Free State Provincial Government Full Time Bursary Programme 2027: Applications Now Open

Who can apply

• Must be a South African Citizen
• This bursary is strictly for South African nationals.
• Must be a Free State Resident
• Proof of residence is required (e.g., municipal account or affidavit) as per page 1 of the document
• Age Requirement: 18–35
• The programme specifically targets unemployed youth.
• Household Income Must Be Below R600 000 Per Year
• Salary advice
• Affidavit
• SASSA proof
• Must Not Have Other Funding
• No double dipping. If you already have a bursary or sponsorship, your application will be automatically disqualified.
• Must Have Been Accepted or Be Studying at an Accredited HEI
• You must attach an acceptance letter or proof of registration.
• Current Grade 12 learners must submit September results.
• University students must attach a recent academic transcript.
• Priority is given to financially needy but academically strong applicants.
• Persons with Disabilities Are Encouraged to Apply
• Accessible equipment and support may be provided upon request and recommendation from the HEI Disability Office.

Documents you will need

• Compulsory Attachments
• Certified copy of applicant ID
• Certified matric results or academic record
• Acceptance letter from the university/TVET college
• Proof of residence
• Certified proof of income (parents/guardian/spouse)
• 3-month bank statements
• SASSA proof (if applicable)
• Affidavits for unemployment, single parenthood, or guardianship
• Death certificates (if orphaned)
• CIPC documents and tax certificate for self-employed parents
• Curriculum plan
• Confirmation from banks regarding parent/guardian account status
• Proof of NSFAS status (if applicable)
• Signed declaration
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Free State Provincial Government - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Young people in the Free State who want to study for a Diploma or Degree in 2027 may want to look at this provincial funding option.

The Free State Provincial Government, through the Office of the Premier, is now accepting applications for its Full Time Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.

The bursary is for unemployed young people aged 18 to 35 who live in the Free State Province. Current Grade 12 learners can apply, and so can students who have already been accepted or enrolled at a recognised higher education institution.

Check if you qualify before you apply

This is meant to be real study support. The official 2027 advertisement says funding can include tuition, accommodation, prescribed textbooks and learning devices, meals, transport and a monthly living allowance, where applicable.

The programme also gives priority to fields linked to skills shortages in the Free State. These include STEM, finance and commerce, economics and accounting, psychology, social sciences, aviation, public governance and developmental studies.

Applications close on 13 November 2026 at 16:00, according to the official advertisement.

Quick overview: Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027

What does the Free State Provincial Government Bursary cover?

One of the main features of this programme is the range of study costs it may help with.

According to the official advertisement, the bursary helps cover the full cost of study, including:

• Tuition fees.
• Accommodation, where applicable.
• Prescribed textbooks and learning aid devices, where applicable.
• Meals.
• Transport, where applicable.
• A monthly living allowance, where applicable.

The phrase where applicable appears again and again. Do not assume that every student gets every allowance at the same level.

If you are successful, check your bursary award conditions for the exact expenses and amounts approved for you.

Who can apply for the Free State Government Bursary?

The Office of the Premier has published several minimum requirements.

You must be a South African citizen and live in the Free State Province.

You must be between 18 and 35 years old and study towards a Degree or Diploma in one of the priority fields set by the programme.

You must study at a recognised and accredited university or university of technology in South Africa.

There are also personal and funding conditions.

The advertisement says that an applicant:

• Must be unemployed.
• Must be willing to work in the related service sectors.
• Must not receive another form of government funding.
• May get preference if they come from a previously disadvantaged background.

Treat these as official programme requirements, not general advice.

Can Grade 12 learners apply?

Yes. The 2027 advertisement says current Grade 12 learners can apply, as well as students who have already been accepted or enrolled at a higher education institution.

Applying for a bursary and applying for university admission are two separate processes.

As a Grade 12 learner, you should work on both at the same time.

Follow this order: university application, then admission or provisional admission, then bursary applications, then the funding outcome.

If you have not decided where to study, use the university explorer tool to look at South African universities, programmes, APS and subject requirements, application information and funding guidance. The explorer currently covers 26 public universities and universities of technology.

For Free State students, there is also a detailed University of the Free State 2027 explorer. It covers UFS programmes, APS requirements and other admission information.

Priority fields of study for 2027

The Free State Provincial Government says these fields will be prioritised to address skills shortages in the province.

1. STEM

This covers Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

STEM is a broad category, not a single qualification. It can include paths in areas such as engineering, computer science, information technology, mathematics, statistics and various natural sciences.

Before you pick a programme just because it falls under STEM, use the career and qualification explorer to look at the actual occupation and the recognised qualifications linked to it.

