How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary: Online Application Guide
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
South Africans planning to study teaching can consider the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, a government bursary designed to support eligible students studying towards teaching qualifications in priority areas.
The programme is administered through the Department of Basic Education and aims to encourage suitably qualified students to become teachers in areas where educators are needed.
Applications are completed online through the official government eServices portal.
The bursary can provide substantial financial support for eligible teaching students, but applicants should understand an important condition: recipients are required to teach at a public school for the same number of years for which they received the bursary.
Important 2026 Application Update
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
As of August 2026, applications for the 2026 Funza Lushaka Bursary are closed.
Prospective applicants who missed the 2026 application period should monitor the Department of Basic Education and government eServices portal for information about the next application cycle.
Do not pay anyone who claims they can reopen a closed application or guarantee you a Funza Lushaka bursary.
What Is the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme helps eligible students complete teaching qualifications in areas identified as national priorities.
It is different from a general student bursary because its main purpose is to help South Africa train teachers in areas where they are needed.
Successful bursary recipients also make a service commitment.
After qualifying, recipients are required to teach at a public school for the same number of years they received the bursary.
Provincial Education Departments are responsible for placing qualifying bursars in suitable teaching posts.
Applicants should therefore understand that they cannot necessarily choose the specific school where they will eventually work.
What Does the Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover?
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
According to the Department of Basic Education, the bursary can cover important study-related expenses such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation or transport where applicable
- Meals
- Learning materials
- Personal-care allowance
- Teaching-practice support
The exact funding arrangements applicable to an individual student should always be confirmed through the official programme and the student’s institution.
Who Can Apply?
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
Funza Lushaka is intended for students pursuing teaching qualifications in identified priority areas.
Eligibility depends on the rules for the relevant application year.
For the 2026 programme, first-time applicants were required to be below 30 years old.
Applicants also need to satisfy university admission requirements and the academic requirements associated with their intended teaching qualification and priority subjects.
Being eligible to submit an application does not guarantee that a bursary will be awarded.
The number of bursaries is limited and applications are subject to selection.
Teaching Qualifications
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
Applicants generally need to pursue an approved teaching qualification aligned with the programme’s requirements.
Teaching routes can include a Bachelor of Education (BEd) and, where applicable under the programme’s rules, an approved Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Your teaching specialisation is important because Funza Lushaka funding is targeted towards areas where South Africa needs teachers.
Priority Teaching Areas
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
Priority subjects can change as the country’s teacher requirements change.
For the 2026 programme, priority areas included subjects and specialisations such as:
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural Technology
- Computer Applications Technology
- Information Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Civil Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Mechanical Technology
- Indigenous South African languages
- South African Sign Language
- Technical Mathematics and Science
- Other identified specialist areas
Applicants should check the priority-subject list for the year in which they apply rather than assuming that previous years’ subjects will remain unchanged.
How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
The Department of Basic Education provides a straightforward online application process.
Step 1: Go to the Government eServices Portal
Start by visiting the official South African government eServices platform.
Do not rely on unofficial forms sent through WhatsApp, Facebook or other social-media platforms.
Step 2: Register an Account
New users must register on eServices by providing the requested personal information.
Make sure your information is correct.
Step 3: Log In
After registering, log in using the username and password you created.
Keep your login details secure.
Step 4: Select Funza Lushaka
From the eServices menu, select:
Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme
Step 5: Complete OTP Verification
Enter the one-time PIN or OTP sent through your selected verification channel.
Step 6: Accept the Terms and Conditions
Read the programme’s terms and conditions carefully.
Do not simply accept them without understanding the bursary obligations, particularly the teaching-service requirement.
Step 7: Select the Available Application
When applications are open, select the relevant application year from your dashboard.
For example, the Department’s instructions for the previous cycle directed applicants to select the 2026 application.
Future applicants should select the application year displayed for the new cycle.
Step 8: Complete Your Application
Provide all requested information accurately.
This may include information about your:
- Personal details
- Academic history
- University
- Teaching qualification
- Study year
- Teaching specialisation
- Priority subjects
- Contact information
Check everything before proceeding.
Step 9: Accept the Declaration and Submit
Read the declaration carefully and confirm that the information you entered is correct.
