Free State Office of the Premier bursary

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE FS OFFICE OF THE PREMIER BURSARY COVER?

The Free State Office of the Premier is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2027 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded to students residing within the Free State province, for studies within the following fields, which are critical/ scarce skills fields in the province:

• STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
• Commercial Related (Finance, Economics & Accounting)
• Psychology related
• Social Sciences
• Aviation Studies
• Various BAdmins / Public Governance and Developmental studies

WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE FS OFFICE OF THE PREMIER BURSARY COVER?

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and learning aid devices (where applicable), meals, accommodation (where applicable), transport (where applicable) and a monthly living allowance (where applicable)

Bursary students will also receive the following benefits:

• Student Liaison and Support Unit: For academic & emotional support
• Stakeholder Support Unit: Ensures smooth coordination with institutions

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE FS OFFICE OF THE PREMIER BURSARY?

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 4 months of the closing date. If you do not receive any feedback within this time, please consider your application unsuccessful.

WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE FS OFFICE OF THE PREMIER BURSARY?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must reside within the Free State province
• You must be between 18 and 35 years old
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must have a household income of LESS than R600 000 per annum
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a degree or diploma qualification, within one of the fields of study listed above
• You must be accepted to study at a recognised and accredited Higher  Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa (University or University of Technology)
• You must NOT be receiving any other form of government funding
• You must be unemployed
• You must be willing to work within the related services sectors
• Preference will be given to students from a previously disadvantaged background

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE FS OFFICE OF THE PREMIER BURSARY?

Download and complete the Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)

Alternatively, application forms can be collected from the following offices: Office of the Premier (FSTDI and OR Tambo Building), Thusong Centres, Central University of Technology and University of the Free State.

Applications must be hand delivered to the following address:
FSTDI Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive
Westdene
Bloemfontein
9301
(Bursary unit at the Reception area)