Office of the Premier Bursary 2027 Could Cover Tuition, Books and Living Costs

How to apply

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

Full details

Unemployed young people aged 18 to 35 could receive substantial support for university studies in 2027 through the Free State Provincial Government Full Time Bursary Programme. Funding can include tuition, accommodation, prescribed textbooks, learning devices, meals, transport and a monthly living allowance, with applications closing at 16:00 on 13 November 2026.

The programme is open to qualifying Grade 12 learners as well as students who have already entered higher education.

For families worried about the full cost of university - not only tuition - this is what makes the opportunity particularly important.

What is the Office of the Premier Bursary Programme?

The bursary is offered through the Free State Provincial Government’s Office of the Premier for students planning to study full-time during the 2027 academic year.

It is aimed at unemployed young people who live in the province and want to complete a Degree or Diploma in identified priority areas.

The official online application system confirms that the current application period runs from 21 September 2026 until 13 November 2026.

The programme focuses particularly on qualifications connected to scarce and critical skills needed within the province.

This is therefore not unrestricted funding for every possible university qualification.

Applicants should first confirm that their intended field falls within one of the identified priority categories.

Who can submit an application?

Several eligibility conditions need to be considered before starting the online application.

Applicants should:

• Be South African citizens
• Reside within the Free State Province
• Be between 18 and 35 years old
• Be unemployed
• Be studying, or intending to study, towards a Degree or Diploma
• Pursue a qualification within one of the identified priority areas
• Study at a recognised and accredited university or university of technology in South Africa
• Be willing to work within relevant service sectors
• Not be receiving another form of government funding

Preference may also be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Current Grade 12 learners are included in the programme, meaning applicants do not necessarily need to already be university students.

Which study fields receive priority?

The bursary is intended to help address scarce skills within the province, so particular fields are prioritised.

These include:

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
• Commercial-related studies
• Finance
• Economics
• Accounting
• Psychology-related studies
• Social Sciences
• Aviation Studies
• Bachelor of Administration programmes
• Public Governance
• Developmental Studies

Current bursary information consistently identifies these as priority areas for the 2027 funding round.

Some of these categories are broad.

For example, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics can contain many individual qualifications. The same applies to Social Sciences and commercial studies.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that every qualification loosely connected to a priority category will automatically qualify.

Your exact Degree or Diploma still matters.

If you are uncertain about your programme, use the official bursary contact details to confirm eligibility before submitting.

What costs can the bursary cover?

One of the biggest attractions of this funding opportunity is that support extends beyond university tuition.

The bursary can cover:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation, where applicable
• Prescribed textbooks
• Learning-aid devices, where applicable
• Meals
• Transport, where applicable
• A monthly living allowance, where applicable

The words “where applicable” are important.

They mean applicants should not assume that every successful student will automatically receive every benefit at the same amount. The final support will depend on the bursary conditions applicable to the successful applicant.

No fixed monthly living-allowance amount is stated in the current public information reviewed for this article.

Applicants should therefore be cautious about unofficial websites or social-media posts claiming a guaranteed monthly figure.

Can current Grade 12 learners be considered?

Yes.

The 2027 funding opportunity specifically includes learners who are currently completing Grade 12.

This means learners planning to begin university in 2027 should not assume the programme is only available to students who are already studying.

However, the bursary application and university application are separate processes.

Getting bursary funding does not replace applying for admission to a university or university of technology.

A sensible approach is:

Choose a career → identify the correct qualification → submit university applications → submit eligible bursary applications.

Do not delay your university applications while waiting for bursary results.

Can existing university students submit applications?

Yes.

Students already accepted or enrolled at a recognised higher education institution may also be considered, provided they satisfy the remaining requirements.

That includes the age, residency, employment, study-field and funding conditions.

Existing students should make sure their academic and registration information is accurate when completing the online application.

Can NSFAS-funded students receive this bursary at the same time?

Applicants need to pay particular attention to this condition.

The 2027 bursary information states that candidates must not be receiving another form of government funding.

Because the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is government-funded, students should not assume they can simultaneously hold both funding awards.

There is, however, an important distinction between applying for several funding opportunities and ultimately receiving incompatible funding from more than one government source.

