Yes, some TVET college students can qualify for SETA bursary funding, but eligibility depends on the specific SETA, qualification, institution and funding programme.
There is no single SETA bursary that automatically applies to every TVET student in South Africa. Sector Education and Training Authorities operate within different economic sectors, which means their funding priorities and eligibility rules can differ.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has confirmed that SETA bursaries form part of the broader post-school education and training funding system. Its 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan says more than 15,000 SETA bursaries had been made available to assist students who do not qualify for NSFAS, particularly students in the “missing middle” and those studying scarce skills. The department says this support covers students at both universities and TVET colleges.
For students planning for the 2027 academic year, the key question is therefore not simply whether TVET students can receive SETA funding. The important questions are which SETA covers the field of study, whether that SETA funds TVET students, and whether the applicant meets the specific funding requirements.
Do SETA Bursaries Cover TVET College Students?
Yes, some do.
The DHET maintains an official directory of SETAs covering sectors such as finance, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, health and welfare, information and communications technology, public services, transport and others.
Because each SETA operates within a particular sector, funding can be targeted at qualifications and skills relevant to that sector.
This means a TVET student should first identify the SETA connected to their area of study before looking for funding.
FASSET Example
FASSET, the Financial and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority, is one example of a SETA that has offered funding to learners at public TVET colleges.
Its funding opportunities illustrate why students need to read the specific bursary notice rather than assuming that every SETA follows the same rules.
The eligibility criteria, covered qualifications, funding limits and application process can change between programmes and financial years.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All SETA Bursary
One of the most important points for TVET students is that SETA bursaries are not all the same.
South Africa has multiple SETAs, each responsible for skills development within particular sectors. DHET’s official SETA directory provides the names and websites of the individual authorities.
For example, the official directory includes:
- FASSET — Financial and Accounting Services
- HWSETA — Health and Welfare
- MERSETA — Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services
- MICT SETA — Media, Advertising, Information and Communication Technologies
- PSETA — Public Service
- Services SETA — Services
- TETA — Transport
- W&RSETA — Wholesale and Retail
The full official directory should be used when identifying the SETA relevant to a particular qualification.
What Can a SETA Bursary Pay For?
The answer depends on the individual funding programme.
SETA bursary support can cover educational expenses such as tuition, learning materials and other study-related costs. DHET says the expanded SETA bursary support includes tuition, learning materials and other study-related costs.
However, students should not assume that every SETA bursary pays for exactly the same expenses.
A particular funding notice may specify support for:
- Tuition fees
- Learning materials
- Prescribed textbooks
- Accommodation
- Student or learner allowances
- Other approved study-related expenses
The exact benefits must be confirmed from the current bursary notice.
Does a SETA Bursary Include a Monthly Stipend?
Not necessarily.
Students should distinguish between a bursary and funding attached to a work-based learning programme such as a learnership, internship or work-integrated learning opportunity.
A bursary can help pay for education-related expenses without functioning as a monthly salary.
A stipend may be attached to a particular workplace-learning programme, but students should not assume that a bursary automatically includes a monthly stipend.
Always check what the funding notice specifically calls the payment or allowance and what expenses it covers.
Can TVET Students Receive SETA Funding and NSFAS?
This depends on the rules of the specific SETA funding programme.
NSFAS is the main public student financial-aid mechanism for eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges. DHET’s planning documents continue to identify NSFAS as an important source of financial support for eligible TVET students.
A student should therefore read the funding conditions carefully before applying for or accepting multiple sources of financial support.
Where an application asks about existing funding, provide accurate information.
Do not assume that receiving NSFAS automatically qualifies or disqualifies a student from every SETA-funded programme.
What About Private TVET Colleges?
Students should check the institution requirement in the specific funding notice.
Some SETA programmes may specifically refer to public TVET colleges, while other funding arrangements can involve employers, institutions or other approved organisations.
For example, HWSETA’s 2026/27 funding information states that its funding arrangements include public TVET colleges and that approved institutions recruit beneficiaries rather than HWSETA directly recruiting students.
That is an important example of why students should not assume that every SETA funding opportunity uses the same application model.
Do Students Apply Directly to the SETA?
Not always.
The application route depends on the SETA and funding programme.
HWSETA provides a clear example: its official information says it does not directly recruit students for funded programmes. Instead, it advertises funding opportunities to eligible employers, public universities and public TVET colleges, with approved institutions then recruiting beneficiaries.
This means students should not automatically search for a generic “SETA bursary application form”.
Instead, they should find the specific funding programme and follow the application instructions provided by the relevant SETA or institution.
What Should TVET Students Do Before Applying for 2027?
Students preparing for the 2027 academic year can take several practical steps.
1. Identify the SETA Linked to Your Field
Start by identifying the SETA responsible for the sector connected to your qualification.
DHET publishes an official directory of SETAs and their websites.
2. Check Whether Your Qualification Is Covered
Do not assume that a qualification is funded simply because it sounds related to a SETA’s sector.
