Does Funza Lushaka Fund UNISA Students?

Last updated on January 9, 2026

Yes, Funza Lushaka funds UNISA students, but only if you study a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.). The bursary does not fund PGCE, Honours, Master’s, or extended programmes. 

You apply online through the Funza Lushaka portal, then submit documents to the UNISA Student Funding Office for processing.  Payments are usually administered through NSFAS once approved. If your qualification and subjects match national teacher needs, does Funza Lushaka fund UNISA students — yes, it can.

Many parents also search “Does Funza Lushaka Fund UNISA Students” because they want clarity before committing to registration fees and study plans. This article aims to address to that confusion.

Scholarships do not just pay fees — they invest in the type of teacher a community will one day trust.

Quick Glance

• Yes — Funza Lushaka can fund students studying Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) at UNISA.
• It does not fund PGCE, Honours, Masters, or extended programmes.
• You apply online through the Funza Lushaka portal and submit documents to UNISA for processing.
• Approval depends on subject choices, national teaching needs, and meeting all eligibility rules.

Reasons to Select the Funza Lushaka Bursary

Many students ask does funza lushaka fund UNISA students because the bursary is one of the few that is designed specifically for future teachers. If you are doing the right B.Ed. degree, the support can make a real difference.

Here is why the bursary is worth considering:

• It covers core study costs such as tuition, registration and learning materials.
• You study, knowing your goal is a teaching job in a public school.
• Funding is linked to national teacher shortages, which improves employment chances.
• Accommodation and living allowances may be included depending on policy.
• Payments are usually managed through NSFAS, which makes administration easier once approved.
• You receive structured guidance while you complete your degree.
• It supports committed students who want to teach long-term, not just study for a qualification.

If you’re serious about becoming a teacher, the real question isn’t only whether Funza Lushaka funds UNISA — it’s whether your degree actually qualifies.

Pre-requisites for the Funza Lushaka Bursary

Many students ask, “Does Funza Lushaka Fund UNISA Students?” — and the answer depends on your qualification and approved teaching subjects. Before determining whether Funza Lushaka funds UNISA students, assess whether you actually can qualify. Funza Lushaka only supports students who are training to become teachers in public schools.

For consideration, you must:

• Have registration for a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) at UNISA.
• Study any of these phases: Foundation, Intermediate, or Senior/FET.
• Meet UNISA’s academic entry requirements.
• Be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
• Be willing to teach in a public school after graduation.
• Have no serious disciplinary or criminal record.

Important to know:

• Funza Lushaka does not fund PGCE, Honours, Masters, Doctorates, or extended programmes.
• Subjects that are oversupplied (like History or Geography) are rarely prioritized.
• Payments for approved students are usually administered through NSFAS.

Once you understand the rules, the answer becomes straightforward. Funza Lushaka can fund UNISA students — but only when the qualification and subjects match the bursary criteria.

Funza Lushaka prioritizes subjects where there are not enough teachers. This very reason makes subjects like Maths, Science, Technology and indigenous languages are favored on top of subjects that already have several teachers at disposal.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply

Most of the students are well-aware that Funza Lushaka can fund UNISA students. However, they find the application process to be tricky. However, there is nothing to worry about. We have laid out each step meticulously below.

Here are the steps:

• Go to the official Funza Lushaka portal and register for an account.
• Fill in your personal details, school history, and qualification information.
• Opt for the appropriate Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme and teaching phase.
• Next, upload certified copies of your ID, academic records, and others.
• Hit the send button on your application and keep the reference number handy.
• Wait for selection results — approval is not guaranteed.
• If awarded, submit your bursary confirmation to the UNISA Student Funding Office for administration:
  https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Student-Affairs-&-SRC/Bursaries-&-loans
• Once everything is processed, payments are usually handled through NSFAS.

If any document goes missing or you share the wrong detail, it can delay or cancel your application. Always adhere to the instructions precisely as depicted on the official website.

This is why, when students ask can Funza Lushaka fund UNISA students, the honest answer is: yes — but only if the process is followed correctly.

Qualifications Covered by the Funza Lushaka Bursary

It is imperative to decode the Funza Lushaka funding, but first, you should be aware of the qualifications that it actually supports. Funza Lushaka supports students who are training to become teachers in public schools, not every education-related course.

Qualifications that ARE funded

Funza Lushaka generally funds the following UNISA degrees:

• B.Ed. Foundation Phase
• B.Ed. Intermediate Phase
• B.Ed. Senior and FET Phase

The good news is that these programmes prepare students to teach relevant grades and subjects in schools. This is the reason the bursary has been created.

The opportunity is not the reward — the difference you make in classrooms is.

Qualifications that are NOT funded

The bursary does not support postgraduate or unrelated study paths.

Not funded:

• PGCE
• Honours in Education
• Masters or Doctoral degrees
• Extended or bridging B.Ed. programmes
• Any degree that is not directly focused on classroom teaching

This is why some students get confused. They ask does funza lushaka bursary fund unisa students, but apply with the wrong qualification and get rejected.

A Note About Subjects

Even if you are in the right B.Ed., subject choice still matters. Often oversupplied and less likely to be funded:

• History
• Geography
• English
• Afrikaans

More likely to be prioritized (based on national teacher shortages):

• Mathematics
• Science
• Technology
• Indigenous languages

This priority system exists because the bursary is meant to address teacher shortages — not simply to pay fees. So, when students wonder does Funza Lushaka fund UNISA students, the real filter is simple:

• Right qualification
• Right phase
• Right subjects

If all three align, funding becomes possible.

In the end we retain from our studies only that which we practically apply.

Common Reasons UNISA Students Get Rejected 

Many students feel confident when they apply and still get rejected. This does not show that Funza Lushaka does not fund UNISA. However, due to these small mistakes that could have been evaded.

Let us now look at some problems that you can come across:

• Applying for the wrong programme, like PGCE instead of B.Ed.
• Choosing subjects that already have too many qualified teachers
• Uploading documents that are not certified or are missing pages
• Submitting the application after the closing date
• Not meeting UNISA’s academic entry requirements
• Ignoring the service commitment and refusing to teach in public schools
• Relying on WhatsApp groups or social media instead of the official website

The question does Funza Lushaka fund UNISA students often comes up because distance-learning students are unsure how funding rules apply to them. Meticulous planning can save your invaluable time and drastically decrease the scope of rejection.

FAQs

Final Thoughts 

Does the Funza Lushaka fund UNISA students? Yes, but only if you study the correct B.Ed. degree, choose priority subjects, and follow the application process exactly. 

The bursary is built to train teachers for public schools, not to fund every education programme. 

Before applying, check your qualifications, confirm the requirements on the Funza website, and submit your documents properly through UNISA. If you are still unsure about does Funza Lushaka fund UNISA students, it helps to check whether your program is a Bachelor of Education that aligns with national teacher needs.

When everything aligns, the bursary not only removes most study costs — it also guides you into a guaranteed teaching placement after graduation.

Varsha Asrani

Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.