Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) bursary

ABOUT THE OMET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) is inviting students to apply for their scholarship programme, for the 2026 academic year.

Scholarships will be awarded to union members with paid up fees, employees of unions, as well as their spouses and child-dependents. Scholarships are available for first undergraduate studies in ANY field (including certificate, diploma and first degree level qualifications).

Tuition fees coverage

Online learning platforms

Participating unions include:

• Democratic Nursing Association of South Africa (DENOSA)
• National Teachers’ Union (NATU)
• National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU)
• National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
• Professional Educators’ Union (PEU)
• Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU)
• South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU)
• South African Chemical Workers’ Union (SACWU)
• South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU)
• South African Society of Bank Officials (SASBO)

 

 

MORE ABOUT THE OMET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – COVER VALUE & OTHER BENEFITS

 

The Old Mutual Education Trust will fund up to 60 students, with a limited number of scholarships awarded to each union partner. Selection will be based mainly on academic results.

Online learning platforms

Tuition fees coverage

The scholarship will provide partial cover for study-related expenses, to the value of R70 000.

Scholarship recipients will receive the following benefits: a laptop, tutoring, access to counselling services, and preparation for the world of work.

Scholars will have access to the following:

• A dedicated student support officer to provide support throughout their time on the scholarship
• A laptop when joining
• Access to tutoring support
• Access to Old Mutual’s Independent Counselling and Advisory Services for the student and their immediate family
• Year-long support for 1st-year students from senior students (Peer Buddies)
• Participation in various workshops throughout the year, including a weekend orientation at the start of each year for all scholarship holders
• Support for exiting students to prepare for the world of work by providing (this includes: vacation work opportunities during the June holidays, mentorship by professionals and a 12-month internship opportunity for some unemployed graduates to assist in gaining critical work skills)

 

MORE ABOUT THE OMET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – SELECTION

 

Tuition fees coverage

Final selection for the scholarship will be conducted by the OMET selection committee, made up of four senior officials from four different higher education institutions. The final selection will take place between 30 September and 2 October. Final approval will be given by the Old Mutual Education Trust Board in November and successful candidates will be notified thereafter.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OMET SCHOLARSHIP

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 have completed Matric or be currently in Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards your first undergraduate qualification (certificate/ diploma/ degree level qualification) (the scholarship does NOT cover short courses, postgraduate studies or second qualifications)
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised and accredited public university in South Africa

Applicants must also fall into one of these categories:

Tuition fees coverage

Online learning platforms

• You are a paid up member of one of the trade unions listed above (your union membership fee payments must be up to date and you must be in good standing with your union)
• You are a spouse (as legally defined) of a paid up member or staff member, at one of the trade unions listed above
• You are a child dependent (under 25 years of age) (including adopted child, stepchild, grandchild or child of blood relation for which the union member is solely financially responsible), of a paid up member or staff member, at one of the trade unions listed above
• You are permanently employed on a full-time basis at one of the trade unions listed above
• You are a spouse (as legally defined) of a full-time and permanent employee at one of the trade unions listed above
• You are a child dependent (under 25 years of age) (including adopted child, stepchild, grandchild or child of blood relation for which the union member is solely financially responsible), of a full-time and permanent employee at one of the trade unions listed above

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE OMET SCHOLARSHIP

 

Applications must be submitted online at: Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) Bursary Application

 

New applicants: you must sign up an account before you can login and apply.

 

Current scholarship holders: your account has been created for you by an OMET Administrator. You must reset your password before you can login – go to forgot my password and insert your email address where you received your signup instructions. You should receive an email with a password reset link, to choose a new password. After selecting a password and following the login prompts, select your application in the “Reports Due” stage and select “Open” to begin submitting reports.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document/ Passport of the main union member/ union employee (certified copy – within the last 6 months)
• ID document/ Passport of the dependent, if applicable (certified copy – within the last 6 months)
• Union membership number or Union employee number (for main member or employee)
• Grade 11 final results and Matric mid-year results, if currently in Matric
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric
• 2024 year-end academic results and most recent mid-year results, if currently studying

 

CLOSING DATES FOR THE OMET SCHOLARSHIP

 

31 August 2025.
(Applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact the Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) directly:
Contact page: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/contact-us