AEMFC Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Check with the provider
Provider: AEMFC
Field of study: Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Study level: Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

AEMFC uses a late-January closing date, most recently 29 January, and does not accept late submissions.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation is the state’s own mining company, operating the Vlakfontein coal mine in Mpumalanga. Its bursary funds engineering students from second year onwards, with a full package including a laptop and a monthly stipend, and gives preference to young people from Emalahleni, the municipality around the mine.

About the AEMFC Bursary

Fields: undergraduate electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and mining engineering.
Covers tuition fees, prescribed books, meals and accommodation.
Adds a laptop allowance, a monthly student stipend and vacation work at the mine.

AEMFC Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen aged 16 to 25.
Enrolled full-time at an accredited institution in one of the three fields.
Entering second or third year in the funded year.
Preference for students living in the Emalahleni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, though it is not an absolute requirement.

How to apply for the AEMFC Bursary

Prepare certified copies of your South African ID, your full academic records, proof of acceptance for the coming year on the institution’s letterhead and proof of student accommodation.
Email everything to Bursaries@aemfc.co.za with “AEMFC Bursary 2027” in the subject line.
Submit before the closing date. Late submissions are not accepted.

AEMFC Bursary closing date

29 January in the last confirmed round. Expect the end of January 2027 for 2027.

Contact details

Mthokozisi Phewa: 010 010 6100, Bursaries@aemfc.co.za

Mpumalanga mining students should also apply to the Thungela bursary, the Canyon Coal bursary and see our Mpumalanga government bursaries page.

FAQs

1. When does the AEMFC bursary close for 2027? +

AEMFC uses a late-January closing date, most recently 29 January, and does not accept late submissions. Expect the 2027 round to close at the end of January 2027; watch aemfc.co.za from December 2026.

2. What is AEMFC? +

The African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation, a state-owned mining company that operates the Vlakfontein coal mine in Mpumalanga and reports to the mineral resources department.

3. Which fields? +

Undergraduate electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and mining engineering.

4. What does it cover? +

Tuition fees, prescribed books, meals and accommodation, plus a laptop allowance, a monthly student stipend and vacation work at the mine.

5. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens aged 16 to 25 enrolled full-time at an accredited institution, entering second or third year. Preference goes to students living in the Emalahleni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, though it is not an absolute requirement.

6. How do I apply? +

Email certified copies of your South African ID, your full academic records, proof of acceptance for the coming year on the institution's letterhead and proof of student accommodation to Bursaries@aemfc.co.za with 'AEMFC Bursary 2027' in the subject line.

Update note (checked September 2026): AEMFC’s own website did not list a bursary notice or closing date when we checked. Watch its news and careers pages for the next round. Source: aemfc.co.za.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

Bursaries@aemfc.co.za

Put AEMFC Bursary 2027 in the subject line.

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.