SASSETA Bursary South Africa 2026

 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – SASSETA

The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) was formed to facilitate education and training for the South African safety and security industry. SASSETA is committed to facilitating continuous learning and opportunities of skills transfer and development within the safety and security sector.

SASSETA was formed when the Police, Private Security, Legal and Correctional Services Sector Education and Training Authority (POSLEC SETA) and the Diplomacy, Intelligence, Defence and Trade Education and Training Authority (DIDTETA) merged.

SASSETA is one of 21 SETAs, which are vocational skills training organization in South Africa. Each SETA covers a different industry and occupation, and is responsible for creating and managing various programmes, such as learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and skills programmes within its jurisdiction.
 

ABOUT THE SASSETA BURSARY – FIELDS COVERED

SASSETA is inviting students to apply for the Discretionary Grants – Unemployed Bursary, for the 2026 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded to unemployed students, for studies preferably within these fields:

  • LLB
  • STEM qualifications – studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
  • Veterinary Science
  • Occupations in High Demand, as published by the Department of Higher Education & Training in 2024 (pages 13-22)

 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

 

MORE ABOUT THE SASSETA BURSARY – EXPENSES COVERED

The bursary will provide cover up to following values:

  • Full-time students will receive funding to the value of R80 000, for the following expenses: registration fees, tuition fees, books, accommodation and meals. Students will also receive an electronic device (laptop or tablet) and mouse, to the maximum value of R10 000.
  • Distance learning students will receive funding to the value of R35 000, for the following expenses: registration fees, tuition fees and books.
  • TVET students will receive funding to the value of R50 000, for the following expenses: registration fees, tuition fees, books, accommodation and meals.
  • Masters and research students may claim funds in relation to their research related expenses, including printing and editing costs related to their thesis or dissertation.

SASSETA may consider additional funding and/ or paying outstanding student debt, subject to the availability of funding.
 

MORE ABOUT THE SASSETA BURSARY – SELECTION

Bursaries will be awarded for a period not more than the minimum duration of the qualification, plus 1 year (i.e. for a 3 year qualification, funding will be provided for a maximum of 4 years).

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 90 days after the closing date. If you do not receive any feedback by this time, please consider your application unsuccessful.

www.zabursaries.co.za is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the SASSETA Bursary.
 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SASSETA 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 be between 18 and 35 years old
  • You must have completed Matric
  • You must be studying or registered to study within one of the fields of study listed above, in 2026
  • You must be registered or accepted to study full-time or distance learning at a recognised and accredited public University/ University of Technology/ Public TVET College in South Africa (private institution students may only apply if their course of study is not offered at any of the public institutions)
  • You must be unemployed
  • You must NOT be taking part in any other SASSETA funded programme (internship, learnership or skills programme) within the current financial year
  • Preference will be given to students from the “missing middle” (a combined household income of between R350 000.01 and R600 000 per annum) and students from poor households (a combined household income of LESS than R350 000 per annum) and students from marginalised communities
  • You must read and agree to the terms of the SASSETA Bursary Policy 2025/2026 (.pdf)

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SASSETA BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: SASSETA Bursary Application Form 2026 (.docx)

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the SASSETA bursary.
 

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

  • ID Document (certified copy – not older than 6 months)
  • Matric certificate/ final results (certified copy – not older than 6 months)
  • Most recent academic record, if currently studying (certified copy – not older than 6 months)
  • Proof of acceptance/ registration for the 2026 academic year (on institutions letterhead)
  • Parents or guardians proof of household income and employment status (affidavit confirming total household income, specifying all sources of income and indication employment status)

Note: the total size of the supporting documents must not be larger than 20 Megabytes (MB).
 

Applications must be submitted via email to: Bursaries@SASSETA.org.za
(Insert the words “SASSETA Bursary 2026” in the email subject line).
 

CLOSING DATE FOR THE SASSETA BURSARY

30 January 2026 (at 23:59 pm).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact SASSETA directly:
Email: DG@sasseta.org.za
 

Please do NOT contact SASSETA if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in December 2025.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.