VerifiedFunza Lushaka covers accommodation, including meals, as part of the bursary, up to a set cap. Its 2026 application notes say details of how accommodation is paid are set out in the bursary guidelines, which are applied through your university’s Funza Lushaka office. Whether and how private accommodation is paid depends on those guidelines and your university’s rules.
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What Funza Lushaka covers
- Tuition.
- Accommodation including meals.
- Books and learning materials.
- Teaching practice costs.
- Where possible, a small monthly living allowance.
The bursary is capped. If your actual costs, including private accommodation, are higher than the cap, you pay the difference yourself.
Before you sign a private lease
- Ask your university’s Funza Lushaka office whether private accommodation is paid for your campus, and how.
- Ask whether the accommodation must be accredited by the university.
- Find out the accommodation amount within the cap.
- Get the answer in writing before committing to a lease.
How NSFAS handles private accommodation, for comparison
- Private accommodation is allowed only if institution residences are full or unavailable.
- NSFAS pays accredited providers directly, after a signed lease and confirmed funding.
- Students living with relatives get a transport allowance instead.
Funza Lushaka is managed by NSFAS but has its own rules, so do not assume the NSFAS rules apply unchanged.
More: how NSFAS and Funza Lushaka compare and the Department of Basic Education’s Funza Lushaka page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Funza Lushaka cover accommodation?
Yes. It covers accommodation including meals, within the bursary cap.
Who do I ask about Funza Lushaka accommodation payments?
Your university’s Funza Lushaka or financial aid office.