Government funding is the largest source of bursaries in South Africa. Start with NSFAS, then look at national departments, your provincial government, your municipality and the SETA for your field. Many municipal bursaries are only open to people who live in that area, so they are often less competitive.
Government bursaries usually come with a contract that requires you to work for the department after you graduate. Make sure you understand the obligation before you accept.
All government & municipal bursaries
73 bursaries found
Government & Municipal
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
Matric, Undergraduate
Closing soon Closes 30 Oct 2026
Government & Municipal
KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Bursary
Matric, Undergraduate
Closing soon Closes 30 Oct 2026
Government & Municipal
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Bursary
Matric, Undergraduate
Closing soon Closes 30 Oct 2026
Government & Municipal
Nkangala District Municipality Bursary
Matric, TVET & artisan, Undergraduate
Closing soon Closes 30 Oct 2026
Government & Municipal
Rustenburg Municipality Bursary
Matric
Closing soon Closes 30 Oct 2026
Government & Municipal
Garden Route District Municipality Bursary
Matric, TVET & artisan
Closing soon Closes 31 Oct 2026
Government & Municipal
Emfuleni Local Municipality Bursary
Undergraduate
Open Closes 30 Nov 2026
Government & Municipal
Alfred Nzo District Municipality Bursary
Undergraduate
Closed Usually closes in February
Government & Municipal
Breede Valley Municipality Bursary
Matric
Closed Usually closes in December
Government & Municipal
Cape Agulhas Municipality Bursary
Undergraduate
Closed Usually closes in January
Government & Municipal
City of Cape Town Bursary
Matric, TVET & artisan
Closed Usually closes in August
Government & Municipal
City of Ekurhuleni Bursary
TVET & artisan, Undergraduate
Closed Usually closes in April
Government & Municipal
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Bursary
Matric, Postgraduate, Undergraduate
Closed Usually closes in October
New to bursaries? Read how to apply for a bursary and prepare your documents before applications open.