Funza Lushaka Application 2027: Requirements and Closing Dates

Last updated on November 4, 2026

The Funza Lushaka application for 2027 is open. The programme funds eligible South African students preparing for teaching careers in priority areas. Applications opened on 1 October 2026. Returning bursars must re-apply by 30 November 2026, while first-time applicants have until 31 January 2027.

This guide explains the verified 2027 dates, eligibility rules, application steps, funded costs and teaching-service obligation. Apply only through the official e-Services portal; Funza Lushaka does not accept late applications.

Quick Glance: Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027

• Who it is for: Eligible South African students accepted for an approved teaching qualification at a public university
• 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
• 2027 applications: Opened 1 October 2026; returning bursars close 30 November 2026; first-time applicants close 31 January 2027
• Key risk: Choosing non-priority subjects or submitting incomplete documents

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 approved teacher-education qualifications aligned with the current priority areas. Applicants should confirm that their exact programme and subject combination qualify under the 2027 rules before applying.

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 in an approved teaching qualification at a public university
• 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
• For a first-time 2027 application, be 30 years old or younger when applying

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 teaching areas identified by the Department of Basic Education and provincial education departments. For the 2027 recruitment cycle, the DBE specifically highlights:

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching fields
• South African Indigenous Languages
• Inclusive education and teaching learners with special educational needs

Your exact teaching specialisations must match the current subject-priority rules used by your university and province. A subject appearing in a general list does not guarantee selection.

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 2027

The 2027 Funza Lushaka bursary application is completed online. First apply for admission to a public university offering an approved teaching programme, then complete these official steps:

1. Open the official e-Services portal.
2. Register by entering your personal information, or sign in using your existing username and password.
3. Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme from the e-Services menu.
4. Enter the OTP sent through your selected contact channel.
5. Read and accept the terms and conditions.
6. On the application dashboard, select the 2027 application.
7. Complete every required field, check your information and accept the declaration before submitting.

Closing dates: returning bursars must re-apply by 30 November 2026. First-time applications close on 31 January 2027. Late applications are not considered.

If a university separately requests a written statement, use this guide to prepare a focused bursary motivation letter. Do not upload documents that the official portal has not requested.

Funza Lushaka Bursary Requirements

The portal or university may request the following information or documents. Follow the current checklist shown in your application rather than relying on an old document list:

• 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 for bursaries in SA.

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.

Funza Lushaka Status Check

Use the Funza Lushaka login to complete a Funza Lushaka status check online:

1. Go to the official Funza Lushaka / e-Services portal.
2. Log in with the username and password you used when applying.
3. Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme from the e-Services menu.
4. Enter the OTP sent to your registered contact details.
5. Accept the terms and conditions if the portal asks you to do so.
6. Open your application dashboard.
7. Check the latest update shown against your Funza Lushaka application.

The same Funza Lushaka login used for the online application gives you access to the application dashboard. Check it regularly after submitting or re-applying because the latest status is linked to your profile.

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)

Final Advice for Applicants

The Funza Lushaka Bursary is competitive and meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an award. For the 2027 cycle, confirm that your university programme and teaching specialisations match the current priority areas, submit accurate information, and apply before your relevant closing date.

Before applying for individual programmes, it can help to understand the bigger funding landscape. This guide to scholarships in Africa outlines government bursaries, international scholarships, and postgraduate funding routes.

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.