The Free State Office of the Premier has opened applications for its Provincial Government Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year, providing financial support for eligible South African students who reside in the Free State.
The bursary is available for full-time degree and diploma studies in advertised critical and scarce-skills fields, including STEM, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Psychology, Social Sciences, Aviation, Public Governance and Developmental Studies.
Applications must be hand delivered by 16:00 on 13 November 2026. Applicants should also meet the programme’s age, household-income, employment, residency and study requirements before submitting their applications.
Quick Summary
The Free State Provincial Government Bursary is intended to support students pursuing qualifications aligned with skills considered important to the province.
Eligible applicants must be South African citizens residing in the Free State, aged 18 to 35, unemployed and studying or planning to study full-time at a recognised South African university or university of technology.
Depending on the applicable conditions, successful applicants may receive assistance towards tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals, transport and a monthly living allowance.
Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2027: What You Need to Know
The bursary programme is administered through the Free State Office of the Premier and focuses on supporting students in fields identified as critical or scarce skills.
The programme is available to students undertaking full-time degree or diploma studies at a recognised higher education institution in South Africa.
The supplied information states that preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Bursary Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bursary provider | Free State Office of the Premier |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Province | Free State |
| Study level | Diploma and Degree |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Institution | University or University of Technology |
| Age | 18–35 years |
| Employment status | Unemployed |
| Household income | Less than R600,000 per annum |
| Application method | Hand delivery |
| Closing date | 13 November 2026 at 16:00 |
Fields of Study Covered
The programme supports degree and diploma studies in the following advertised areas:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Finance
- Economics
- Accounting
- Psychology-related studies
- Social Sciences
- Aviation Studies
- Various Bachelor of Administration programmes
- Public Governance
- Developmental Studies
Applicants should check the exact qualification against the advertised study fields before submitting an application.
What Does the Free State Bursary Cover?
Successful applicants may receive assistance towards:
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
- Learning aid devices, where applicable
- Meals
- Accommodation, where applicable
- Transport, where applicable
- Monthly living allowance, where applicable
The wording of the supplied information indicates that some forms of support are provided where applicable. Applicants should therefore not assume that every listed expense will automatically be paid in every individual case.
The exact amount of the monthly living allowance is not specified in the supplied information.
Additional Support for Bursary Recipients
The programme also provides student support structures.
The Student Liaison and Support Unit provides academic and emotional support, while the Stakeholder Support Unit assists with coordination between bursary recipients and higher education institutions.
These support structures are separate from the financial components of the bursary.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the stated eligibility requirements.
You must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Reside in the Free State province.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be completing Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Have a total household income of less than R600,000 per year.
- Be studying or intending to study full-time towards an eligible degree or diploma.
- Be accepted at a recognised and accredited higher education institution in South Africa.
- Study at a university or university of technology.
- Not receive another form of government funding.
- Be unemployed.
- Be willing to work within the related service sectors.
Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Household Income Requirement
Applicants must have a total household income of less than R600,000 per annum.
Proof of household income must accompany the application.
Depending on the circumstances of the applicant’s parents or guardians, this can include:
- Recent payslips for employed parents or guardians
- An affidavit where a parent or guardian is unemployed
- Proof of a SASSA grant, where applicable
- Proof of pension income, where applicable
The supplied information states that payslips used as proof of income should not be older than three months.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the completed application form together with clear copies of the compulsory supporting documents.
The listed documents include:
- Certified copy of the applicant’s ID
- Certified copy of September Matric results if currently in Matric
- Certified copy of the Matric certificate if Matric has already been completed
- Proof of acceptance from a registered higher education institution
- Proof of residence not older than three months
- Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents
- Parents’ or guardians’ death certificates, where applicable
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income
Applicants should check their documents carefully before submission. The supplied information states that incomplete applications or applications missing compulsory supporting documents may be disqualified.
Where Can You Get the Application Form?
Applicants must use the prescribed Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form.
