The Funza Lushaka bursary is a teaching bursary funded by the government which requires recipients to teach at a public school for the same number of years the bursary is received. You only need to repay the Funza Lushaka bursary if: You fail to complete the studies.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Program offers fixed bursary values that pay for students’ tuition, housing costs (which include meals), learning materials, and an R600 monthly stipend to cover essential living expenses. About the Bursary Provider—Department of Basic Education
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The programme
1. What is the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme to promote teaching as a profession. Bursaries are available to enable selected students to complete a teaching qualification in identified Subject priority areas. Recipients of these bursaries will be required to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary.
Roles and responsibilities
2. How are roles and responsibilities for the Funza Lushaka programme separated?
This is a national programme which is administered each public higher education institution (HEI). It is funded by National Treasury and managed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) financially administers the programme on behalf of DBE through the Student Financial Aid office at each HEI.
Provincial Co-ordinators implement district and community based teacher recruitment programmes in collaboration with – district co-coordinators. Provincial Co-ordinators respond to queries from applicants in their respective provinces and districts and assist them to apply online for the bursary. Provincial Co-ordinators manage the provincial selections of the district recruited applicants.
Selected students must meet the admission criteria of the academic programme at the HEI to which they apply, and must meet the national selection criteria for the Funza Lushaka bursary. Selection of bursars is undertaken at each HEI in accordance with the selection criteria and the funds allocated to each HEI.
Once qualified, bursary recipients are placed by a provincial education department.
Applications and eligibility
3. Who is eligible to apply?
Any academically gifted, young –
- learners, currently in Grade 12;
- graduates below the age of 30 who want to complete a teaching qualification or enrol for a PGCE;
- people below the age of 30 who want to make a career change and become teachers; and
- unemployed people below the age of 30 who want to become teachers.
4. How does a student apply?
Prospective bursars must first gain admission at a higher education institution (HEI). Applications may be submitted online at www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za .