did you know that to qualify for the Funza Lushaka Bursary you should be willing to teach subjects in priority areas. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Priority Areas are;

For Foundation Phase (Grade R-3): South African Indigenous Languages, Neurodevelopment Needs, Braille and South African Sign Language (SASL)

For Intermediate and Senior Phase (Grade 4-9): Languages, Mathematics, Natural Science & Technology

NOTE: Must teach TWO Majors.

For FET phase (Grade 10-12): Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Technology, Civil Technology, Computer Applications Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mechanical Technology, Physical Sciences, Languages, Maritime studies, Coding and Robitics, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science.

NOTE: Must teach TWO Majors.

Funza Lushaka Bursary students are in luck because Funza Lushaka Bursary covers the following university expenses; Tuition fees, Accommodation, Meals, Books, Learning materials and Allowance for monthly living expenses. Amazing right? 

Now if you meet requirements and willing to teach subjects in priority areas head over to  www.eservices.gov.za this is the government portal where you are going to submit your Funza Lushaka Bursary application for 2026. You will first need to create an e service profile then login to apply. There is a designed dashboard for Funza Applications.

YOU'VE GOT THIS! GOOD LUCK!!