The TETA bursary 2026 is aimed at unemployed learners who want to study transport-related qualifications in South Africa in the 2026 academic year. The Transport Education Training Authority funds studies at universities, universities of technology, TVET colleges, aviation schools, and commercial diving schools, with a clear focus on critical skills for the transport sector.
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What Is The TETA Bursary 2026
The TETA bursary is a national funding programme run by the Transport Education Training Authority to support scarce and priority skills in transport, logistics, aviation, maritime, rail, and related fields. For the 2026 academic year, TETA invites unemployed learners, current students, and specialist trainees, such as aviation and commercial diving students, to apply for bursary support through the unemployed learner window.
The 2026 intake funds formal qualifications from N4 and higher at public and accredited private universities, universities of technology, TVET colleges and accredited aviation and diving schools. The list of funded qualifications is guided by TETA sector priorities and is updated in each bursary advert.
“Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.”
C.S. Lewis
Who Can Apply For The TETA Bursary 2026
According to the latest TETA bursary guidelines for 2025 and 2026, applicants must meet several minimum entry criteria. At a high level, the TETA bursary requirements for the unemployed learner bursary include:
- You are a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- You are unemployed and not funded by another TETA programme or another sponsor.
- You are currently in Grade 12, or you have completed matric or NCV Level 4, or you are already registered at a higher education institution and require funding for the 2026 academic year.
- You intend to study, or are already studying, transport-related qualifications or sectoral priority occupations listed in the official 2025–26 bursary advert.
- Your total household income is R350 000 per year or less.
- You meet the minimum academic performance requirement, usually a pass with at least 40 percent or higher in the previous year, with preference for stronger results.
For aviation and commercial diving applicants there are extra requirements, such as holding a valid PPL or CPL for some pilot training streams, or meeting commercial diving entry conditions.
The bursary also prioritises previously disadvantaged groups, including African, Coloured and Indian applicants, women and people with disabilities.
Eligible Fields Of Study For TETA Bursary 2026
The TETA bursary 2026 funds a wide range of studies that feed directly into the transport sector. The 2025–26 unemployed learner advert lists, among others:
- Electrical or Electronic Engineering (N4–N6, National Diploma, B Tech, Advanced Diploma or B Degree)
- Mechanical Engineering (same levels)
- Financial Management
- Business Management or Administration
- Logistics Management
- Road Transport Management
- Supply Chain Management, including warehouse, storage and distribution
- Transportation Management
- Transport Economics
- Information and Communication Technology
- Risk Management
- Operations Management
- Health and Safety Management
- Maritime and Nautical Studies
- Environmental Health, Environmental Management, Environmental Science and related fields
- Freight forwarding and customs compliance
- Data Analytics, Data Science, Business Intelligence
- Cybersecurity and Sustainable Development
- Mechatronics and Cloud Computing or Networking
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Maritime Law, Marine Engineering and Law
- Accounting
- Masters and Doctoral research topics relevant to the transport sector
- Commercial Diving (Class II, III and IV)
- Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating, Instructor Rating and advanced ATPL related training
Each year, TETA may adjust this list based on sector needs, so applicants should always confirm that their programme appears in the current advert before submitting a TETA bursary application 2026.
What Does The TETA Bursary 2026 Cover
The official guidelines describe a comprehensive package. The TETA bursary monthly allowance and benefits typically include:
- Tuition fees for the approved qualification, as per institutional fee statements
- Accommodation, either on campus or off campus, subject to TETA rules and cost limits
- Transport costs where applicable, especially for students who commute
- Textbooks and learning materials
- Meals or a living allowance, aligned with the bursary budget and internal policy
For learners registered in non-formal, part-time and online programmes, the guidelines specify that TETA will fund tuition, books and meals, but not accommodation.
TETA Bursary 2026 Opening Date And Closing Date
For the 2026 academic year, the unemployed learner bursary window opens and closes during 2025. The latest advert states:
- Application opening date:
24 August 2025 – online applications for the TETA bursary 2026 transport education window go live. This is the key TETA bursary 2026 opening date. - Application closing date:
24 September 2025 at 23:59 – the official deadline for the TETA bursary 2026 closing date.
Previous cycles followed a similar pattern. For example, the TETA bursary 2025 window opened in August and closed on 11 September 2024. This means learners asking “when is TETA bursary opening for 2025” should note that applications for funding for the 2025 academic year ran in 2024, while applications for 2026 run in 2025.
