Closes
30 November 2026
Value
Full tuition, housing, stipend, laptop
Level
Undergraduate & Postgraduate
For
Beneficiary community residents
Type
Full-cost bursary
About this bursary
The SIOC Community Development Trust funds full-time studies for students residing in specific municipalities within the Northern Cape and Limpopo. The bursary pays for tuition, accommodation, books, a laptop, and a living allowance.
Created by the Sishen Iron Ore Company, the trust aims to lift local communities by creating educational opportunities. Students pursuing degrees, diplomas, or certificates in any academic field at public South African tertiary institutions can apply.
Special provisions are available for applicants with disabilities, including funding for necessary assistive devices. Applications open in mid-September each year.
Courses of study covered
What the bursary covers
Who can apply
You qualify if
- You must hold South African citizenship and be 35 years old or younger when applications close.
- You need to originate from or reside in Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana, Joe Morolong, Tsantsabane, or Thabazimbi municipal areas.
- You must be currently in Matric or have completed your National Senior Certificate.
- You need acceptance or provisional acceptance to study full-time at a public South African university, university of technology, or TVET college.
- Your latest academic results must reflect a minimum aggregate of 65 percent.
- Your combined gross household income must not exceed R600 000 annually before deductions.
You do not qualify if
- Applicants older than 35 at the closing date are not eligible.
- Students enrolled at private colleges or private universities will not qualify.
- Individuals living outside the designated municipal districts cannot receive this bursary.
- Applicants with a household income exceeding R600 000 per year do not qualify.
Documents you need to submit
- Certified copy of South African identity document
- Certified copy of June or prelim Matric results if currently in Grade 12
- Certified copy of Matric final certificate if completed school
- Certified copy of latest official tertiary academic transcripts if studying
- Official letter of acceptance or provisional acceptance on institutional letterhead
- Proof of household income such as payslips or unemployment affidavits
- Three consecutive months of household bank statements
- Proof of residential address such as municipal utility bills or landlord letters
- Medical certificate detailing disability status if applicable
Certified copies must be clear, unedited PDF or JPEG format, and not older than three months.
How to apply
- 1Wait for the online application portal to open in mid-September 2026.
- 2Prepare certified copies of all necessary supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- 3Access the online application form and complete all personal and academic sections.
- 4Select www.zabursaries.co.za when prompted about where you heard of the bursary.
- 5Upload clear, unencrypted copies of your supporting documents.
- 6Submit your completed online application before the deadline on 30 November 2026 at midday.
Do not password-protect your uploaded files or alter document dates.