ABOUT THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY PROGRAMME

Funza Lushaka bursary is a teaching bursary which means it’s a bursary reserved for those studying to become teachers. The Department of Education in South Africa is therefore inviting students to apply for the prestigious Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, for the 2023 academic year.

Funza Lushaka Bursary Application 2023

Each year, students who are studying to become teachers, are invited to apply for the bursary. The Funza Lushaka Bursary will fund 2 types of qualifications (which must include subjects that will allow the student to specialise as a teacher in a minimum of 2 priority subject areas):

Undergraduate studies: a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (BEd), which specialises in any of the following: Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to Grade 6) or Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7 to Grade 12).

Graduate studies: a 1-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for graduates pursuing degrees with two priority subjects (1 module or course must have been completed or studied at 3rd year level, 1 priority subject must have been completed or studied at 2nd year level)
Only the PGCE for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (SPFET) (Grade 7 to Grade 12) will be funded.

How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary

Applications for the Funza Lushaka bursary for 2022 will open on 01/10/2022. New applications close on 01/02/2023. Re-applications for Existing/Returning Bursars close on 29/11/2022. To access, register and apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary the following 9 easy steps should be followed:
NOTE: All first time applicants must be 30 years or younger to apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary.

How to Apply for the First time

NOTE: All first time applicants must be 30 years or younger to apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary.

  1. Open the e-Gov portal at www.eservices.gov.za
  2. Register by providing personal information
  3. Login to the system using user name and password created when registering
  4. On the e-Services Menu select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme
  5. Enter the OTP received on the preferred channel
  6. Accept the Terms and Conditions
  7. On the dashboard menu click on the 2022 application button
  8. Follow the steps to complete the required field with your information
  9. Accept the declaration to confirm the information captured

Bursary Requirements and Eligibility

In order to apply to the funza bursary online you should meet the below minimum entry requirements:

  • South African citizen
  • Good academic performance
  • Graduates who want to complete a teaching degree or want to become teachers (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and have already been accepted at an accredited public University.
  • Applicants who want to make a career change and become teachers in this country, show dedication and passion for a professional career in teaching, display interest in working with young people, are ready to face and handle difficult challenges and have personal integrity.
  • Higher Education Institution employees, their spouse and their dependents/children are not eligible.
  • Two of the priority area subjects must be included as a specialisation in the teaching qualification.

For 1st time entrants to university:

  • Proof of admission to bachelor’s degree studies pass at matric/Grade 12 level.
  • Minimum level 4 rating at matric level in the subject which the applicant will specialize to teach.
  • A pass in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at Grade 12 level and a minimum level 4 pass in the Home Language, for students who intend to specialize in the Foundation Phase
  • Average of at least 50% for students who have completed matric prior to 2008 when Mathematics was not compulsory
  • At least level 4 pass in Mathematics, for students who wish to specialize in the teaching of Technology subjects, including CAT, and who do not have these subjects at matric level

For new applicants already at university:

  • Passed all of the modules studied in the last/most recent year of study at the Higher Education Institution
  • Minimum 55% average across all the modules studied in the last/most recent year of study at a Higher Education Institution
  • Minimum 55% average in modules studied relevant to the priority area teaching specialization in the last/most recent year of study at university

For new applicants enrolling for PGCE:

  • Successful completion of a recognized qualification to be admitted for a PGCE
  • Must have majored in Psychology and an African Language for a PGCE in Foundation Phase Teaching
  • Must have at least TWO recognized priority subjects at second-year level
  • Must have adequate modules in the recognized priority subjects

For existing bursary holders:

  • Passed at least two-thirds or 66.6% of all the subject modules studied in the last/most recent year of study at the university
  • Passed at least two-thirds or 66.6% of the priority subject area modules studied in the last/most recent year of study at the Higher Education Institution
  • Passed the priority subject
  • Must be proceeding to the next level/year of study
  • Must achieve at least 50% average across all subject modules