Closes
30 September 2026
Value
Tuition, housing, meals, transport, laptop
Level
Undergraduate and selected Honours
For
Unemployed SA citizens under 26
Sector
Commerce, STEM, Law
Type
Full-cost
About this bursary
The Industrial Development Corporation offers full funding for tertiary studies in South Africa. The funding pays for university tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, and a computer allowance.
This programme targets young South Africans who need financial help to complete their first degree. The goal is to develop skilled professionals in high-demand technical, financial, and legal sectors across the country.
Funding is strictly reserved for full-time studies at public universities or universities of technology. Studies at private colleges or for second qualifications will not be funded.
Courses of study covered
What the bursary covers
Who can apply
You qualify if
- Applicants must hold South African citizenship and be 26 years old or younger. You need to be unemployed and either currently in matric or finished with matric. High school applicants require a minimum Admission Point Score of 75 percent, while current university students must maintain at least a 65 percent average. Funding is restricted to full-time study toward a first undergraduate degree, or honours degrees in specific subjects like law, accounting, actuarial science, and statistics. Your household income should ideally not exceed R350 000 annually, though candidates with household incomes up to R600 000 are evaluated. Preference goes to applicants with disabilities and those from Quintile 1 to 3 public schools.
- Selection includes an assessment of household financial need alongside academic merit.
You do not qualify if
- Applicants who are older than 26 years.
- Students attending private higher education institutions.
- Candidates applying for a second undergraduate qualification.
- Postgraduate applicants outside specified fields like law, CTA, actuarial science, or statistics.
- Non-South African citizens or employed individuals.
Documents you need to submit
- Certified copy of your South African identity document (not older than 3 months)
- Certified copies of Grade 11 results and Grade 12 June results for current matriculants
- Certified copy of matric certificate if completed
- Certified copy of recent academic records if not currently studying
- Certified copy of mid-year tertiary results if currently studying
- Official proof of acceptance or provisional admission on institution letterhead
- Certified copies of parents or guardians identity documents (not older than 6 months)
- Certified unabridged birth certificate if applicant and parent surnames differ
- Proof of household income including payslips, affidavits, bank statements, or SASSA grant documentation
Certification stamp dates must meet the specified three or six month limit.
How to apply
- 1Visit the official IDC bursary application portal online.
- 2Scroll down to create a new user account if you are a first-time applicant.
- 3Log into your newly created profile to access the application form.
- 4Fill in your personal, academic, and household financial details.
- 5Attach clear, certified PDF copies of all compulsory supporting documents.
- 6Review all completed sections and submit your application before the closing date.
Applications with missing supporting documents will be automatically rejected.