Five bursaries closing 30 September 2026 are among the funding opportunities currently published on GrantsPortal for South African learners and students. These bursaries provide support across different stages of education and fields of study, giving eligible applicants a limited period to complete their applications for the 2027 academic year.
The five bursary applications covered in this roundup close on 30 September 2026. They include opportunities from Investec, Sappi and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). Some are intended for prospective or current university students, while one specifically supports learners who will still be attending high school in 2027.
Although they share the same deadline, their eligibility requirements are different. Applicants should therefore check the requirements of the bursary that matches their circumstances and prepare the necessary documents before beginning an application.
Five Bursaries Closing on 30 September 2026
| Bursary | Suitable For | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Investec Tertiary Bursary Programme 2027 | Eligible university students | 30 September 2026 |
| Sappi Engineering Bursary 2027 | Engineering and selected related fields | 30 September 2026 |
| SARB External Bursary Scheme 2027 | Prospective undergraduate students | 30 September 2026 |
| SARB Economics Bursary 2027 | Prospective Economics students | 30 September 2026 |
| Investec High School Bursary Programme 2027 | Learners entering Grades 10–12 | 30 September 2026 |
The programmes are not interchangeable. An applicant interested in engineering, for example, will find a different opportunity here from someone planning to study Economics or a learner seeking financial assistance while still at high school.
1. Investec Tertiary Bursary Programme 2027
The Investec Tertiary Bursary Programme provides financial assistance to academically capable South African students who need support to pursue tertiary education. Investec runs the programme in partnership with StudyTrust and supports students with academic potential who require financial assistance to attend university.
Students supported through the programme can study towards selected financial-sector-related degrees at South African universities, with recipients ranging from first-year to honours level. Financial need and academic potential are important considerations during the selection process.
Applicants should check the complete eligibility criteria and make sure their intended qualification is supported before submitting an application.
Investec Tertiary Bursary Programme 2027
2. Sappi Engineering Bursary 2027
The Sappi Engineering Bursary is aimed at students pursuing engineering and selected technical qualifications. It provides financial assistance to eligible South African students who want to develop careers in fields relevant to Sappi’s operations.
Fields covered include:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Forestry and Wood Science
Applicants are expected to have strong academic results, particularly in Pure Mathematics, Physical Science and English. The programme is aimed at South African students studying or intending to study full-time at an accredited South African university.
Depending on individual circumstances, financial assistance may contribute towards tuition, accommodation, prescribed textbooks, living expenses and other approved study costs. Opportunities for vacation work may also provide recipients with practical industry exposure while completing their studies.
Sappi Engineering Bursary 2027
3. South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme 2027
The South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme provides financial assistance to academically deserving students who need support to pursue undergraduate studies at a South African university.
The programme is not limited to one qualification. The studies an applicant intends to pursue should have a bearing on, but are not limited to, the functions and activities of the SARB. The programme also forms part of the Reserve Bank’s efforts to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds and contribute towards addressing skills shortages in South Africa.
Applicants must have provisional acceptance into an undergraduate degree at a South African university, have achieved an average of at least 70% in their June Grade 12/Matric examinations, be younger than 30 and demonstrate financial need.
The general External Bursary Scheme uses the promotional code SARBEXT2027, which applicants should use when following the relevant application process.
SARB External Bursary Scheme 2027
4. SARB Economics Bursary 2027
The SARB Economics External Bursary is specifically intended for aspiring economists who will enter their first year of undergraduate studies during the 2027 academic year. It is more specialised than the general SARB External Bursary Scheme and focuses on developing future skills in Economics and related disciplines.
Relevant fields include:
- Economics
- Economics and Econometrics
- Economics and Mathematical Statistics
- Economic Science
Applicants must have provisional acceptance into an undergraduate degree in Economics and achieve an average of at least 70% in their current year of study, with English and Mathematics results of 70% or above. They must also be younger than 30 and demonstrate financial need.
Because this is a separate SARB funding programme, applicants should follow the Economics bursary instructions rather than the application details for the general External Bursary Scheme. The Economics programme uses the promotional code SARBERD27.
