ETDP SETA Bursary Scheme for Unemployed Students

1. 1

   Note that from the 2025/26 cycle ETDP SETA no longer advertises or accepts direct or walk-in applications; you must apply through a partner institution

2. 2

   Confirm that your university or private HEI is a registered ETDP SETA partner institution and that your qualification falls within the funded education, training and development fields

3. 3

   Apply directly to your institution's financial aid / bursary office during their application window (typically late in the prior year, closing around February/March)

4. 4

   Submit all required learner documents to the institution before registration

5. 5

   Meet all University and Faculty admission and academic requirements and register at the institution

6. 6

   Await feedback from your institution; for the 2026 cycle, if no feedback is received by 31 March 2026 you should consider the application unsuccessful

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the ETDP SETA bursary in 2026?

You apply through your Higher Education Institution, not through ETDP SETA. As of the 2025/26 cycle, ETDP SETA no longer advertises or accepts direct or walk-in applications. Contact your university or private HEI's financial aid office to apply, and check whether your institution is a registered ETDP SETA partner. The official notice states that no enquiries will be accommodated by ETDP SETA directly.

How much does the ETDP SETA bursary cover?

The bursary does not exceed R150,000 per annum per student. Registration fees and tuition are treated as priority funding, and the institution decides how the rest is allocated (which may include accommodation, learning materials and meals subject to availability). Any unspent funds are returned to ETDP SETA rather than paid to the student. Aggregator sites quoting a R120,000 cap are outdated; the official figure is R150,000.

Who qualifies for the ETDP SETA bursary?

It is for South African unemployed students in the 'missing middle' who have no other source of funding and who are studying an education, training and development related qualification at NQF Level 4 or above at a partner institution. Students who have applied for or received funding from any other source are not considered.

When will I know if my application was successful?

Feedback comes from your institution's financial aid office. Applications generally open late in the prior year and close around February or March. For the 2026 cycle, the official notice (published 03 November 2025) advises that if you have not received feedback by 31 March 2026, you should consider your application unsuccessful.