Funza Lushaka Bursary Applications 2025: Requirements and How to Apply

Applications for the 2025 Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme are now open. This full-cost government bursary supports students who want to become teachers in high-priority fields.

This guide provides a complete walkthrough of the eligibility requirements, what the bursary covers, and how to submit your application before the deadline.

Key Application Deadlines for 2025

You must submit your application before the closing date. Late applications are not accepted.

• New Applicants: 30 November 2024
• Re-applications (Existing Bursars): 26 January 2025

What Is the Funza Lushaka Bursary?

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a government initiative from the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

Its goal is to attract talented, dedicated young people to the teaching profession. The program focuses on funding students who will teach in subject areas where South Africa has critical teacher shortages.

In return for the funding, recipients must teach at a public school for the same number of years they received the bursary.

Are You Eligible for the Funza Lushaka Bursary?

To qualify, you must meet several strict criteria.

General Requirements (All Applicants)

• Must be a South African citizen with a valid ID number.
• Must be 30 years old or younger (if applying for the first time).
• Must be accepted or provisionally accepted into an approved B.Ed. degree at a public South African university.
• Must be specializing in two or more of the designated priority subjects.
• Must have a strong academic record.
• Must not have any other teaching qualifications.
• Must not have a criminal record.
• Must be willing to teach at any public school selected by a Provincial Education Department (PED).

Academic Requirements for First-Time University Entrants

• Must have passed Matric with a Bachelor’s degree admission (exemption or endorsement).
• Foundation Phase: Must have a minimum Level 2 (30%) for Mathematics OR Level 4 (50%) for Mathematical Literacy, AND a minimum Level 4 (50%) for your Home Language.
• Intermediate Phase: Must have a minimum Level 4 (50%) for Mathematics AND a minimum Level 4 (50%) for your Home Language.
• Senior/FET Phase (Grades 7-12): Must have a minimum Level 4 (50%) in the two priority subjects you plan to specialize in.
• Technical Subjects (including CAT): Must have a minimum Level 4 (50%) in Mathematics or Technical Mathematics.

Academic Requirements for Current University Students (Re-applying)

• Must have passed all modules from the previous year of study.
• Must have achieved a minimum 55% pass average across all modules.
• Must have achieved a minimum 66.5% pass average in the modules related to your priority teaching specialization.

What the Bursary Covers (Financial Details)

The Funza Lushaka bursary is full-cost and designed to cover all necessary student expenses.

The funding covers:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation and meals
• Books and learning materials
• Teaching practice costs
• A small living allowance (if funds permit)

The total amount is capped. If your university fees are higher than the capped value, you must pay the difference.

Funded Qualifications and Priority Subjects

The bursary only funds specific qualifications and subject specializations.

Approved Qualifications

• Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) (4-year degree): Specializing in Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, or Senior/FET Phase.
• Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (B. Ed. ECCE) (4-year degree): For ECD Grade RR – R.

Priority Subject Areas

• Foundation Phase (Grades R–3): Preference for specializing in South African Indigenous Languages.
• Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6): Specializing in Languages, Natural Sciences, and Technology.
• Senior/FET Phase (Grades 7–12): Specializing in subjects like Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Computer Applications Technology (CAT), Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD).

What Is NOT Funded in 2025

The program will NOT fund certain qualifications or subjects:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• Extended or part-time programs
• Subjects considered oversupplied, such as History, Geography, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, and Physical Education.
• English and Afrikaans (as home language specializations).
• Subjects with low school uptake, like Music, Art, Dance, or Religious Studies.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Online

You must submit your application online through the e-Gov portal. Hard copy applications are not accepted.

1. Go to the e-Government Portal website.
2. Register a new account or log in with your existing username and password.
3. On the e-Services Menu, select “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme.”
4. Enter the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your phone or email.
5. Read and accept the Terms and Conditions.
6. On your dashboard, click the “2025 application” button.
7. Fill out all the required fields accurately.
8. Read and accept the final declaration to confirm your details are correct.

The Service Commitment: Your Contractual Obligation

Accepting the Funza Lushaka bursary means you are entering a legal contract.

You are obligated to teach at a public school (not a private school) for one year for every year you received funding.

Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) will place you in a school based on their needs.

If you fail to complete your studies, fail to accept a teaching position, or leave the profession before your contract is over, you must repay the full amount of the bursary with interest.

Selection and Renewal Process

Receiving the bursary is not automatic. Selection is competitive and based on academic merit and the need for teachers in specific subjects.

The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time. All recipients must re-apply each year to renew their funding.

Renewal depends on maintaining satisfactory academic progress (as listed in the requirements above).

Important Application Tips

• Apply early. Do not wait for the 30 November 2024 deadline.
• Ensure you have a valid student number. You must be accepted or provisionally accepted at a university before applying for the bursary.
• Double-check that your chosen B.Ed. specialization includes two or more of the priority subjects.
• Prepare your documents in advance (certified ID copy, Matric results, university acceptance letter). You will need to submit these to your university’s Funza Lushaka office.
• Make sure all information you enter is correct before you submit.

Funza Lushaka Bursary Contact Details

For all questions about the bursary, you should first contact the Funza Lushaka academic or administrative coordinators at your university.

For general inquiries, you can contact the Department of Basic Education.

• Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za
• Phone: 012 357 3000