Read the current funding notice and check the exact qualifications, fields or skills listed.
3. Check the Institution Requirement
Confirm whether the funding is available to:
- Public TVET colleges
- Private institutions
- Universities
- Specific approved institutions
- Students nominated or recruited through an institution
The requirement can differ between SETAs.
4. Check the Financial Requirements
Some funding programmes may use household income or other financial criteria.
Do not carry a financial threshold from a previous year into 2027 without checking the new funding notice.
5. Check the Academic Requirements
The SETA may specify particular qualifications, academic levels, progression requirements or scarce and critical skills.
Read the full eligibility section before applying.
6. Prepare Supporting Documents
The exact documents depend on the programme.
A bursary application may request identification, academic records, proof of registration or acceptance and financial information, but students should use the current application notice as the definitive document checklist.
7. Monitor Official Announcements
A bursary offered during one financial year is not automatically guaranteed to return under identical conditions the following year.
Funding allocations, application periods, qualifying fields and eligibility criteria can change.
SETA Bursaries Are Different From NSFAS
Although both can support students in post-school education, they operate differently.
NSFAS is a national student financial-aid scheme for eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges.
SETA funding is connected to the skills-development responsibilities of individual sector authorities and can therefore be targeted at particular sectors, qualifications or skills priorities.
This explains why a TVET student may find a SETA bursary relevant to their qualification even while also investigating NSFAS.
DHET has specifically described SETA bursaries as an additional funding pathway, including support for students who do not qualify for NSFAS and students studying scarce skills.
A Real Example: HWSETA Funding
HWSETA demonstrates how different a SETA funding model can be.
For its 2026/27 funding cycle, HWSETA advertised funding categories that included bursaries, work-integrated learning for TVET students, internships, learnerships and artisan development.
However, HWSETA also made clear that it does not recruit students directly. Approved employers, public universities and public TVET colleges are involved in recruiting beneficiaries.
The 2026/27 funding application period closed on 20 February 2026, demonstrating another important point: students should always check the dates for the relevant funding cycle instead of assuming that an old application window remains open.
Is There One Website for All SETA Bursaries?
No.
There is no single universal SETA bursary application that automatically covers all SETAs.
DHET maintains an official directory linking to the individual SETAs and their websites.
Students should use this directory to identify the appropriate authority and then check that SETA’s current funding announcements.
Some programmes may require applications through the SETA, while others may be administered through colleges, universities, employers or other approved organisations.
What This Means for TVET Students Planning for 2027
SETA bursary funding can be an option for TVET students, but eligibility is not automatic.
Before applying, establish these four points:
- Does the relevant SETA fund TVET students?
- Is your qualification or field covered?
- Does your college meet the institution requirements?
- Do you meet the specific academic, financial and other eligibility conditions?
If the answer to all four is yes, the opportunity may be worth pursuing once the relevant 2027 funding notice is officially published.
Where to Verify a 2027 SETA Bursary
Before submitting personal information, students should verify the opportunity through the relevant SETA or institution.
DHET’s official SETA directory is a useful starting point because it provides links to the individual SETAs.
Students should confirm:
- The SETA issuing or administering the funding
- The academic year
- The eligible qualifications
- Eligible institutions
- Financial requirements
- Academic requirements
- Required documents
- Application method
- Closing date
- What costs are covered
- Whether the support is a bursary, allowance, stipend or another form of funding
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can TVET college students apply for SETA bursaries?
Yes. Some SETAs provide or support funding for TVET students, but eligibility depends on the specific SETA and funding programme.
Does every SETA offer bursaries to TVET students?
No. SETAs have different sector mandates and funding programmes. Students should check the relevant SETA’s current funding information.
Will a SETA bursary pay a monthly stipend?
Not necessarily. A bursary may cover educational expenses, while stipends are more commonly associated with certain workplace-learning programmes. The specific funding notice should be checked.
Can a student receiving NSFAS also receive SETA funding?
This depends on the rules of the specific SETA programme. Students should disclose existing funding where required and check whether concurrent funding is permitted.
Can students at private TVET colleges apply?
It depends on the funding programme. Some opportunities may specify public TVET colleges or particular approved institutions.
Is there one application form for all SETA bursaries?
No. Each SETA can have its own programmes and application procedures, and some funding may be administered through institutions or employers.
Final Reminder
TVET students can access SETA-funded opportunities, but there is no blanket rule saying that every TVET student qualifies for every SETA bursary.
The safest approach is to identify the SETA connected to your field, check the qualification and institution requirements, and wait for the relevant 2027 funding notice before relying on any specific amount, deadline or eligibility rule.
For the latest SETA contacts and official websites, students can use DHET’s SETA directory.
Source note: This article uses official DHET and SETA information to explain the funding system. Specific 2027 bursary requirements should be confirmed when the relevant SETA publishes its 2027 funding notice.
Official Source
Department of Higher Education and Training — SETA Directory
Department of Higher Education and Training — 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan
HWSETA — Expression of Interest for Funding 2026/2027
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.
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