The explorer currently holds 1,511 OFO careers and 22,667 SAQA qualification records. You can look at occupations, NQF levels, credits and links between careers and qualifications.

1. Commercial-related studies

Commercial qualifications can lead to very different careers, including business management, finance, banking, marketing, human resources, supply chain management and other business jobs.

Check that your exact programme falls within the provincial government's funded priorities. Do not assume every business qualification qualifies.

1. Finance, economics and accounting

These fields may be especially relevant if you are interested in careers such as:

Accountant, then Auditor, then Economist, then Financial Analyst, then Financial Manager, then Investment Professional, then Public Finance Professional.

Again, the qualification matters.

Use the career and qualification explorer to look at the recognised South African qualification paths linked to the job you are considering.

1. Psychology-related studies

Psychology can lead to several different academic and professional paths.

Research the full education path before you enrol. This matters most where a career may later need postgraduate study, professional registration or supervised training.

1. Social sciences

The bursary also names Social Sciences as a priority area.

Social Sciences covers many disciplines, so confirm that your specific qualification meets the programme's requirements.

1. Aviation studies

Aviation is another priority area named in the programme.

This matters because aviation is more than becoming a pilot. The sector includes technical, operational, engineering, safety, logistics, management and other specialised jobs.

Look into the exact qualification and career path before you apply.

1. BAdmin, public governance and developmental studies

Several Bachelor of Administration, public governance and developmental studies pathways are also prioritised.

These qualifications may suit you if you are interested in public administration, local government, policy, development, governance and related public sector careers.

Choose the career before you choose the bursary

Do not make a long term study decision just because a qualification appears on a bursary list.

Start with the job.

Ask yourself: what do I actually want to become?

Then look into:

Career, then recognised qualification, then university, then admission requirements, then bursary, then workplace path.

The career and qualification explorer was built to help South Africans look at how careers and qualifications connect.

Once you know the career, use the university explorer to find where the right Degree or Diploma is offered.

This helps you avoid choosing a qualification only because funding is available.

What about Free State TVET College students?

There is an important difference here.

The official 2027 advertisement says applicants must study towards a Degree or Diploma at a recognised and accredited university or university of technology in South Africa.

It does not say that ordinary TVET College programmes qualify.

Do not assume you qualify for this bursary unless the Free State Provincial Government confirms that your qualification and institution are eligible.

If you prefer vocational or occupational paths, you can use the TVET college explorer.

The explorer covers all 50 public TVET Colleges, with programmes, campuses, entry requirements and application resources. Free State institutions in the explorer include Flavius Mareka TVET College, Goldfields TVET College, Maluti TVET College and Motheo TVET College.

TVET students can also look at bursaries, apprenticeships, workplace experience and occupational programmes through the SETA platform.

Do not overlook SETA funding and skills opportunities

A provincial government bursary should not be your only funding plan.

South Africa's SETAs work across different sectors of the economy. They may support bursaries, learnerships, apprenticeships, internships, occupational qualifications, skills programmes and workplace experience.

The SETA platform brings together all 21 South African SETAs and more than 1,000 programme records, including dedicated bursary and funding paths.

This is especially useful if you want to link your studies to a future industry.

For example:

Engineering student: look at relevant engineering and manufacturing SETA paths.

ICT student: look at digital and ICT skills paths.

Public administration student: look at public sector skills paths.

Aviation student: look at transport and aviation related paths.

Think beyond the qualification itself. Look at how it connects to workplace experience and employment.

Also apply for NSFAS for 2027 where you qualify

If you are eligible, do not overlook NSFAS just because you are applying for bursaries.

The NSFAS applications for 2027 complete funding guide explains the university and TVET funding process. It also shows how funding decisions link to university applications, qualification research and other bursary opportunities.

This Free State bursary has an important condition. Its advertisement says applicants must not receive another form of government funding.

If you apply for several funding schemes, disclose your information accurately and check the rules for each offer you receive. Applying for funding and actually holding two forms of incompatible government funding are not the same thing. Ask the relevant funders to confirm if this happens.

How to apply for the Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027

Applications are completed through the Free State Provincial Government's online bursary application platform.

Apply online for the Free State Provincial Government Full Time Bursary Programme 2027

Complete your application carefully and attach all documents needed for your situation.

The advertisement warns applicants to submit all required documents before the closing date.

Do not send an incomplete application just to meet the deadline.