Check full details & online applications
5. Investec High School Bursary Programme 2027
The Investec High School Bursary is different from the other opportunities in this roundup because it is intended for learners who will still be attending high school rather than students entering university.
The programme is available to South African citizens entering Grade 10, Grade 11 or Grade 12. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic potential, with particular attention given to Pure Mathematics, Accounting and Science.
Eligibility also considers the learner’s current school. Investec applies criteria relating to the school’s academic performance, including its Matric pass rate, university entrance results, Pure Mathematics participation and English performance. Applicants must have attended a school that meets the programme’s criteria for at least one year at the time of application.
Meeting the minimum selection criteria does not guarantee that an application will be successful because the number of high-school bursaries available is limited.
Investec High School Bursary Programme 2027
Which Bursary Matches Your Studies?
The most suitable opportunity depends on where you are in your education and what you intend to study. Learners who will remain in high school during 2027 can check the Investec High School Bursary, while students interested in engineering or forestry-related qualifications can look at the Sappi programme.
Prospective Economics students have a specialised funding route through the SARB Economics Bursary. The Investec Tertiary Bursary and general SARB External Bursary provide additional options for eligible university students pursuing supported qualifications.
Applicants who meet the requirements for more than one programme can consider submitting multiple applications where the respective rules permit it. Each application should still be completed according to the requirements of that particular funder.
What to Prepare Before Applying
Applicants should prepare their supporting information before starting an application. Waiting until the final day to discover that an academic record, proof of income or admission document is missing can prevent an otherwise eligible applicant from completing the process.
Depending on the bursary and individual circumstances, documents may include:
- South African ID or birth certificate;
- latest academic results;
- Matric results where applicable;
- university academic records for current students;
- proof of university application or provisional acceptance;
- proof of household income;
- parent or guardian information; and
- additional documents requested by the bursary provider.
These are general examples rather than a universal checklist. Applicants should check the specific requirements before submitting documents because the information needed for a high-school bursary can differ considerably from that required for tertiary funding.
Don’t Leave Your Application Until the Last Minute
Several funding opportunities reaching their application deadline on the same day can create unnecessary pressure for applicants who wait until the last minute. Online applications may require account registration, document uploads and information that cannot always be obtained immediately.
Applicants should use the remaining time to check their eligibility, prepare documents and complete applications carefully. Before submitting, check that names, identity numbers, contact details and academic information are correct. Where an application system provides a confirmation, acknowledgement or reference number after submission, applicants should keep it for their records.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do these bursary applications close?
The programmes covered in this roundup have applications listed as closing on 30 September 2026. Investec confirms the deadline for its 2027 High School and Tertiary Bursary Programmes, while SARB confirms the same deadline for its general External Bursary Scheme and Economics External Bursary.
Can Grade 12 learners apply?
Yes. Several opportunities are relevant to Grade 12 learners who intend to begin university studies in 2027, provided they meet the requirements of the individual programme.
Is there funding for learners who are not yet going to university?
Yes. The Investec High School Bursary is intended for qualifying learners entering Grades 10, 11 or 12.
Which bursary covers engineering studies?
The Sappi programme supports several engineering disciplines, including Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, together with Forestry and Wood Science.
Are the two SARB bursaries the same?
No. The general External Bursary Scheme supports qualifying undergraduate studies relevant to the Reserve Bank’s activities, while the Economics External Bursary specifically targets aspiring economists entering selected undergraduate programmes.
Can I apply for more than one bursary?
Applicants can consider more than one suitable funding opportunity where they meet the requirements and the individual programme rules allow it. Each application should be completed separately and accurately.
Submit Your Applications Before the Deadline
These five bursaries provide different routes to education funding, from assistance for high-school learners to university funding in engineering, Economics and other eligible fields. Sharing the same application deadline does not mean that the programmes have the same requirements, so applicants should concentrate on opportunities that genuinely match their education level, studies and circumstances.
Eligible learners and students should use the remaining time to check the full requirements, prepare the correct supporting documents and submit complete applications. After applying, keep any confirmation or reference information provided and monitor the contact details used in the application in case further information is requested.