Funza Lushaka Bursary South Africa 2025

 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION

The Department of Basic Education deals with schools throughout South Africa, from Grade R to 12 and adult literacy programmes. The DBE was formerly part of the National Department of Education before it split into two: the DBE (Department of Basic Education) and DHE (Department of Higher Education)

The departments goal is to create a sustainable South African education system for the 21st century – one where all learners have access to learning, training and education. Their vision is that the education system will improve the quality of life for all South Africans and create a peaceful, prosperous and democratic country.
 

ABOUT THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Department of Education is inviting students to apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, for the 2025 academic year.

Each year, the Funza Lushaka Bursary is awarded for students towards the following Teaching qualifications:

There are 2 types of qualifications can be funded – the qualification must include subjects which will allow the student to specialise as a teacher in at least 2 Priority Subject Areas (which are identified by provinces and the Departments of Basic Education as subjects where teachers are required in the sector for teaching purposes).

The bursary will fund Undergraduate studies, towards the following teaching qualifications:

  • 4-year Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (B. Ed. ECCE) for ECD Grade RR – R.
  • 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (B.Ed.), specialising in one of the following: Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6) and Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7-12).

Please note:

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) will not be funded in 2025.
  • The Funza Lushaka Bursary will NOT fund the following subjects: History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies and Physical Education (these are in the DBE unemployment database and are regarded as being in oversupply).
  • The Funza Lushaka Bursary will fund South African Indigenous Languages (excluding English and Afrikaans, as they are regarded as being in oversupply).
  • The Funza Lushaka Bursary will NOT fund subjects with low uptake in schools: Religious Studies, Music, Dance, Art.
  • Combinations of Language and one content are discouraged as they disadvantage schools during timetabling (the teacher can only teach one subject).

 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

MORE ABOUT THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED, RENEWAL & SERVICE CONTRACT

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, books and learning materials, accommodation, meals, teaching practice and if possible, and a small allowance for monthly living expenses depending on the cost of tuition.

Bursaries are awarded for 1 academic year at a time and students are required to reapply for funding each year. Renewal of the bursary is NOT guaranteed, but is dependent on students academic performance.

After graduation, bursary recipients must apply for teaching positions in public schools after qualifying, within 6 months after graduating. Students must teach for 1 year for each year of funding received.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the Funza Lushaka Bursary.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must have a valid South African ID number
  • You must be 30 years old or younger, if applying for the first time (on 1 October 2024)
  • You must have been accepted into an approved BEd degree programme and specialise in two or more of the priority subject areas (extended programmes are NOT covered)
  • You must have been accepted to study at a public university in South Africa
  • You must have a strong academic record
  • You must be willing to teach at any school, as selected by the Provincial Education Department (PED)
  • You must be interested in working with young people; be enthusiastic for a professional career in teaching; and be ready to face and surmount difficult challenges with integrity
  • You must NOT have any other teaching qualifications
  • You must NOT have a criminal record
  • You must read the Funza Lushaka Bursary Information before applying

First time university entrants must also meet the following criteria:

  • You must have passed Matric with an exemption, endorsement or bachelor degree admission
  • You must have achieved a minimum of level 4 (50%) in Matric for 2 subjects you intend on specialising to teach
  • Students who will specialise in Foundation Phase: you must have achieved a minimum level 2 (30%) pass for Mathematics OR a minimum level 4 (50%) pass for Mathematical Literacy AND a minimum of level 4 (50%) pass for your Home Language in Matric
  • Students who will specialise in Intermediate Phase: you must have achieved a minimum level 4 (50%) pass for Mathematics AND a minimum of level 4 (50%) pass for your Home Language in Matric
  • Students who will specialise in Intermediate Phase: you must specialise in 2 of the following: Indigenous South African Language subjects, Natural Science and Technology, if you completed Mathematics in Matric
  • Students who will specialise in Intermediate Phase: you must specialise in Indigenous South African Language subject, Natural Science and Technology, if you completed Language, Physical Science and Life Science level 4 pass and level 5 (60%) pass for Mathematics Literacy in Matric
  • Students who will specialise in Senior/FET phase: you must have achieved a Matric pass with endorsement/ Grade 12 pass with bachelor’s, with a minimum pass of level 4 (50%) in two priority subject areas
  • Students who will specialise in Senior/FET phase, in the teaching of Technical subjects, including Computer Applications Technology (CAT): you must have achieved a minimum of level 4 pass in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics in Matric

    • Note: if the tertiary institution’s entry requirements are higher than the bursary requirement, or vice versa, the higher requirement will apply.

    Currently funded students, already studying at university (2nd, 3rd or 4th year):

    • You must have passed all of the modules studied in the year prior to the bursary application at the Higher Education Institution which are Funza Lushaka Priority subjects Areas
    • You must have achieved a minimum 55% pass average across all the modules studied in the previous year of study at a Higher Education Institution
    • You must have achieved a minimum 66.5% pass average in modules studied in the
      applicant’s previous year of study at university which relate directly to the priority
      subject area of teaching specialisation

     

    HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY

    Applications must be submitted online at: Funza Lushaka Bursary Application 2025

    Applicants must follow these steps to submit their bursary application:
    1) Visit the e-Government Portal website
    2) Register an account by filling in your required personal details (after ticking the boxes to agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy of the e-Gov portal)
    3) Login using your selected username and password
    4) Select the “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme” on the e-Services Menu
    5) Insert the OTP you received
    6) Read and accept the Terms and Conditions
    7) Click on the “2025 application” button on the dashboard
    8) Fill in the required information
    9) Read and accept the declaration to confirm your information

    Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Funza Lushaka Bursary.

    Note: only online applications will be accepted – NO hard copy applications will be accepted.
     

    APPLICATION NOTES FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY

    • Students must read the Funza Lushaka Bursary Information before applying.
    • Students must have a valid student number when applying (this will be received after you have been accepted or provisionally accepted at university).
    • Ensure that your information submitted is correct – you will be able to access your online application to make any changes before final submission.
    • Ensure that your priority subject areas on your application for are the ones you will specialise in.
    • Academic year of study means the level you are studying (B Ed 1 is 1st year, B Ed 2 is 2nd year etc).
    • You are not allowed to change institutions after applying for the bursary.
    • Applying for the bursary does NOT automatically guarantee you will receive it.
    • Supporting documents must be submitted to your university’s Funza Lushaka office.

     

    CLOSING DATE FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY

    26 January 2025 (for re-applications/ existing or returning bursary recipients).
    30 November 2024 (for new applications).
    (Applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
     

    CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

    For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact your University Funza Lushaka academic and administrative co-ordinators directly (do NOT contact the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training or NSFAS for queries regarding the bursary, please also do not come in person to the DBE).

    Before you make an enquiry, please read the Funza Lushaka Bursary FAQ’s.

    Alternatively, you may contact the Department of Basic Education here:
    Tel: 012 357 3000
    Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za
     

    Please do NOT contact the Department of Basic Education if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

    This bursary listing was last updated in October 2024.

    SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.