Corporate Bursaries From Sasol Nedbank Vodacom And Eskom Target Scarce Skills For 2027

As university application season gains momentum across South Africa, one question continues to dominate conversations among learners and parents alike: what bursaries are available for 2027?

With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, bursaries remain one of the most important tools for helping students access tertiary education without taking on long-term debt.

From government-funded programmes to corporate bursaries and industry-specific funding opportunities, South African students have more options available than many realise.

The challenge is often not a lack of opportunities, but knowing where to find them and applying on time.

NSFAS Remains The Largest Funding Source

For many students, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) remains the first funding option to explore.

NSFAS provides funding for eligible students studying at public universities and TVET colleges, covering tuition, accommodation, transport, learning materials and living allowances.

To qualify, students generally need to come from households earning R350,000 or less per year, while the threshold for students living with disabilities is higher.

Applications for 2027 funding are expected to open later in 2026, with students encouraged to prepare supporting documents well in advance.

Support For The Missing Middle

While NSFAS assists lower-income households, many families fall into what has become known as South Africa’s “missing middle” category.

These are students whose household income is too high to qualify for NSFAS, but not high enough to comfortably afford university fees.

The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) was created to address this gap.

For 2027, ISFAP continues to offer bursary support that may cover tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks and living expenses for qualifying students studying at participating public universities.

The programme primarily targets households earning up to R600,000 per year.

As affordability pressures continue to affect middle-income households, programmes such as ISFAP are becoming increasingly important in South Africa’s higher education landscape.

Corporate Bursaries Remain Highly Competitive

Many of South Africa’s largest companies continue to invest heavily in bursary programmes aimed at developing future talent in scarce and critical skills sectors.

Among the major bursaries expected to be available for 2027 are:

Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme

Nedbank External Bursary Programme

IDC External Bursary Scheme

Vodacom Bursary Programme

Eskom Bursary Programme

Transnet Bursary Programme

Old Mutual Actuarial Bursary Programme

Allan Gray Fellowship and bursary opportunities

Many of these programmes focus on fields such as engineering, science, technology, data science, commerce, finance and actuarial studies, reflecting South Africa’s ongoing demand for skills in these sectors.

In most cases, academic performance remains one of the biggest selection criteria, alongside financial need and leadership potential.

Teaching, Healthcare And Scarce Skills Funding

Students pursuing careers in education, healthcare and other critical sectors also have access to specialised funding opportunities.

The Funza Lushaka Bursary continues to be one of the country's most recognised teaching bursaries, supporting students who plan to enter the education profession.

Applications for the 2027 cycle are expected to open later in 2026.

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) also continue to fund students in scarce-skills fields linked to their respective industries.

Programmes offered through organisations such as MICT SETA and other SETAs support qualifications aligned with South Africa’s workforce development priorities.

These opportunities often extend beyond traditional university degrees and may include TVET qualifications, diplomas and vocational programmes.

The Importance Of Applying Early

One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting until matric results are released before looking for funding.

In reality, many bursary applications close months before final matric results become available.

Some programmes begin accepting applications as early as April or May, while others close between August and October.

Students are therefore encouraged to research opportunities during Grade 11 and the beginning of Grade 12, rather than waiting until the end of the year.

Strong academic results, leadership involvement, community participation and well-prepared application documents can significantly improve a student's chances of success.

More Opportunities Than Many Students Realise

South Africa’s bursary landscape extends far beyond the most well-known funding programmes.

There are hundreds of bursaries available across sectors including engineering, healthcare, education, law, information technology, commerce, agriculture, mining, media, science and the creative industries.

The reality is that many funding opportunities go underutilised each year because students are either unaware of them or miss application deadlines.

Looking Ahead To 2027

As South Africa continues working towards greater access to higher education, bursaries remain one of the most effective ways to help students overcome financial barriers.

For learners planning to study in 2027, now is the time to start researching funding opportunities, tracking opening dates and preparing application documents.

The earlier students begin the process, the better their chances of securing funding and turning their study goals into reality.

For more information, visit https://fundiconnect.co.za.