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πŸ’° Free Money for SA Youth

Grants, Bursaries &
Funding for 2026

Every active government grant, bursary and funding opportunity available to young South Africans β€” with deadlines and direct application links. All free, no agent needed.

βœ… Last updated: March 2026
⚠️ Important: Deadlines and amounts change regularly. Always verify on the official website before applying. JobLaunchSA lists these opportunities as a free public service β€” we are not affiliated with any of these organisations. Apply directly through official channels only β€” never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

πŸ›οΈ Government Grants & Programmes

πŸŽ“
Opens Sep 2026 Free

NSFAS β€” National Student Financial Aid Scheme

Government funding for university and TVET college students from low-income households. Covers tuition, accommodation, meals, transport and learning materials.

Amount: Full tuition + living allowance
Who qualifies: Household income under R350,000/year
Applications: Opens 17 September, closes 15 November 2026
Apply at: my.nsfas.org.za
Apply at NSFAS β†’
πŸ’Ό
Year-Round Non-Repayable

NYDA β€” Youth Business Grant

National Youth Development Agency grants for young entrepreneurs aged 18-35. Non-repayable funding to start or grow a small business, plus mentorship and business support.

Amount: R1,000 – R250,000 (non-repayable)
Who qualifies: Ages 18-35, SA citizen, business idea or existing business
Applications: Open year-round
Apply at: erp.nyda.gov.za
Apply at NYDA β†’
🌟
Open Now Paid Work

YES Programme 2026/2027

Youth Employment Service β€” 12-month paid work experience with top SA companies. One of the best youth employment programmes in the country. Get real experience AND a salary.

Amount: From R5,241/month
Who qualifies: Ages 18-35, SA citizen, unemployed
Duration: 12 months
Apply at: yes4youth.co.za
Apply at YES β†’
πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦
Open

Presidential Employment Stimulus

Government-backed work and training opportunities for first-time job seekers. Includes stipends, skills training, and mentorship across various public sector programmes.

Amount: Varies by programme
Who qualifies: Unemployed South African youth
Applications: Rolling β€” check DPSA website
Apply at: dpsa.gov.za
View on DPSA β†’

πŸŽ“ Corporate Bursaries 2027

These bursaries are for 2027 studies. Applications typically open August–November 2026.

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Opens Aug 2026

Eskom Bursary 2027

138 bursary spots for engineering, science and technology students. One of SA's most prestigious corporate bursaries β€” often leads directly to employment after graduation.

Spots: 138 available
Fields: Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Science
Applications: Opens August 2026
Apply at: eskom.co.za/careers
View Bursary β†’
πŸ›’οΈ
Opens Aug 2026

Sasol Bursary 2027

STEM bursaries from one of SA's largest energy companies. Covers full tuition, accommodation, books and a monthly allowance. Strong pipeline into Sasol graduate employment.

Fields: STEM β€” Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths
Applications: Opens August 2026
Apply at: sasol.com/careers
View Bursary β†’
🏦
Opens Sep 2026

Nedbank Bursary 2027

Finance and business bursaries for students studying towards careers in banking, accounting, finance, and commerce. Includes vacation work opportunities at Nedbank.

Fields: Finance, Accounting, Commerce, IT
Applications: Opens September 2026
Apply at: nedbank.co.za/careers
View Bursary β†’
πŸ“±
Opens Sep 2026

Vodacom ICT Bursary 2027

ICT and technology bursaries from SA's leading mobile network. Covers tuition and provides exposure to Vodacom's technology environment through vacation work.

Fields: ICT, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science
Applications: Opens September 2026
Apply at: vodacom.co.za/careers
View Bursary β†’
⛏️
Opens Oct 2026

Anglo American Bursary 2027

Mining and engineering bursaries from one of the world's largest mining companies. Strong preference for students from mining communities. Leads to graduate employment.

Fields: Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, Finance
Applications: Opens October 2026
Apply at: angloamerican.com/careers
View Bursary β†’

🀝 SASSA Grants & Payment Dates 2026

🀝
Open Monthly

SRD Grant β€” R370/month

Social Relief of Distress grant for unemployed South Africans aged 18-59 who are not receiving any other grant or UIF. Apply online β€” no queue needed.

Amount: R370 per month
Who qualifies: Ages 18-59, unemployed, no other income
Applications: Open year-round online
Apply at: sassa.gov.za or srd.sassa.gov.za
Apply for SRD β†’
πŸ‘Ά
Open

Child Support Grant β€” R530/month

Monthly grant for primary caregivers of children under 18 from low-income households. One of the most widely accessed SASSA grants in South Africa.

Amount: R530 per child per month
Who qualifies: Primary caregiver of child under 18, income test applies
Apply at: nearest SASSA office or sassa.gov.za
Apply at SASSA β†’
Grant Type Monthly Amount April 2026 Pay Date May 2026 Pay Date
Older Persons (60+) R2,190 1 April 2026 1 May 2026
Disability Grant R2,190 2 April 2026 4 May 2026
Child Support Grant R530 3 April 2026 5 May 2026
Foster Child Grant R1,180 3 April 2026 5 May 2026
Care Dependency Grant R2,190 3 April 2026 5 May 2026
SRD Grant (R370) R370 Varies by ID Varies by ID

⚠️ Payment dates are subject to change. Always confirm at sassa.gov.za or call 0800 60 10 11 (free).

πŸ’‘ Application Tips

🚫

Never pay to apply

All these opportunities are 100% free. Anyone asking for money to submit your application is a scammer. Report them to the SAPS.

πŸ“…

Apply early

Bursaries fill up fast. Set a reminder for August 2026 for corporate bursaries and September 2026 for NSFAS. Don't wait until the last week.

πŸ“„

Prepare your documents

Most applications need: ID document, Matric results, proof of income/household, and a motivation letter. Have these ready before deadlines open.