The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government-funded programme aimed at supporting students who want to study teaching in priority subject areas. Instead of repaying the bursary with money, recipients commit to teaching in public schools after completing their qualification.
This guide explains what the Funza Lushaka Bursary is, who qualifies, what it covers, how to apply for the 2026 intake, and the most common reasons applications are rejected.
Quick Glance: Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026
- Who it is for: South African students studying or intending to study teaching (BEd or PGCE)
- Funded by: Department of Basic Education (DBE)
- Type of funding: Full bursary (subject to an annual cap)
- What it covers: Tuition, accommodation or transport support, meals, books, and limited living support
- Subjects funded: Priority teaching subjects only (set by DBE each year)
- Monthly payment: No fixed salary; a small living allowance may be included depending on costs
- Repayment: No cash repayment, but a teaching service obligation applies
- Service obligation: Teach in a public school for one year for each year funded
- 2026 applications: Opened October 2025; new applicants close January 2026
- Key risk: Choosing non-priority subjects or submitting incomplete documents
Table of Contents
What Is the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is funded by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to address the shortage of qualified teachers in South Africa. It supports students who are studying or plan to study a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in priority subject areas.
The bursary is not a loan. In exchange for funding, recipients are required to teach in a public school for the same number of years they received bursary support.
Who Qualifies for the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
To be considered for the Funza Lushaka Bursary, applicants must meet the following general requirements:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be accepted for or registered at a recognised South African university
- Be studying or intending to study teaching (BEd or PGCE)
- Select priority subject areas approved for the relevant year
- Meet the academic requirements set by the programme
- Be willing to accept a teaching service obligation after graduation
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee funding. Bursary selection depends on subject demand, available funding, and verification of submitted information.
What Subjects Are Funded by Funza Lushaka?
Funza Lushaka funds priority subject areas identified by the Department of Basic Education. These priorities may change from year to year depending on national teaching needs.
Priority areas commonly include:
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Foundation Phase teaching
- African languages
- Technology-related teaching fields
- Special needs education
Applicants who select non-priority subjects are unlikely to be funded, even if all other requirements are met. Applicants are advised to confirm the official subject priority list for the relevant application year before applying.
Is Funza Lushaka a Full Bursary?
Yes. Funza Lushaka is regarded as a full bursary, subject to a capped value determined annually.
It covers essential study-related costs and replaces the need for separate tuition or accommodation funding for most students. Because it is a bursary with its own conditions, recipients generally cannot hold another bursary at the same time.
Related Article: Do You Pay Back a Bursary?
What Does the Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary covers most essential costs associated with studying teaching, including:
- Tuition fees at a public university
- Accommodation and meals at university residences, or approved alternatives
- Prescribed textbooks and learning materials
- Support for basic living expenses, subject to the bursary cap
The total value of the bursary is capped, and the exact allocation may differ between institutions. If study costs exceed the capped amount, students may be responsible for the difference.
How Much Does Funza Lushaka Pay Monthly?
Funza Lushaka does not pay a fixed monthly salary.
The bursary may include a small allowance for monthly living expenses, depending on the university’s cost structure and the capped bursary value for that year. The allowance amount is not uniform and may vary by institution.
Students should confirm the exact breakdown of funding with their university’s financial aid office.
Does Funza Lushaka Pay for Accommodation?
Yes. Funza Lushaka covers accommodation-related costs, but how this is applied depends on the student’s living arrangement and the university’s rules.
Students in university residences usually have accommodation and meals covered
Students living at home or with relatives may receive transport support instead of accommodation
The method of support is determined by institutional norms and programme guidelines.
How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2026
The Funza Lushaka application is completed online during the official application window.
For the 2026 intake:
- Applications opened in October 2025
- New applicant closing date: January 2026
- Returning student closing date: November 2025
General application steps:
- Apply for admission to a recognised university for a teaching qualification
- Ensure your chosen subjects align with priority areas
- Complete the Funza Lushaka online application
- Upload all required supporting documents, like the motivational letter
- Submit the application before the closing date
- Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Funza Lushaka Bursary Requirements
Applicants are usually required to submit:
- A certified copy of a South African ID
- Academic records or latest results
- Proof of university admission or registration
- Any additional documents requested during the application process
Submitting incorrect or incomplete documents is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected.
Teaching Obligation Explained
Recipients of the Funza Lushaka Bursary are required to teach in a public school after completing their qualification.
Key conditions include:
- One year of teaching for each year funded
- Placement is coordinated by the Department of Basic Education
- Refusal of placement or failure to meet obligations may result in the bursary becoming repayable
Applicants should understand this obligation fully before accepting the bursary.
Does Funza Lushaka Fund UNISA Students?
Funza Lushaka may fund UNISA students, but only under specific conditions related to the qualification type, subject specialisation, and programme approval.
Funza Lushaka vs NSFAS: What Is the Difference?
Although both are government-supported, the two programmes serve different purposes:
- Funza Lushaka funds teaching qualifications only
- NSFAS supports students across multiple fields based on household income
- Funza requires a teaching service commitment
- NSFAS does not require post-study service
Related Article: Is the DHET Bursary the Same as NSFAS?
Common Funza Lushaka Rejection Reasons
Applications are often unsuccessful due to:
- Choosing non-priority subjects
- Missing or incorrect documents
- Not meeting academic requirements
- Applying without a confirmed university admission
- Limited funding availability for specific subjects
Understanding these reasons helps applicants avoid repeated mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who qualifies for Funza Lushaka?
South African citizens studying or intending to study teaching in priority subject areas at recognised universities may qualify, subject to academic and programme requirements.
Is Funza Lushaka a full bursary?
Yes. It covers essential study costs such as tuition, accommodation or transport support, meals, books, and limited living support, subject to a capped value.
Does Funza Lushaka pay for accommodation?
Yes. Accommodation is covered for many students, while others may receive transport support depending on living arrangements.
What subjects are needed for Funza Lushaka?
Only priority teaching subjects approved for the relevant year are funded. These must be confirmed before applying.
How much does Funza Lushaka pay monthly?
There is no fixed monthly payment. A small living allowance may be included, depending on institutional costs and the bursary cap.
Final Advice for Applicants
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is highly competitive and strictly regulated. Applicants should ensure they meet all requirements, choose approved priority subjects, and understand the teaching obligation before applying. Applying early and submitting accurate documents improves the chances of success.
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.
