ETDP SETA Bursary Scheme for Unemployed Students
ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority), administered by partner Higher Education Institutions
The ETDP SETA funds unemployed South African 'missing middle' students studying education, teaching and training-related qualifications at partner Higher Education Institutions. From the 2025/26 cycle, ETDP SETA no longer advertises or accepts direct or walk-in applications: partner universities and private HEIs administer the bursary, and students apply through their institution's financial aid office. The bursary covers up to R150,000 per year, with registration and tuition prioritised.
- Amount
- Bursary not exceeding R150,000.00 per annum per student. The breakdown of what the amount covers is determined by the institution applied to, with registration fee and tuition treated as priority funding aspects. Any unspent funds are returned to the ETDP SETA, not the student.
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority), administered by partner Higher Education Institutions supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African unemployed student (not in any job that pays remuneration)
- ✓ Must not have other sources of funding; students who have applied for or received alternative bursary funding from any other source are not considered
- ✓ Targeted at the 'missing middle' category of students (demonstrated financial need)
- ✓ Must be pursuing a post-matric/NSC/NCV or NQF Level 4 and above related qualification at a Higher Education Institution
- ✓ Must comply with all University and Faculty admission and academic requirements (including registration at a partner institution)
- ✓ All required learner documents must be provided before student registration
What's Included
- ✓ Registration fee and tuition (priority funding)
- ✓ Funding toward study costs (specific breakdown determined by each Higher Education Institution; may include accommodation, learning materials and meals subject to availability)
- ✓ Up to R150,000 per annum per student
- ✓ Targeted support for the 'missing middle' category of students
How to Apply
Steps to complete your ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority), administered by partner Higher Education Institutions bursary application
- 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
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
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
Submit all required learner documents to the institution before registration
- 5
Meet all University and Faculty admission and academic requirements and register at the institution
- 6
Await feedback from your institution; for the 2026 cycle, ETDP SETA said applicants without feedback by 31 March 2026 should consider themselves unsuccessful
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
- 📄 Latest academic records / transcripts (NSC, NCV or tertiary results)
- 📄 Proof of registration or acceptance at the partner Higher Education Institution
- 📄 Proof of unemployment / financial need ('missing middle') as required by the institution
- 📄 Any additional learner documents requested by the institution's financial aid office before registration
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply for the ETDP SETA bursary for 2027?
- 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 year before study and close around February or March. For the 2026 cycle, ETDP SETA's notice (published 3 November 2025) advised that applicants without feedback by 31 March 2026 should consider their applications unsuccessful; expect a similar institution-led timeline for 2027.
When do 2027 applications open?
ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority), administered by partner Higher Education Institutions has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
ETDP SETA bursaries are applied for through partner institutions, whose windows usually run from late in the year before study to February or March. The 2026-cycle notice (3 November 2025) set a 31 March 2026 feedback cut-off; check ETDP SETA's notices page and your institution for the 2027 cycle.
Check ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority), administered by partner Higher Education Institutions's official siteInformation verified 2026-03-31. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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