SASSETA: Unemployed Bursaries for South African Youth
The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) invites South African unemployed youth aged 18–35 who have been accepted or registered at public tertiary institutions to apply for the Discretionary Grant Unemployed Bursaries for the 2026/2027 academic year. This funding opportunity is aimed at supporting access to higher education for qualifying applicants, with priority given to studies in high-demand fields such as LLB, Veterinary Science, and STEM-related qualifications, as identified by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Applicants are required to submit a complete application with all compulsory supporting documents, including certified identification, academic records, proof of registration for 2026, and household income information. Applications must be submitted electronically within the prescribed timeframe, as late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Preference will be given to candidates from low-income and missing-middle households, as well as those from marginalised communities, subject to the availability of bursary funding.
Position: Discretionary Grant – Unemployed Bursary Programme
Duration: 2026–2027 Academic Year
Location: South Africa
Closing Date: 30 January 2026 at 23:59 (Midnight)
DISCRETIONARY GRANT – UNEMPLOYED BURSARIES 2026/2027
SASSETA (Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority)
The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) invites all unemployed South African youth aged 18–35, who are registered/accepted at Public Tertiary Institutions, for the 2026 academic year to apply for Unemployed Bursary Funding in the fields below.
AVAILABLE GRANTS FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH
While applications will be considered for all Occupations in High Demand as published by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) 2024, priority will be given to students pursuing studies in the following fields/qualifications:
| No. | Programme Name |
|---|---|
| 1. | LLB |
| 2. | Veterinary Science |
| 3. | STEM qualifications covering studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
| 4. | Balance of the target for other programmes: Bursary funding will also be allocated to other qualifications aligned with occupations in high demand and those identified in the Sector Skills Plans |
Important Note:
A comprehensive list of all eligible qualifications is available on the SASSETA advert banner for ease of reference. Applicants may only submit applications for qualifications included in this official list.
COMPULSORY DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION
- Certified ID copy of the applicant (certification stamp not older than 6 months).
- Certified copy of Matric / Statement of Results / Highest qualification (certification stamp not older than 6 months).
- Acceptance letter / Proof of Registration for 2026 at a Public Tertiary Institution.
- Certified copy of Parent/Guardian’s ID (certification stamp not older than 6 months).
- Proof of Household Income and Employment Status
- Applicants must submit a valid affidavit confirming total household income, specifying all sources of income and indicating employment status.
FUNDING MODEL
Please refer to the Bursary Policy version 6 Funding Framework (published alongside this advert) for guidelines on the amounts per learner per programme.
SASSETA will only approve applications according to the limits stated in the policy.
SUBMISSION NOTES / HOW TO APPLY
- All applications must be submitted strictly according to the table provided.
- Each applicant is permitted to submit only ONE application.
- All required documents must be compiled and attached in a single email.
- Applicants must complete the official application form available on the SASSETA website under the Discretionary Grants banner.
- All compulsory supporting documents must be submitted together with the application.
Submission Details:
| Programme Name | Mailbox to Submit Applications |
|---|---|
| Unemployed Bursaries | [email protected] |
DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA
- Applications must reach SASSETA on or before 30 January 2026 at 23:59.
- Incomplete and late applications will be summarily disqualified without recourse.
- Duplicate submissions will not be considered.
- Hand-delivered, posted, or couriered applications will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified.
- Total size of attachments must not exceed 20MB.
- Password-protected files and time-limited access links are NOT allowed and will result in disqualification.
- Any application forms that have been modified or tampered with will result in automatic disqualification.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- The funding window opens on 14 December 2025 and closes on 30 January 2026 at 23:59 (midnight).
- Applicants who are awarded bursaries must be accepted or registered to study in the 2026 academic year.
- A three-phase evaluation process will be used:
- Compliance checking
- Evaluation
- Adjudication
Only compliant applications will be evaluated.
- Preference will be given to applicants from:
- Missing middle (R350,000.01 – R600,000 per annum)
- Poor households (up to R350,000 per annum)
- Marginalised communities
- Successful applicants will be required to sign a Bursary Agreement with SASSETA.
- Successful applicants must submit a sworn affidavit confirming they are unemployed and not receiving NSFAS or any other bursary at the point of contracting.
- Applicants who do not receive feedback within 90 days after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
- Limited grant spaces are available.
- SASSETA reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of awards and not to make any awards.
Enquiries:
For queries and assistance regarding the advert or application process, email:
[email protected] (before the closing date)