The Education Empowerment and Development Fund (EEDF) bursary is a nationwide funding initiative aimed at helping South African students from households with limited means to access tertiary education. 

The programme supports students entering either their first or final year of study at designated universities, across a wide range of fields. 

What is the EEDF Bursary?

EEDF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young South African students through financial aid, academic assistance, mentorship, and personal development opportunities.

The bursary programme alleviates the financial burden of tertiary education for those who fall into the “missing middle” (household income above NSFAS threshold but still in need) or are NSFAS-eligible.

Which fields of study are eligible?

Eligible fields for the EEDF bursary are wide-ranging and include, but are not limited to:

  1. Accounting (including CA stream)
  2. Actuarial Science
  3. Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Mining, Metallurgy & Aeronautical Engineering
  4. Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Information Systems
  5. Business Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Logistics & Supply Chain, Finance, Economics & Econometrics
  6. Health-related fields such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Diagnostic Radiography
  7. Real Estate, Property Studies, Construction Management, Mining Studies

Because fields may vary by year, applicants should refer to the official 2026 bursary call for the exact list.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
  2. Be between the ages of 18 and 25 years old.
  3. Household annual combined income must be under R600 000 (for 2026 cycle) with specific brackets for “missing middle” and NSFAS-eligible students.
  4. Be entering either first year or final year of the undergraduate qualification in 2026.
  5. Be accepted, provisionally accepted or registered at one of the designated universities (for example, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, North-West University) for the 2026 intake.

What does the bursary cover?

Coverage depends on the applicant’s household income bracket:

  1. Missing Middle (R350 000 – R600 000 household income): Full support including tuition, registration, accommodation, study materials, laptop allowance (for first-year students), tutoring, mentorship, meal assistance and mental-health support.
  2. NSFAS-Eligible (household income under R350 000): Coverage of registration fees and strong non-financial support (mentorship, academic guidance, mental-health support) though tuition and other costs may not be entirely covered.
    Recipients may also be required to engage in some form of volunteer or mentorship service as part of the bursary terms.

How to apply 

  1. Download or access the official application form for the 2026 EEDF bursary from the EEDF website or partner university pages when the call opens.
  2. Prepare and submit the required supporting documents (PDF format): certified copy of your ID, certified Matric certificate, full academic record if already studying, proof of registration or acceptance at a designated university, proof of household income (payslips, SASSA grant, affidavit), proof of residence (utility bill/rental agreement), motivational letter and optional letters of recommendation.
  3. Submit your application online or via the specified method before the closing date — for example, one source lists 1 November for the cycle.
  4. Keep a copy of your submission and check for follow-up communication from EEDF.

What the selection committee will consider

The selection panel reviews:

  1. Whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria (age, income, residence, first/final year status).
  2. Academic performance and potential (Matric results, prior tertiary record if applicable).
  3. Whether the chosen field of study is included in the bursary’s supported list.
  4. Completeness and accuracy of the documentation submitted.
  5. Demonstration of need and alignment to the bursary’s objectives (supporting “missing middle”, mentorship, readiness to succeed).

Closing Date

For the 2026/2027 cycle, a listed closing date is 1 November, 2025.

Applicants should monitor the EEDF and listed universities’ websites for the official advert opening, exact closing date and submission format.

Late, incomplete or non-compliant applications are usually not considered.

1. Who is eligible to apply for the EEDF bursary?+
You must be a South African citizen or permanent resident, aged between 18 and 25, entering either your first or final year of study in 2026, and your household annual income must be under R600 000.
2. Which fields of study are eligible for the EEDF bursary?+
Eligible fields include accounting, actuarial science, a wide range of engineering disciplines, IT/computer science, business and management, health sciences, property studies and others.
3. What costs does the EEDF bursary cover?+
For “missing middle” students (income R350k‐R600k) the bursary covers tuition, registration, accommodation, study materials and provides mentorship and support services. For NSFAS-eligible students (income under R350k) it covers registration fees and offers strong non-financial support.
4. Am I eligible if I am studying at any university?+
No. You must be accepted, provisionally accepted or registered at one of the specific universities listed in the bursary call (for example UJ, UP, Wits, NWU).
5. Can I apply if my household income is above R600 000?+
No. Applicants must typically have a combined household income under R600 000 per year to qualify.
6. What is the closing date for the 2026 application cycle?+
The closing date listed is 1 November. Applicants should verify the official advert for the year.
7. How do I apply for the bursary?+
Download or access the online application form when the advert opens, complete it, attach all required certified documents (ID, Matric certificate, proof of registration, proof of income/residence, motivational letter) and submit before the deadline.
8. Do I need to submit a motivational letter and recommendations?+
Yes. A motivational letter is required, and recommendation letters are strongly encouraged though may not always be mandatory.
9. Will I have to do volunteer work if awarded the bursary?+
Yes. The bursary requires recipients to engage in volunteer service (for example mentoring other students) as part of its “give back” requirement.
10. Who can I contact for more information about the bursary?+
You can contact EEDF at 078 038 0865 or 060 316 5417, or email [email protected].

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