Free State Provincial Government. The Free State Office of the Premier is inviting eligible students to apply for the Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year. The programme is aimed at South African students living in the Free State who need financial assistance to pursue full-time studies at recognised higher education institutions.
The bursary supports students studying towards selected degree and diploma qualifications, particularly in fields where skills are considered important to the province.
Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027 Closing Date
Applications close on 13 November 2026 at 16:00.
Students who meet the requirements are encouraged to prepare their supporting documents early because late applications will not be accepted.
What Is the Free State Provincial Government Bursary?
The Free State Provincial Government Bursary is offered through the Office of the Premier to assist eligible students with the costs associated with higher education.
The programme is designed to contribute towards the development of skills required in the Free State by supporting students who are studying in selected critical and scarce-skills fields.
Applicants must be residents of the Free State province and must meet the programme’s age, financial, academic and study requirements.
The bursary is available to unemployed applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 who are studying or planning to study full-time at a recognised university or university of technology in South Africa.
Preference may be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fields Covered by the Bursary
The Free State Provincial Government Bursary supports selected degree and diploma programmes. The advertised fields include:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Finance
- Economics
- Accounting
- Psychology-related studies
- Social Sciences
- Aviation Studies
- Bachelor of Administration programmes
- Public Governance
- Developmental Studies
Students should confirm that their intended qualification falls within one of the approved fields before submitting their application.
What Does the Bursary Cover?
Successful applicants may receive financial assistance for several study-related expenses.
Depending on the applicable bursary conditions and the student’s circumstances, funding may cover:
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
- Learning aid devices, where applicable
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transport
- Monthly living allowance
Applicants should note that not every student will necessarily receive the same benefits. The type and level of financial support may depend on the relevant bursary conditions.
Additional Support for Bursary Recipients
Financial assistance is not the only support available through the programme. Bursary recipients may also receive assistance intended to help them progress successfully through their studies.
The Student Liaison and Support Unit provides academic and emotional support to beneficiaries.
The Stakeholder Support Unit helps coordinate communication and relationships between bursary recipients and higher education institutions.
This additional support can help students manage some of the challenges associated with studying at university or a university of technology.
Who Qualifies for the Free State Bursary 2027?
Applicants must meet the programme’s minimum requirements before submitting an application.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be a resident of the Free State province.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be currently completing Matric or have completed Matric.
- Have a total household income of less than R600,000 per year.
- Be studying or intending to study full-time.
- Be pursuing an eligible degree or diploma.
- Have acceptance at a recognised and accredited South African higher education institution.
- Study at a university or university of technology.
- Not receive another form of government funding.
- Be unemployed.
- Be willing to work within the relevant service sectors.
Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Household Income Requirement
One of the important requirements is the household income threshold. Applicants must have a combined household income of less than R600,000 per year.
Applicants are required to provide documents proving household income along with their application.
Depending on the applicant’s family circumstances, acceptable proof may include recent payslips, an affidavit confirming unemployment, proof of SASSA grant payments or proof of pension income.
Where payslips are used, they should generally not be older than three months.
Documents Required for the Application
Applicants must submit the completed application form together with clear copies of the required supporting documents.
The required documents include:
- Certified copy of the applicant’s ID
- Certified September Matric results for applicants currently in Matric
- Certified Matric certificate for applicants who have already completed Matric
- Proof of acceptance from a registered higher education institution
- Proof of residence that is not older than three months
- Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents
- Death certificates of parents or guardians, where applicable
- Proof of household income for parents or guardians
Applications missing compulsory documents may be considered incomplete and could be disqualified.
Where Can You Get the Application Form?
Applicants must use the prescribed Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form.
The application form may also be available from the following locations:
- Office of the Premier – FSTDI
- OR Tambo Building
- Thusong Centres
- Central University of Technology
- University of the Free State
Applicants should carefully complete every section of the form and make sure that the information provided is accurate.
How to Apply for the Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027
The application process requires applicants to hand deliver their completed applications.
Applications should be submitted at:
FSTDI Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive
Westdene
Bloemfontein
9301
Applications should be delivered to the Bursary Unit at the reception area.
Before submitting the application, applicants should make sure that the form has been fully completed and that all compulsory supporting documents are attached.
Free State Bursary Selection Process
After the closing date, applications will be assessed according to the programme’s requirements.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
According to the supplied bursary information, shortlisted candidates should be contacted within four months after the application closing date.
Applicants who do not receive feedback within four months should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Application Checklist
Before delivering your application, make sure you have checked all the important requirements.
Your application should include:
- A fully completed application form
- Certified ID copy
- Matric results or Matric certificate
- Proof of acceptance at a recognised institution
- Recent proof of residence
- Parents’ or guardians’ identification documents
- Household-income documentation
- Any applicable death certificates
- All required certified copies
It is also advisable to keep a copy of the completed application and supporting documents for your own records.
Free State Provincial Government Bursary Closing Date 2027
The closing date for the Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027 is:
13 November 2026 at 16:00
Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until the final day and submit their applications well before the deadline.
Contact Details
Students who need further information about the bursary programme can contact the Free State Office of the Premier.
Telephone: 065 742 5935 / 060 533 4702
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: 07:30 – 16:00
Applicants who need assistance with the application form can also visit:
Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Street
Bloemfontein
Postal Address
Free State Office of the Premier
Bursary Section
Private Bag X20565
Bloemfontein
9300
Conclusion
The Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027 provides an opportunity for qualifying Free State residents to receive financial assistance while pursuing selected degree or diploma programmes. Students who meet the citizenship, residency, age, income and study requirements should prepare their documents carefully and submit their completed applications before 13 November 2026 at 16:00
