merSETA Bursary Programme
merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA), administered by NSFAS
merSETA funds 'missing middle' students, whose combined household income is between R350,001 and R800,000, in engineering, manufacturing and related qualifications at public universities and TVET colleges. The funding is administered by NSFAS and claimed by the institution, and students are recruited through their institution's financial aid office. For the 2026 intake, recruitment ran from 26 January to 20 February 2026.
- Amount
- Study funding for missing-middle students, paid through NSFAS to your institution on merSETA's behalf; a per-student amount is not published
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Duration
- Full degree duration
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA), administered by NSFAS supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen with a valid ID
- ✓ Combined household income strictly between R350,001 and R800,000 (the 'missing middle')
- ✓ Registered at a public university or TVET college in a merSETA priority qualification
- ✓ Recruited through your institution during merSETA's recruitment window
- ✓ Continuing students: registered in a relevant programme, with previous-year academic results
What's Included
- ✓ Study funding paid to your institution through NSFAS on merSETA's behalf
- ✓ Open to first-year and continuing students in merSETA priority qualifications
- ✓ Your financial aid office can confirm exactly which costs are covered
How to Apply
Steps to complete your merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA), administered by NSFAS bursary application
- 1
Check that your combined household income is between R350,001 and R800,000 and that your qualification is on merSETA's priority list
- 2
Register at a public university or TVET college in that qualification
- 3
During the recruitment window (26 January to 20 February for the 2026 intake), apply through your institution's financial aid office and sign the merSETA application form
- 4
Submit the financial-eligibility documents your institution asks for, such as income declarations or affidavits and proof of income
- 5
Your institution submits qualifying students to NSFAS, which pays the funding on merSETA's behalf
Required Documents
- 📄 Clear copy of your ID (front and back for a smart ID)
- 📄 Matric certificate or other highest qualification
- 📄 Current-year proof of registration at the university or TVET college
- 📄 Signed merSETA application form
- 📄 Parents' or guardians' IDs and proof of household income (or income affidavits)
- 📄 Death certificate if a parent is deceased
- 📄 Continuing students: proof of current registration and previous year's academic record
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the merSETA bursary open for 2027?
- merSETA had not announced the 2027 recruitment dates as of 12 October 2026. For the 2026 intake, institutions recruited merSETA-funded students from 26 January to 20 February 2026, so expect the 2027 round early in the 2027 academic year. Ask your institution's financial aid office.
- Who qualifies for merSETA funding?
- South African students whose combined household income is between R350,001 and R800,000 (too high for NSFAS but too low to afford fees), registered in a merSETA priority qualification such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, industrial, civil, electronic or power engineering, mechatronics, robotics, financial management, manufacturing operations management or software development.
- Do I apply to merSETA directly?
- No. This missing-middle funding is administered by NSFAS and claimed by your institution, so you apply through your university or TVET college's financial aid office during the recruitment window and sign a merSETA application form there.
When do 2027 applications open?
merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA), administered by NSFAS has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
merSETA's missing-middle funding is administered by NSFAS and recruited through institutions early in the academic year: the 2026 intake was recruited from 26 January to 20 February 2026 (NSFAS circular to universities and TVET colleges). As of 12 October 2026 the 2027 recruitment dates had not been announced.
Check merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA), administered by NSFAS's official siteNeed help? Contact merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA), administered by NSFAS:
Phone: 010 219 3000
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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