Before you submit your application

Follow this order:

1. Identify your intended career. Use the career and qualification explorer to understand the job and the recognised qualification path.
2. Confirm that your field falls within the bursary's priorities. Do not rely only on a broad category such as STEM or Social Sciences if your exact qualification is unclear.
3. Check your institution. The advertisement requires study at a recognised and accredited university or university of technology.
4. Confirm your admission status. Grade 12 learners should keep their university applications separate.
5. Prepare every supporting document the application system asks for. Make sure scans are readable and your information is consistent.
6. Complete the official online application. Check every field before you submit.
7. Keep proof. Save any confirmation, reference number, email or screenshot that shows a successful submission.
8. Keep applying for other funding you genuinely qualify for. Do not depend on one bursary.

Support for successful bursary recipients

The advertisement suggests that support does not always end once funding is awarded.

Funded students may get support from the Student Liaison and Support Unit, which offers academic and emotional support.

The Stakeholder Support Unit helps coordinate between the programme and higher education institutions.

This suggests the programme is built around both funding and student support during study.

Latest 2027 bursaries and funding opportunities

Build a wider funding plan instead of relying on one application.

The recently published Samancor Chrome Bursary Programme 2027 covers several mining, engineering, geology, safety and environmental disciplines for qualifying Grade 12 learners and university students.

The SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme 2027 offers substantial funding to qualifying applicants from specified beneficiary communities. It includes registration and tuition, accommodation, study materials, a laptop and a monthly stipend.

If you are interested in environmental careers, look at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary Programme 2027. It covers environmental science, engineering, marine sciences, GIS, conservation and related fields.

Also use the NSFAS applications for 2027 funding guide to understand the wider public higher education funding process.

Useful tools

See other employment opportunities

Need help?

Treat this as three applications happening together:

Career decision, then university application, then funding applications.

Do not wait for a bursary result before applying to university. Do not choose an unsuitable qualification just because it appears on a bursary priority list.

Start with the career and qualification explorer. Find the job you want and look into the qualifications linked to it.

Then use the university explorer to see where you could study and what admission requirements apply.

If your route is vocational or occupational rather than university based, look at the TVET college explorer and the SETA platform instead.

Finally, apply for every legitimate funding opportunity you actually meet the requirements for. A bursary application never guarantees funding.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is the Free State Provincial Government Bursary for 2027 open?

Yes. The official advertisement says applications for the 2027 Full Time Bursary Programme are open.

1. Who can apply?

The programme is for unemployed South African youth aged 18 to 35 who live in the Free State Province and meet the programme's other academic, institution, study field and funding requirements.

1. Can Grade 12 learners apply?

Yes. Current Grade 12 learners are specifically included in the advertisement.

1. Can existing university students apply?

Yes. Students who have already been accepted or enrolled at a higher education institution may apply, as long as they meet the other requirements.

1. What qualifications are funded?

Applicants must study towards a Degree or Diploma in one of the identified priority study areas at a recognised and accredited university or university of technology in South Africa.

1. Does the bursary cover accommodation?

Accommodation is listed among the costs that may be funded where applicable.

1. Is there a monthly allowance?

Yes. A monthly living allowance is listed, where applicable.

1. Can an NSFAS-funded student receive this bursary at the same time?

The advertisement says applicants must not receive another form of government funding. If you have applied for or receive another government funding offer, confirm the rules with the programme before you accept overlapping funding.

1. When do applications close?

The advertisement gives a closing date and time of 13 November 2026 at 16:00.

1. Where do I apply?

Use the official Free State Provincial Government online bursary application portal.

1. Who can I contact about the bursary?

The advertisement lists an email address and two telephone numbers for enquiries. Find them in the official advertisement.

You can also:

Disclaimer

This site is not the Free State Provincial Government or the Office of the Premier. It does not run the Full Time Bursary Programme, receive applications, shortlist applicants, choose beneficiaries or award funding.

This article is an independent opportunity explainer based mainly on the official Free State Provincial Government Full Time Bursary Programme 2027 advertisement, together with extra education, career, qualification and funding research.

Use the official advertisement and application system as the final authority on eligibility, required documents, funding conditions and application steps.

Never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee a government bursary, university admission or preferred selection.

Editorial integrity

The age requirement, Free State residency requirement, unemployment condition, institution requirements, priority study fields, funding coverage, government funding restriction, student support information, contact details and closing date in this article come from the official 2027 Free State Provincial Government bursary advertisement.

Information about career planning, the career and qualification explorer, university explorer, TVET college explorer, SETA platform, NSFAS guide and recently published bursaries is extra guidance to help applicants make informed education and funding decisions.

Where the official advertisement does not state a requirement or funding amount, this article does not present an assumption as an official condition.

Closing date: 13 November 2026 at 16:00.

This publisher is a registered non-profit organisation, NPO No: 232-182, and public benefit organisation (PBO): 930066984. It does not, in any way or form, ask people for money or CVs for jobs. Be aware of fake job postings and recruitment fraud. Use the scam detector tool to spot a scam before you apply.

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