Submit your application once you are satisfied that the information is complete.
Official Application Portal
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Online
Applications are made through the South African government’s eServices system.
Do not submit a Funza Lushaka application through Linkinn.co.za or another jobs website.
Linkinn may provide application guidance, but the actual bursary application should be completed through the government’s official system.
Apply to a University Too
Applying for Funza Lushaka does not replace your university application.
Prospective students should apply to an appropriate public university for their teaching programme and satisfy the institution’s admission requirements.
University application deadlines may also be different from the Funza Lushaka deadline.
Waiting for the bursary application period before applying to university could therefore cause problems.
Plan both applications carefully.
Important Conditions Before Applying
Applicants should understand that Funza Lushaka comes with responsibilities.
Successful bursary recipients are expected to complete their teaching qualification and fulfil the programme’s service obligations.
After graduating, a bursar may be placed at a suitable public school by a Provincial Education Department.
The placement may not necessarily be at the school, town or province the graduate would personally prefer.
This is an important condition to understand before accepting the bursary.
Is Funza Lushaka the Same as NSFAS?
No.
Funza Lushaka is specifically focused on eligible students pursuing teaching qualifications in priority areas.
NSFAS provides financial aid to eligible students across a much wider range of approved studies and institutions.
The official Funza Lushaka portal has also advised prospective applicants to investigate other funding opportunities because the number of new Funza Lushaka bursaries is limited.
Avoid Funza Lushaka Application Scams
Students should be careful when searching for bursaries online.
Be suspicious if someone:
- Asks you to pay an application fee for Funza Lushaka
- Promises guaranteed approval
- Requests payment to move your application forward
- Claims they can reopen applications after the deadline
- Requests your eServices password
- Sends you an unofficial application form
- Claims they can guarantee a teaching placement
Use official government channels to verify application information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
Applications are completed online through the South African government’s eServices portal. Applicants register or log in, select the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme and complete the application for the relevant year.
Are Funza Lushaka applications open now?
The 2026 application cycle is closed. Prospective applicants should monitor official Department of Basic Education and eServices information for the next application cycle.
Is Funza Lushaka only for teaching students?
Yes. The programme is designed to support eligible students pursuing teaching qualifications in identified priority areas.
Can I apply with Matric?
School leavers can potentially apply if they satisfy the relevant university admission, academic, age and Funza Lushaka requirements and are entering an approved teaching programme.
Does Funza Lushaka pay tuition fees?
The Department of Basic Education states that the programme covers essential expenses including tuition, together with other applicable study-related support.
Do I have to teach after receiving Funza Lushaka?
Yes. Bursary recipients are required to teach at a public school for the same number of years for which they received the bursary.
Can I choose which school I work at?
The programme states that bursars cannot choose the school where they are placed. Provincial Education Departments arrange suitable placements.
Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes. Existing bursary recipients are required to apply online each year for continued bursary consideration.
Does applying guarantee funding?
No. Funza Lushaka has a limited number of bursaries and submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
Final Word
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is one of the major funding opportunities available to eligible South Africans who want to become teachers.
The application itself is completed online through the official government eServices portal.
Before applying, students should first understand the programme requirements, check the current priority teaching areas and ensure that their intended university programme meets the relevant requirements.
Applicants should also understand the service commitment attached to the bursary: after completing their studies, recipients are expected to teach at a public school for the same number of years they received funding.
The 2026 application cycle is already closed, so prospective applicants should now monitor official channels for announcements about the next application period.
Most importantly, apply only through the official government application system and never pay anyone who promises to guarantee a Funza Lushaka bursary.
Official Resources
Department of Basic Education – Funza Lushaka:
Use the Department’s official Funza Lushaka information pages to check requirements, priority subjects and programme announcements.
Official Application Portal:
Use the South African Government eServices portal to register and submit an application when the relevant application cycle is open.
Linkinn.co.za:
Readers can visit Linkinn for additional South African bursary, education and opportunity guides. Linkinn is an independent information platform and is not the Funza Lushaka application portal.
The official application route is Funza Lushaka eServices application portal, and applicants can use the Department of Basic Education Funza Lushaka page for programme information. The DBE’s published application process confirms the registration, OTP, dashboard and online-submission steps used above. (Department of Basic Education)