Are you a South African student looking for financial assistance to study at university or college in 2026? StudyTrust offers an excellent opportunity to access a wide range of bursaries and scholarships—all through a single application. Whether you’re pursuing studies in engineering, IT, commerce, education, or other fields aligned with scarce skills, StudyTrust connects you with bursaries that can help fund your academic journey.
StudyTrust is a non-profit organization that manages bursaries and scholarships on behalf of various trusts, foundations, private companies, and international partners. Instead of applying to multiple funders individually, you only need to submit one application, and StudyTrust will match you to all bursary programmes you qualify for.
Their goal is to identify and support talented students who show strong academic potential but need financial assistance. They help match students to sponsors who are looking to invest in South Africa’s future leaders.
StudyTrust bursaries are primarily for:
Only South African citizens are eligible for these bursaries.
When applying, you’ll need to:
Tip: Think of this as a job interview in writing. Sponsors may invest up to half a million rand in your education, so attention to detail counts!
To complete your application, you’ll need:
Selection is based on a combination of:
Some of the bursaries also include a work-back obligation, especially those funded by private companies like Standard Bank, Investec, or Toyota.
It’s best to apply early to avoid missing out due to technical issues or missing documents.
One of the biggest advantages of applying through StudyTrust is that a single application opens the door to multiple bursary and scholarship opportunities. StudyTrust manages funding on behalf of various corporate sponsors, foundations, and private donors—each with their own selection criteria and benefits.
These bursaries cover a range of fields including IT, engineering, finance, education, and more. Some are recruitment bursaries, meaning they come with a work-back agreement where you commit to working for the sponsor after graduation.
To be considered, applicants only need to submit one comprehensive application. StudyTrust will then match you with all bursaries and scholarships you qualify for based on your profile, academic performance, financial need, and chosen field of study.
Note: The portal may sometimes be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance. Keep checking back or contact StudyTrust for assistance.
For questions or support:
While StudyTrust covers a wide range of bursaries, you are still encouraged to apply for other bursaries, such as NSFAS, to improve your chances.
With just one application, StudyTrust can connect you to a range of bursary opportunities that can change your future. If you’re committed, meet the requirements, and are ready to study in 2026, don’t miss this chance to apply.