Free State Office of the Premier invites South African students to apply for Bursary Programme 2025 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 January 2025.
About the Bursary Programme
The Free State Provincial Government, through the Office of the Premier, offers bursaries to students residing in the Free State Province. The programme focuses on developing skills critical to the province’s economy and supporting economic reconstruction and recovery.
Fields of Study
Bursaries will be awarded for studies in the following critical and scarce skills areas:
- Commercial: BAcc, BCom (Accounting/Economics), Actuarial Science, etc.
- Psychological Studies: Clinical, forensic, developmental psychology (Early Childhood Development focus).
- STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
- Provincial Work Skills Plan fields.
- Skills for Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
Eligibility Categories
- Category A – Top Achievers:
- Must be identified as a top-performing learner by the Free State Department of Education.
- Household income: less than R600,000 annually.
- Category B – Missing Middle:
- Annual household income: between R350,000 and R600,000.
- Category C – Marginalised Students:
- Annual household income: less than R70,000.
- Must be SASSA-dependent or from households without breadwinners.
Common Requirements for All Categories:
- South African citizenship.
- Reside in the Free State.
- Age: 18–35 years.
- Matric qualification.
- Acceptance to study full-time in an accredited HEI in South Africa.
- No existing bursaries or sponsorships.
Bursary Benefits
- Tuition fees (registration and semester/annual fees).
- Accommodation (double room).
- Meals.
- Study materials and books.
- Special equipment required for studies, including resources for disabled students (on request and approval).
How to apply
- Application Form: Download and complete the Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form 2025 (.pdf).
- Supporting Documents:
- Certified ID copy.
- Matric certificate/results.
- Proof of acceptance to a recognised HEI.
- Proof of residence (not older than 3 months).
- Parents/guardians’ certified ID copies and proof of income.
- Motivational letter.
- Additional proof if previously funded.
- Submission Address:
FSTDI Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301
(Bursary Unit at Reception Area)
Important Dates
- Closing Date: 31 January 2025 (16:00).
Late applications will not be considered.