Funza Lushaka Bursary Application – Complete Guide
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year educational initiative funded by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa. Designed to promote teaching as a profession of choice, the bursary covers full tuition, accommodation, learning materials, and a living stipend for eligible students who register for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Priority Teaching Subjects Covered
Funza Lushaka funding is strictly multi-subject focused and targets critical teaching scarcity areas in South African public schools. Qualified applicants must specialize in at least two of the following national priority subject areas:
- Foundation Phase (Grades R–3): Foundation Phase specialization, African Languages, and Early Childhood Literacy/Numeracy.
- Intermediate & Senior Phase (Grades 4–9): Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Technology, and official South African Languages.
- FET Phase (Grades 10–12): Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Accounting, Economics, Civil/Electrical/Mechanical Technology, and Information Technology (IT).
- Inclusion & Special Needs Education: Special Needs Education specialisations across all school phases.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Funza Lushaka Bursary application, applicants must satisfy the following strict criteria set by the Department of Basic Education:
Citizenship & Age Limit
Must be a South African citizen with a valid South African ID card/number. Applicants should ideally be 30 years old or younger at the time of initial application.
Academic Performance
Minimum 60% aggregate in Grade 12 (or Level 4 pass in chosen priority subjects), or a 60%+ academic average in tertiary studies for returning education students.
Course Enrollment
Accepted or registered for an eligible 4-year BEd degree or a 1-year PGCE program at a recognized public university in South Africa.
Service Contract & Obligation (Work Placement)
Funza Lushaka is a contractual service-obligation bursary. Upon successful completion of your teaching qualification:
- Mandatory Teaching Obligation: You are contractually obligated to teach at a public school selected by a Provincial Education Department (PED) for the exact number of years you received bursary funding.
- Placement Guarantee: The Provincial Education Department handles post-graduation placement into public schools where critical subject teacher shortages exist.
- Breach of Contract: Failure to accept placement or fulfill the service obligation converts the entire bursary award into an interest-bearing loan that must be repaid in full.
Key Dates & Opening Window
| Student Category | Application Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Re-applying Students (Existing Recipients) | 01 October | 30 November |
| First-Time Applicants (Matriculants / New Univ) | 01 October | 02 February |
| Bursary Scheme Administration | Department of Basic Education (DBE) via e-Services Portal | |
Step-by-Step Online Application Guide
Follow these steps to complete your Funza Lushaka application on the official e-Services portal:
- Visit the official e-Services portal at https://www.eservices.gov.za/ or the Funza Lushaka portal at https://www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/.
- Register a user account by entering your South African ID number, email address, personal details, and a strong password.
- Log in to your e-Services dashboard and navigate to the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme tab.
- Accept the Terms and Conditions and complete all required personal, academic, and household information sections.
- Select your chosen public university and choose your specific Priority Subject Combinations.
- Upload certified copies of your ID document, Matric results / latest academic transcript, and university proof of registration or acceptance.
- Submit the application and print out the generated Application Reference Confirmation Slip for university submission and tracking.
Required Supporting Documentation
Keep these documents digitized and certified (valid within 3 months) before starting your online application:
- Certified copy of South African Identity Document (ID).
- Certified copy of National Senior Certificate (NSF/Matric result) or Grade 11/12 mid-year results.
- Official Academic Record / Transcript (for existing university students).
- Proof of acceptance or admission letter for BEd or PGCE program from an accredited South African public university.
Ready to Submit Your Funza Lushaka Application?
Apply directly on the official Department of Basic Education Funza Lushaka portal. Ensure all details and priority subject combinations are correctly filled out.
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