SASSETA Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 30 January 2026
Provider: SASSETA
Field of study: Information Technology, Software Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy
Study level: Postgraduate, TVET / college
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2026 round closed on 30 January 2026 at 23:59.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 30 January 2026 SASSETA publishes its unemployed-learner bursary call in December or January, so expect the 2027 call in December 2026 with a closing date in late January 2027. Latest update ↓

The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) funds skills development for policing, corrections, defence, legal services, private security and the justice system. Each year it awards discretionary-grant bursaries to unemployed young people to study qualifications the sector needs, from law degrees to science and technology.

About the SASSETA Bursary

The bursary is awarded for one academic year and renewed for the full qualification if you maintain an average of at least 60% across all modules. Funding caps in the 2026 round were:

Full-time university students: up to R80 000 a year for tuition, books, accommodation and meals, plus an electronic device allowance of up to R10 000.
TVET college students: up to R50 000 a year for tuition, books, accommodation and meals.
Distance and part-time learners: up to R35 000 a year for registration, tuition and books.
Master’s and research students: thesis-related expenses.

Qualifying fields

LLB and other law qualifications; science, technology, engineering and mathematics; veterinary science; and any occupation on the national list of occupations in high demand, which includes IT, forensic science, criminology, security management and social work.

SASSETA Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen aged 18 to 35.
Unemployed.
Completed Matric.
Registered, or accepted, at an accredited public university, university of technology or TVET college for the academic year.
Household income of no more than R600 000 a year. Both NSFAS-band and missing-middle applicants qualify.
Studying one of the qualifying fields.

How to apply for the SASSETA Bursary

Download the application form from sasseta.org.za when the call opens.
Complete it and gather certified copies of: your ID; your Matric certificate; your academic record if you are already studying; proof of registration or acceptance for the year; and an affidavit of household income.
Email everything as a single file of no more than 20 MB to Bursaries@SASSETA.org.za before the closing time. Late applications are not considered.

SASSETA Bursary closing date

The 2026 round closed on 30 January 2026 at 23:59. Expect the 2027 round to close in late January 2027.

Contact details

Applications: Bursaries@SASSETA.org.za
Queries: DG@sasseta.org.za
Telephone: 011 087 5555
Website: www.sasseta.org.za

Law students should also apply to the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund bursary, and all applicants should compare the other SETA schemes on our government bursaries page.

FAQs

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

The 2026 round closed on 30 January 2026 at 23:59. SASSETA advertises its unemployed-learner bursary in December or January each year, so expect the 2027 call in December 2026 with a closing date in late January 2027.

2. Who qualifies? +

Unemployed South African citizens aged 18 to 35 with Matric, registered or accepted at an accredited public institution, from households earning under R600 000 a year, studying an LLB, a STEM qualification, veterinary science or an occupation on the national list of high-demand occupations.

3. How much is the bursary? +

Up to R80 000 a year for full-time university students (tuition, books, accommodation and meals, plus a device allowance of up to R10 000), up to R50 000 for TVET students, up to R35 000 for distance learners, and thesis costs for Master's researchers.

4. Is it renewable? +

Yes, for the duration of the qualification if you keep an average of at least 60% across all modules.

5. How do I apply? +

Email the completed form and certified documents to Bursaries@SASSETA.org.za in a single file of no more than 20 MB: ID, Matric certificate, academic record if studying, proof of registration for the year, and a household income affidavit.

6. What is SASSETA? +

The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, which funds skills for policing, corrections, defence, legal services, private security and related fields.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round closed on 30 January 2026 at 23:59. SASSETA publishes its unemployed-learner bursary call in December or January, so expect the 2027 call in December 2026 with a closing date in late January 2027. The details below are from the 2026 advert.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

Bursaries@SASSETA.org.za

About SASSETA

Sector Education and Training Authority (public entity)

The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) is one of South Africa's statutory SETAs, operating under the Department of Higher Education and Training. SASSETA administers the skills development levies that employers in the safety and…

Read the full SASSETA profile →