The supplied information lists the following locations where application forms may be collected:
- Office of the Premier – FSTDI
- OR Tambo Building
- Thusong Centres
- Central University of Technology
- University of the Free State
Applicants should complete all applicable sections of the form before submitting their applications.
How to Apply for the Free State Government Bursary 2027
The application process requires hand delivery of the completed application and supporting documents.
Applications should be delivered to:
FSTDI Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive
Westdene
Bloemfontein
9301
Applications should be delivered to the Bursary Unit at the reception area.
Applicants should make sure their documents are complete before travelling to the submission location.
Applicant Advice
This is general preparation advice rather than an additional official requirement:
- Complete the application form carefully.
- Check that all compulsory documents are included.
- Confirm that certifications are valid.
- Check the age and household-income requirements.
- Confirm that your qualification falls within an advertised field.
- Submit well before the deadline where possible.
- Keep a copy of your completed application and supporting documents for your records.
Free State Provincial Government Bursary Closing Date
The application deadline is:
13 November 2026 at 16:00
The supplied information states that late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants should therefore allow enough time for the hand-delivery process rather than relying on the final afternoon.
Selection Process
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
According to the supplied bursary information, shortlisted applicants should be contacted within four months after the closing date.
If an applicant does not receive feedback within four months, they should consider the application unsuccessful.
This means submitting an application does not guarantee selection or funding.
What Applicants Should Check Before Submitting
Before handing in your application, check the following:
- Your application form is fully completed.
- Your ID copy is certified.
- Your Matric results or certificate are included.
- Your proof of higher-education acceptance is attached.
- Your proof of residence is less than three months old.
- Required parents’ or guardians’ documents are included.
- Household-income evidence is attached.
- All required documents are properly certified.
- Your qualification falls within an advertised field.
- You meet the household-income requirement.
- You meet the age and residency requirements.
- Your application reaches the Bursary Unit before 16:00 on 13 November 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Free State Government Bursary?
Eligible South African citizens residing in the Free State can apply if they meet the programme’s age, employment, household-income, study and other requirements.
What age must applicants be?
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
What is the household-income limit?
The supplied information states that total household income must be less than R600,000 per annum.
What does the bursary cover?
Depending on the applicable conditions, funding may contribute towards tuition, textbooks, learning aid devices, meals, accommodation, transport and a monthly living allowance.
Can students at a university of technology apply?
Yes. The supplied requirements include students studying at a recognised university or university of technology.
When does the application close?
Applications close on 13 November 2026 at 16:00. Late applications will not be accepted.
How must applications be submitted?
Applications must be hand delivered to the Bursary Unit at FSTDI Brahman Building, 124 Nelson Mandela Drive, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301.
Contact Details
For bursary enquiries, applicants can contact the Free State Office of the Premier:
Telephone: 065 742 5935 / 060 533 4702
Email: bursariesfs@fspremier.gov.za
Office hours: 07:30–16:00
Applicants who need assistance completing the application form can also visit the Bursary Office at:
Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Street
Bloemfontein
Postal address:
Free State Office of the Premier
Bursary Section
Private Bag X20565
Bloemfontein
9300
Final Reminder
The Free State Provincial Government Bursary has a 13 November 2026 at 16:00 deadline, and applications must be submitted by hand.
Before submitting, confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements and include every compulsory supporting document. Keep a copy of your completed application and documents for your records.
Official Source
Free State Office of the Premier — Provincial Government Bursary Programme 2027
The article is based on the supplied bursary information attributed to the Free State Office of the Premier. Applicants should confirm the latest application form, requirements and submission details with the provincial government before submitting.
17. Last Checked Date
30 September 2026
Author/Updated Information
Written by: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Published: 30 September 2026
Updated: 30 September 2026
Information checked: 30 September 2026
Mbalizuke Nkosi is the editorial voice behind YouthScope.co.za, a South African youth-focused platform dedicated to providing reliable information on opportunities, education, and career development. The platform serves students, graduates, job seekers, and young professionals by delivering accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand content.
Through informative and professionally curated content, YouthScope.co.za aims to equip young people with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their education and future careers.
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