If you have applied for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme or another government bursary and later receive more than one funding offer, disclose your situation and confirm the rules directly with the relevant funders before accepting overlapping support.

What should applicants prepare before starting?

Online bursary forms are easier to complete when your personal and academic information is already organised.

Before opening the application system, prepare documents and information relating to:

• Your South African identity
• Grade 12 results if you are currently at school
• Matric results if you have already completed school
• University acceptance or enrolment information where applicable
• Current academic results if already studying
• Proof of residence
• Parent or guardian information
• Household income information where requested
• Your chosen qualification and institution

The exact document checklist shown in the current online system should always be treated as the final requirement.

Make sure every uploaded document is readable.

A blurry certified copy or incomplete academic document can create an unnecessary problem even when the applicant otherwise qualifies.

Do not choose a qualification simply because it appears to fall under a funded category. Start with the career you genuinely want, check the qualification needed for that career and then confirm that the qualification fits the bursary’s priority fields. Funding matters, but so does choosing a course you can realistically complete and use.

Why should you confirm your institution before applying?

The programme is aimed at students pursuing Degrees and Diplomas at recognised and accredited universities or universities of technology in South Africa.

That wording matters.

Students considering other types of institutions should not automatically assume that they qualify.

In particular, applicants studying through a Technical and Vocational Education and Training college should confirm their eligibility directly with the bursary office rather than assuming that every Diploma automatically falls within the programme.

This simple check could prevent an unnecessary application.

Does receiving the bursary come with additional student support?

The programme information indicates that funded students may have access to more than financial assistance.

A Student Liaison and Support Unit is intended to provide academic and emotional support, while a Stakeholder Support Unit helps coordinate relationships with higher education institutions.

That can be important for students adjusting to university life or dealing with administrative issues involving their funding.

A bursary becomes more useful when students can also access support aimed at helping them remain academically successful.

How can applicants submit their information?

Applications for the 2027 programme are completed through the provincial government’s online bursary application system.

Candidates who meet the requirements can register and proceed through the official online bursary application portal.

The system requires users to create an account before completing their application.

Applications opened on 21 September 2026 and remain open until 13 November 2026.

Do not create several accounts unnecessarily.

Use an email address that you check regularly and keep your login details secure in case you need to return to the portal.

When is the closing date?

The closing date is:

13 November 2026 at 16:00

The official online system confirms that the application window ends on 13 November 2026.

Applicants should avoid submitting during the final few hours.

Government application systems can become busy near major deadlines, and waiting until the last afternoon leaves very little time to correct missing documents or technical problems.

Aim to complete your application several days earlier if possible.

How can applicants get assistance?

The published bursary contact information includes:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 065 742 5935 / 060 533 4702

When contacting the bursary office, keep your question specific.

For example, if you are unsure whether your qualification falls within a broad priority category, provide the full official name of the qualification and institution rather than simply asking whether “business” or “science” is covered.

What should you check before pressing submit?

Before finalising the application, check that:

• Your identity details are correct
• You meet the 18 - 35 age requirement
• You reside in the Free State
• Your qualification fits a priority field
• Your institution meets the programme requirements
• Your email address and cellphone number are current
• You have disclosed other government funding accurately
• Your supporting documents are complete
• Every uploaded document is readable
• Your application is submitted before 16:00 on 13 November 2026

Save any confirmation page, email or application reference number you receive.

Proof of submission can be extremely useful if you later need to make an enquiry.

Final Thoughts

The Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme 2027 could provide substantial financial support to unemployed young people who want to pursue higher education.

Its biggest advantage is the range of expenses that may be covered.

Funding can extend beyond tuition to include accommodation, textbooks, learning devices, meals, transport and a monthly living allowance where applicable.

But applicants should pay close attention to the eligibility conditions.

The programme targets South African citizens aged 18 to 35 who reside in the province, are unemployed and intend studying an eligible Degree or Diploma at a recognised university or university of technology.

Applicants also cannot be receiving another form of government funding.

The official application system is currently open, with applications closing at 16:00 on 13 November 2026.

For eligible students, the best approach is simple: check your qualification, prepare your documents early and submit well before the deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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