If you are planning to study teaching in South Africa in 2027, the Funza Lushaka Bursary is one of the funding opportunities worth understanding before applications open.
The programme supports selected students studying towards teaching qualifications in identified priority subject areas. In return, successful bursary recipients have a service obligation to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary.
Because the 2027 application dates have not yet been published on the official Funza Lushaka portal, prospective applicants should use this time to prepare their university application, documents and qualification choices rather than relying on unofficial dates.
What Is the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
Funza Lushaka is a multi-year bursary programme designed to encourage students to pursue teaching as a profession.
The programme is managed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), with NSFAS responsible for the financial administration through Student Financial Aid offices at participating higher education institutions.
Students who receive the bursary are expected to teach at a public school after qualifying, generally for one year of service for every year of bursary funding received.
Who Can Apply for Funza Lushaka?
The official Funza Lushaka information identifies several groups that may be eligible, including:
- Grade 12 learners
- Graduates below 30 who want to study teaching
- People below 30 who want to change careers and become teachers
- Unemployed people below 30 who want to become teachers
First-time applicants must currently be 30 years or younger.
Applicants must also meet the programme’s academic and selection requirements.
What Qualifications Does Funza Lushaka Fund?
The programme funds approved initial teacher education programmes.
The official information identifies:
Bachelor of Education — BEd
The BEd is the main undergraduate teaching qualification supported by the programme.
Students can specialise in different phases, including:
- Foundation Phase
- Intermediate Phase
- Senior Phase
- Further Education and Training (FET)
The specific priority areas and funded programmes can change according to annual programme priorities.
PGCE
The official programme information has historically included the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for Senior Phase and FET teaching.
However, the 2026 application notes specifically state that PGCE was not funded for 2026. Therefore, applicants planning for 2027 should wait for the official 2027 rules before assuming that a PGCE will be funded.
What Are the Funza Lushaka Priority Subjects?
Funza Lushaka does not simply fund every teaching specialisation.
The programme uses identified priority subject areas, which can change according to teacher demand and annual priorities.
The DBE’s 2025 discussion of the programme specifically addressed 2027 subject priority areas. It identified areas across Foundation, Intermediate, Senior and FET phases, including indigenous South African languages, South African Sign Language, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and various technical subjects.
The final 2027 application information should therefore be checked before selecting your teaching specialisation.
Basic Funza Lushaka Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should prepare to meet requirements such as:
1. South African citizenship
The official selection criteria state that the bursary is awarded to South African citizens with a valid South African ID.
2. Age requirement
First-time applicants must be 30 years or younger.
3. Academic ability
Applicants should demonstrate good academic ability.
4. Admission to an approved programme
Applicants must be accepted into an approved teaching qualification at an accredited public university.
The official FAQ states that applicants should first gain admission to a higher education institution.
5. Priority subject requirements
Your teaching qualification must meet the applicable Funza Lushaka priority-area requirements.
The programme’s selection criteria can require applicants to specialise in priority subject areas.
6. Commitment to teaching
Applicants are expected to demonstrate commitment to teaching, including an interest in working with young people and an enthusiasm for teaching as a profession.
What Does the Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover?
The official FAQ says the bursary may cover essential expenses such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation, including meals
- Books and learning materials
- Where possible, a living allowance
The total value can differ between institutions because universities have different cost structures. There is also a cap on the amount allocated to an individual student, meaning students may have to cover costs above the approved amount themselves.
Important: Don’t confuse Funza Lushaka funding with a guaranteed cash payment to every student. The actual allocation depends on the applicable funding arrangements and institution.
Does Funza Lushaka Have a Service Obligation?
Yes.
This is one of the most important things prospective applicants should understand before accepting the bursary.
Funza Lushaka recipients are required to teach at a public school for one year for every year they received bursary funding.
For example, if a student receives the bursary for four years, the programme’s stated service obligation would generally be four years.
Students should read and understand the bursary agreement before accepting the funding.
Do You Have to Repay the Funza Lushaka Bursary?
The programme states that the bursary does not normally have to be repaid when the recipient fulfils the programme requirements.
However, repayment can become applicable when a recipient fails to meet important conditions of the bursary agreement. The official FAQ lists circumstances such as failing to make academic progress, failing to follow the required placement processes or failing to take up the required teaching post.
The programme states that repayment can involve the full amount received plus accrued interest in applicable circumstances.
This is why applicants should understand the service obligation before accepting the bursary.
Do I Need to Be Accepted at University Before Applying?
Yes, this is an important preparation step.
The official Funza Lushaka information says prospective bursars must first gain admission to a higher education institution.
Previous official application notes have also stated that applicants must have a valid student number and be accepted or provisionally accepted at their university before applying.
