Student Loan Applications for 2026/ 2027

SA Bursaries has partnered with a student loan provider, to help students across South Africa access affordable student loans — making it easier to start or continue your studies without financial barriers.

They offer flexible, accessible student loans designed specifically for South African students and foreign students studying at partner institutions nationwide.

Who can apply for the student loan?

You can apply if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are provisionally accepted or registered at a partner institution (see full list below).
  • Your combined household income is R5,000 or more per month.
  • You have one or two sponsors/payers willing to co-sign the loan.

Each application will be assessed individually, taking your full financial situation into account.

Which institutions does the student loan provider fund?

Student loans are currently available for students studying at the following institutions:

  • 1000 Hills Chef School
  • 43 Air School
  • Academy Training Group (ATG)
  • Accelerate Management School
  • Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE)
  • The Animation School
  • ACT Cape Town
  • AFDA (part of Stadio Holdings)
  • AFRICA LEARN
  • Aerospace Training academy of South Africa
  • Agricolleges International
  • BasadiPele
  • Boston City Campus
  • Boundless Academy
  • BluLever Education
  • Blush Academy (BLUSH) – Cape Town
  • Blush Academy (BLUSH) – Johannesburg
  • BTI – Beauty Therapy Institute
  • Caraway International Hospitality
  • Care Champ College
  • Centre for Creative Education
  • CHEEBA Cannibis & Hemp academy
  • CHEN Beauty Institute
  • Code College
  • Codespace
  • Campus of Performing Arts (COPA)
  • ChefMLK
  • CTCFD (Cape Town College of Fashion Design)
  • CTU Training Solutions
  • Clockwork Recruitment and Training
  • Da Vinci
  • Design Academy of Fashion (DAF)
  • Eduvos
  • Elizabeth Galloway
  • FUNDA INSTITUTE
  • GO Fourth
  • Green Leaf Academy
  • Graduate Preparatory School (GPS)
  • HillCross College of Higher Education
  • HTA School of Culinary Art
  • Hyperion Dev
  • Institute of Accounting Science
  • ICM Institute
  • International Agricultural Academy for Africa
  • IHS International Hotel School
  • ITCA
  • Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine
  • Le Wagon
  • Legend Hospitality School
  • Madge Wallace
  • Melsoft Academy
  • Milpark
  • Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MOONSTONE)
  • Nanette Skills Academy
  • Nido Health College
  • NewBridge Graduate Institute
  • North West School of Design
  • Polytech Africa
  • PonoEnstha Training Academy
  • Red and Yellow Creative School of Business
  • REGENESYS EDUCATION
  • Riches and Beyond
  • Rise Academy
  • Rosebank College
  • Rhodes University – Post Graduate School of Business
  • SACAP
  • SAE Institute
  • Skills Development Professionals
  • Stadio – School of Administration & Management
  • Stadio – School of Architecture & Engineering
  • Stadio – School of Arts & Humanities
  • Stadio – School of Commerce
  • Stadio – School of Education
  • Stadio – School of Fashion
  • Stadio – School of Information Technology
  • Stadio – School of Law
  • Stadio – School of Media & Design
  • Stadio – School of Policing & Law Enforcement
  • Stellenbosch University
  • Star Quality Creative Academy
  • Swift Skills academy
  • The Stage Performing Arts Studio
  • Think Tank
  • TECHBLUME
  • TriFocus Academy
  • Tsiba Business School
  • University of CAPE TOWN
  • Water Business College
  • Waterfront Theatre School
  • Windsor University School of Medicine
  • Zaio Technology

What expenses can the student loan cover?

  • Outstanding (arrear) tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Tuition for the upcoming academic year
  • Study materials and related academic expenses

Does the student loan cover outstanding student debt?

Yes, students with outstanding balance of R8 000 of more, who are studying at one of the partner institutions may also apply.

How can I apply for the student loan?

To apply, select your institution from the drop-down box below and you will be able to access the student loan link.

Please note: the link will only appear if you are studying at one of the partner institutions. If your institution does not appear, then it is not one of the partnered institutions yet.



Student loan FAQ’s

What is the value of the student loan?

  • Student loans can be between R25,000 to R75,000

When must I start paying back the student loan?

  • Repayments of monthly instalments start immediately once the loan is activated. The first debit order will usually be scheduled to be deducted from your bank account within the first month of signing the loan agreement. These are fixed instalments at a low interest rate.

How long do I have to pay off the student loan?

  • The student loan offers a flexible repayment period, which is typically double your course duration, making monthly repayments manageable.

What is the interest rate of the student loan?

  • The interest rate is from Prime + 3%, which will be charged during and after studying.

Does the student loan provider run credit checks?

  • Yes they do, however they have a more lenient credit policy than traditional banks, and bank-declined applicants are welcome to apply.

Which years of study does the student loan cover?

  • It can fund students in all years of study, including students with outstanding (arrear) fees.

Is the student loan paid to the institution or student?

  • The educational institution receives a portion of the approved loan amount upfront, and the remaining balance is paid in scheduled instalments over the duration of the loan agreement.
  • The student loan provider support students who may not qualify for traditional bank or student loans and may therefore be considered higher credit risk. Because the funding is specifically for educational purposes, interest rates are kept at reasonable levels while the risk is shared with the educational institution.

How many sponsors or payers must the student loan have?

  • Each student loan may have up to 2 sponsors/payers – this increases chances of affordability and approval. The loan will be in the sponsor’s name while the student is studying, and the student will have the option to take over loan repayments after studying, but they are not obligated to do so.

Are self-employed sponsors allowed to apply?

  • Yes self-employed sponsors with registered businesses are eligible.

Can foreign students apply for the student loan?

  • Yes, foreign students with a valid study visas are welcome to apply.

Can the student loan be paid off early?

  • Yes, paying more into the student loan than the minimum repayments will mean paying off the student and will reduce the cost of your studies. There is no penalty for early payment.

Is the student loan provider accredited?

  • Yes, they are a registered credit provider and are a registered member of the Credit Ombud Constitution and SACRRA.

Will SA Bursaries store or collect my personal information?

  • SA Bursaries does not collect, store, or process any personal information submitted on the student loan application form. Once you proceed, all information will be handled directly by the student loan provider in accordance with their privacy policy. Please review their privacy notice here before submitting your application.

Disclaimer: SA Bursaries may earn a referral commission for successful student loans referred through this page. This does not cost you anything extra and does not affect your loan amount or terms. Any commission earned helps us keep SA Bursaries free and available to students.