Students hoping to secure funding for the 2027 academic year still have a few days left, but the window is closing fast. A number of provincial, municipal and corporate bursaries in South Africa close between 13 and 20 November 2026, and several end today.
The good news is that there is plenty of choice. Engineering, finance, health sciences, agriculture and the built environment are all covered. Below you’ll find every bursary still open before the 20 November cut-off, who qualifies and what each one pays for.
Bursaries Closing Today (13 November 2026)
Four bursaries close today. If one of them fits you, apply now.
Witzenberg Municipality Bursary 2027 closes at 12:00. It is open to South African citizens aged 18 to 35 who live permanently in the Witzenberg area of the Western Cape and whose combined household income is no more than R350,000 a year. It is for qualifications linked to the municipality’s scarce and critical skills.
Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027 (Office of the Premier) closes at 16:00. It covers a wide spread of fields: STEM, finance, economics, accounting, psychology, social sciences, aviation, public governance and development studies. Depending on the award, funding can include tuition, accommodation, textbooks, meals, transport and a living allowance.
Transcend Corporate Advisors Bursary 2027 is for finance and data-focused degrees such as accounting, actuarial science, statistics, data science and computer science. Only students entering their second or third year in 2027 at a public institution in Gauteng can apply. First-years are not eligible.
North West Provincial Government Bursary 2027 (the Victor Thebe Sifora Provincial Bursary Scheme) closes at 23:59. It funds engineering, health sciences, education, agriculture, finance, IT, social development, public administration and environmental sciences. Applicants must live permanently in North West and plan to study full-time at a public institution.
ABB Education Trust Bursary (Closes 14 November)
This one is for engineering students in electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering. It mainly targets Black female students going into second year or higher in 2027 with an academic average of at least 60%. Household income limits also apply. Applications close at 16:00 on 14 November 2026.
Donald White / Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Fund (Closes 15 November)
This is a small award for Western Cape learners. It is for undergraduates who went to high school in the Western Cape, with preference given to students in financial need, those involved in their communities and first-generation university students. Only two bursaries of R10,000 each are on offer. Fields include business, commerce, education, healthcare, medicine and social work.
FEM and SATI Bursaries (Close 16 November)
FEM Bursary 2027 is one of the more generous options on this list. It supports undergraduates in engineering, the built environment and health sciences. It covers full tuition, prescribed textbooks and a monthly stipend, and FEM may also fund accommodation and meals.
South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) Bursary 2027 closes at 23:59. It is for agriculture students in viticulture and oenology, plant and soil sciences, crop production and grapevine sciences. Both undergraduates and postgraduates can apply. Postgraduates may need to include a research proposal.
Ruwacon Bursary (Closes 20 November)
Ruwacon is the last bursary on this list to close. It is for built-environment students in civil engineering, construction management, project management, quantity surveying and surveying. You must be in second year, third year or postgraduate study in 2027. The application asks for your ID, academic results, a CV, a personal introduction and answers to three questions.
Quick Guide: Closing Dates at a Glance
| Bursary | Closing date | Main fields | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witzenberg Municipality | 13 Nov, 12:00 | Municipal scarce skills | Witzenberg resident, aged 18–35 |
| Free State Provincial Government | 13 Nov, 16:00 | STEM, Finance, Social Sciences, Aviation | Free State resident, aged 18–35 |
| Transcend Corporate Advisors | 13 Nov | Accounting, Finance, Data Science, IT | 2nd/3rd year in Gauteng |
| North West Provincial Government | 13 Nov, 23:59 | Engineering, Health, Education, Agriculture | North West resident |
| ABB Education Trust | 14 Nov, 16:00 | Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering | 60% average, 2nd year+ |
| Donald White / Ndwanya Fund | 15 Nov | Commerce, Education, Health, Social Work | Western Cape high school |
| FEM | 16 Nov | Engineering, Built Environment, Health Sciences | SA undergraduate |
| SATI | 16 Nov, 23:59 | Viticulture, Plant & Soil Science | Undergrad or postgrad |
| Ruwacon | 20 Nov | Civil Engineering, QS, Construction | 2nd year, 3rd year or postgrad |
A Warning About NSFAS Deadlines
You may see social media posts and bursary lists saying NSFAS closes on 18 November. That was the date first announced at the launch. The official deadline was later given as 31 October, and NSFAS said there would be no extension. If you didn’t apply, don’t trust any post that says the portal is still open. Check directly with NSFAS or your institution’s financial aid office.
Missed These? A Few More Close Later in November
If none of these suits you, some bursaries close a little later. The Council for Geoscience Bursary, for geology, geophysics, GIS, data science and environmental science students, closes on 25 November. The ILASA bursary for landscape architecture students closes on 27 November.
Tips Before You Hit Submit
Get your documents ready before you start the form: certified ID, latest academic results, proof of household income and a short motivation. Read each bursary’s own advert, because province, income and year-of-study rules are strict. Be wary of anyone asking for a fee to “process” your bursary application. Real bursary providers don’t charge to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bursaries are still open until 20 November 2026?
The Ruwacon Bursary for built-environment and engineering students is open until 20 November. FEM, SATI, ABB and the Donald White / Ndwanya Fund close between 14 and 16 November.
Is NSFAS still open for 2027?
No. NSFAS said its 2027 application period closed on 31 October 2026 and would not be extended. Posts claiming 18 November are out of date.
Can first-year students apply for these bursaries?
Some of them. Provincial bursaries like Free State and North West accept new students. Transcend, ABB and Ruwacon are only for students entering second year or higher.
Do I need to pay to apply for a bursary?
No. Legitimate bursaries are free to apply for. Treat any request for an application fee as a red flag.
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