So if you are targeting Funza Lushaka for 2027, don’t wait for the bursary application to start before thinking about university admission.
How Do You Apply for Funza Lushaka?
Applications are submitted online through the official Funza Lushaka system.
The current official application process involves:
- Opening the South African e-Government portal.
- Registering your personal information.
- Logging into your account.
- Selecting the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.
- Completing the required information.
- Accepting the declaration and submitting the application.
The official application website is:
Funza Lushaka official website
When Will Funza Lushaka 2027 Applications Open?
The official 2027 opening date has not yet been published on the Funza Lushaka website available at the time of writing.
The official portal currently displays information for the 2026 application cycle, which opened on 7 October 2025.
Therefore, NextStepZA should not publish a 2027 opening date as confirmed until the DBE/Funza Lushaka programme officially announces it.
What should you do now?
Use the waiting period to:
- Apply for university admission.
- Research BEd programmes.
- Check the subjects you want to specialise in.
- Check whether your intended subjects fall within the announced priority areas.
- Prepare your identification and academic documents.
- Create or check your e-Gov account.
- Monitor the official Funza Lushaka website.
Can You Apply for Funza Lushaka and Another Bursary?
The official FAQ states that students who are offered both a Funza Lushaka bursary and another bursary must choose between them.
This means students should carefully read the terms of other bursaries before accepting funding.
Is Funza Lushaka Automatically Guaranteed If You Meet the Requirements?
No.
Meeting the basic requirements does not automatically mean that an applicant will receive funding.
Selection is undertaken through the relevant higher education institutions and is affected by the programme’s selection criteria, available funding and identified priority areas.
Funza Lushaka 2027 Preparation Checklist
If you’re considering applying, start preparing now:
☑️ Be a South African citizen
☑️ Check the age requirement
☑️ Apply for admission to an eligible public university
☑️ Research BEd programmes
☑️ Check the latest priority subject areas
☑️ Prepare your academic information
☑️ Create/check your e-Gov account
☑️ Monitor the official Funza Lushaka website
☑️ Watch for the official 2027 opening and closing dates
☑️ Understand the teaching service obligation
☑️ Read the bursary agreement carefully before accepting funding
Final Word
If you’re considering becoming a teacher in 2027, preparation before the bursary application opens can make the process much easier.
The most important things to understand are that Funza Lushaka is targeted at initial teacher education, priority subject areas matter, applicants need to meet the programme’s selection requirements, and successful bursars have a teaching service obligation after completing their studies.
For now, keep checking the official Funza Lushaka website for the confirmed 2027 application dates and final 2027 requirements rather than relying on dates circulating on social media.
Suggested NextStepZA internal links
- NSFAS 2027 Applications
- NSFAS 2027 Eligibility Requirements
- NSFAS 2027 Allowances
- NSFAS 2027 Application Status
- Bursaries Open Now in South Africa
Frequently Asked Questions About Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a government-funded programme designed to support selected students studying teaching qualifications in identified priority subject areas. Recipients are required to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they received bursary funding.
The programme has included Grade 12 learners, graduates under 30 who want to complete a teaching qualification, career changers under 30, and unemployed people under 30 who want to become teachers. First-time applicants must be 30 years or younger.
The official programme information lists Bachelor of Education (BEd) and, subject to the applicable year’s rules, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in specified teaching areas. Applicants should check the 2027 application notes before applying because funded qualifications can change between application cycles.
Priority subject areas are determined according to teaching needs. The official FAQ includes areas such as Mathematics, Languages, Natural Science and Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and various technical subjects. The exact priority areas for the 2027 cycle should be confirmed when the official 2027 application information is released.
Yes. Applicants are required to gain admission to an eligible public higher education institution and meet the admission and Funza Lushaka selection requirements.
Depending on the institution and the applicable funding limits, the bursary may cover expenses such as tuition fees, accommodation including meals, books and learning materials, and a living allowance where possible. The amount allocated can differ between institutions, and students may have to cover costs above the approved funding limit.
You can apply, but the official FAQ states that a student who is offered both a Funza Lushaka Bursary and another bursary must choose between them rather than receive both.
Yes. Funza Lushaka bursary recipients are required to teach at a public school for one year for every year of bursary funding received. Placement is handled through the relevant Provincial Education Department.
The bursary normally does not have to be repaid when the recipient meets the conditions of the agreement. However, repayment may be required if the recipient fails to meet specified obligations, such as failing to make academic progress or failing to take up the required teaching placement.
The 2027 opening date has not yet been confirmed on the official Funza Lushaka portal. The official information currently available relates to the 2026 cycle, which opened on 7 October 2025. Check the official Funza Lushaka website for the 2027 announcement before submitting an application.