Late applications are not accepted, so learners should treat the closing date as final.
How To Submit The TETA Bursary Online Application 2026
The teta bursary 2026 online application process is fully digital. The guidelines and adverts emphasise that only online submissions will be considered.
A simple step by step approach:
- Read the bursary advert and guidelines
Download the latest unemployed learner advert and the TETA bursary guidelines 2025–2026 from the TETA website under the Unemployed Bursary Learner Support section. - Check that your qualification is funded
Confirm that your field and level of study appear on the 2026 qualification list in the advert. - Prepare and certify documents
Collect all required documents, such as certified identity documents, matric or NCV results, academic transcripts, proof of income, affidavits and institutional acceptance or registration letters. The guidelines require up to date certified copies and clearly named PDF files. - Go to the online system
Visit the TETA website and follow the link to the online bursary application system at https://indicium.teta.org.za (or the current system address noted in the advert). - Create or log into your profile
Register as a new user if needed, then log in with your details. - Complete the electronic form
Select the correct qualification from the funded list, capture your personal, academic and financial information and upload all compulsory documents in the correct fields. The system allows only one application per person. - Submit before the deadline
Double check that every required document is attached and that the form is complete, then submit before 24 September 2025 at 23:59 for the 2026 academic year.
This is the core process for the TETA bursary 2026 application and applies to Grade 12 learners, TVET students, university students, aviation trainees and commercial diving learners.
Documents Required For TETA Bursary 2026
The guidelines set out detailed document lists for different applicant categories. In general, a TETA bursary application 2026 must include:
- Certified copy of the applicant identity document
- Certified identity documents of parents or guardian
- Death certificates where parents are deceased, or affidavits where a parent is absent
- Proof of household income or affidavits if unemployed, or proof of SASSA or pension grants
- Affidavit from the applicant confirming employment status (unemployed)
- Matric certificate, NCV Level 4 results or latest academic transcript for current students
- Proof of application, acceptance or registration at a recognised institution
- Accreditation certificates for private institutions, aviation schools or diving schools where relevant
- Quotations for training costs for pilot training streams
All documents must be clear, legible, certified within the period specified in the guidelines and uploaded in standard PDF format. Incorrect or incomplete documents are grounds for automatic rejection.
How TETA Selects Applicants
TETA evaluates applications using the eligibility rules and sector priorities set out in the guidelines. The selection process generally considers:
- Compliance with all TETA bursary requirements
- Alignment of the chosen programme with TETA transport sector priorities
- Academic performance and potential
- Financial need based on household income
- Priority groups, including previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities
- Availability of funds and the balance between different subsectors and qualification levels
Applications that provide incomplete information, exceed the income threshold, upload documents in the wrong fields or miss the deadline may be rejected automatically.
FAQs
Does the TETA bursary have a monthly allowance
The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, transport where applicable, books, and meals. Instead of publishing a fixed TETA bursary monthly allowance figure for all learners, TETA aligns allowances with institutional costs and internal funding rules. Learners can expect a full cost structure that supports their studies rather than a simple flat monthly stipend, especially where accommodation and meals are funded.
Does TETA fund both TVET and university students
Yes. The unemployed learner bursary funds eligible learners at public and accredited private universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges, as well as accredited aviation and diving schools. Applicants must ensure that their institution and programme are recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Council on Higher Education or the relevant sector authority.
Can current students apply for the TETA bursary 2026
Yes. The guidelines confirm that currently registered students who require funding for the 2026 academic year can apply, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria, including the income threshold and academic performance requirements.
When is the TETA bursary opening for 2025 and 2026
For the 2025 academic year, the unemployed learner bursary opened in August 2024 and closed on 11 September 2024. For the 2026 academic year, the TETA bursary 2026 application window opens on 24 August 2025 and closes on 24 September 2025 at 23:59, with all applications submitted online.
How can applicants check the status of a TETA bursary application
After submitting the teta bursary online application 2026, learners can keep their login details for the online system and monitor communication from TETA. The advert and guidelines note that applicants will be notified of outcomes and provide a list of contact numbers and email addresses at TETA for further queries.
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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.
