What is the SANRAL Scholarship Programme?

It is SANRAL's school-level funding for South African learners in Grades 8 to 12 at registered schools, irrespective of subject choices. It pays for school and boarding fees, uniforms, books and stationery, school transport, maths and science extra lessons and registration where applicable, plus access to SANRAL's wellness programme. Applicants need an overall average of at least 60% and a household income below R550,000 a year.

When do SANRAL scholarship and bursary applications for 2027 close?

Applications for 2027 opened on 1 July 2026 and close on 31 October 2026 for both the Scholarship Programme and the External Bursary, according to SANRAL's programme pages as checked on 12 October 2026 (the FAQ sections on those pages still mention 30 September 2026). SANRAL contacts successful applicants only; if you have not heard back by 31 January 2027, your application was unsuccessful.

Does SANRAL also offer bursaries for university students?

Yes. The SANRAL External Bursary for the 2027 academic year funds students entering their first year in 2027 in Civil Engineering, Public Procurement or Supply Chain Management, or Computer Science or Information Systems (minimum 70% average), and NQF Level 8 postgraduates in property, town and regional planning, finance and law fields (minimum 60% average). Applicants must be South African citizens under 35 studying full-time at an approved institution.

How much does the SANRAL bursary pay?

SANRAL does not publish a rand value. A means test decides whether you get a full bursary (registration and tuition, accommodation, study material and equipment, food, a living allowance and the Wellness Plan) or a partial bursary (registration and tuition, accommodation and the Wellness Plan).

How do I apply online?

Apply on SANRAL's data-free website (www.nra.co.za) using the 'Click here to apply' button on the Scholarship Programme or External Bursaries page. Only one application per applicant is accepted, documents must be uploaded before submission, and hard-copy or emailed applications are not accepted. SANRAL does not charge a fee to apply.

Does a SANRAL scholarship or bursary guarantee a job at SANRAL?

No. SANRAL says receiving a scholarship or bursary is not a guarantee of future employment with SANRAL, although bursary recipients can apply for on-the-job training.

General

SANRAL Scholarship Programme

South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL)

SANRAL, the state-owned company that manages South Africa's national roads, runs two education funding programmes with the same application season. Its Scholarship Programme supports South African learners in Grades 8 to 12 at registered schools, irrespective of subject choices, paying for school and boarding fees, uniforms, books, school transport, maths and science extra lessons and access to a wellness programme. Its External Bursary funds students entering first-year university study in 2027 in Civil Engineering, Public Procurement / Supply Chain Management or Computer Science / Information Systems, plus NQF Level 8 postgraduates in property, town planning, finance and law fields. Applications for 2027 opened on 1 July 2026 and close on 31 October 2026, online only through SANRAL's data-free website.

Amount: Not published as a rand value; awards are means-tested. Scholarships cover school and boarding fees, uniforms, books and stationery, school transport, maths and science extra lessons, registration and a wellness programme. Full university bursaries cover registration and tuition, accommodation, study material and equipment, food and a living allowance; partial bursaries cover registration, tuition and accommodation.
Deadline: 31 October 2026
Duration: Grades 8–12 (scholarship) or the funded university qualification (bursary)
Renewable: Yes

Closing in 19 days

Apply on official site

Eligible Fields of Study

South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) supports students in the following disciplines

Scholarship: Grade 8–12 schooling at a registered South African school (any subject choices)

Bursary (first-year undergraduates in 2027): BSc or BEng in Civil Engineering

Bursary (first-year undergraduates in 2027): Public Procurement or Supply Chain Management

Bursary (first-year undergraduates in 2027): Computer Science or Information Systems

Bursary (NQF Level 8 postgraduates in 2027): Property development and management (real estate and/or commercial property)

Bursary (postgraduates): Commercial property and investment, property asset management and property valuation

Bursary (postgraduates): Town and regional planning (including GIS)

Bursary (postgraduates): Finance or financial management

Bursary (postgraduates): Property law, commercial law and contract law

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Scholarship: registered at an endorsed South African school and applying for Grade 8 to 12, with an overall academic average of at least 60%
✓ Scholarship: total household income below R550,000 a year; preference goes to learners from Quintile 1–3 public schools, previously disadvantaged communities and rural areas
✓ Bursary: under the age of 35 and intending to study full-time (not part-time or distance learning) at an approved South African institution; privately owned universities are not considered
✓ Bursary: undergraduates must be entering their first year of study in 2027 with at least a 70% overall average in their latest results
✓ Bursary: postgraduates must be enrolling for an NQF Level 8 qualification in 2027 with at least a 60% average in their most recent results
✓ Bursary: financial need is assessed with a means test, applicants holding other bursaries are disqualified, and awards follow SANRAL's employment equity transformation objectives
✓ The course on your bursary application must match the course you are accepted for

What's Included

✓ Scholarship: school fees and boarding school fees (where applicable)
✓ Scholarship: school and sports uniforms, books and stationery (where applicable)
✓ Scholarship: reputable school transport and extra lessons in maths and science
✓ Scholarship: registration (where applicable) and access to SANRAL's Wellness Programme
✓ Full bursary: registration and tuition, accommodation, study material and equipment, food, a living allowance and access to the Wellness Plan
✓ Partial bursary (depending on the means test): registration and tuition, accommodation and access to the Wellness Plan
✓ Bursary holders can apply for on-the-job training with SANRAL

Work Commitment

SANRAL states that receiving a scholarship or bursary does not guarantee employment with SANRAL. Bursary recipients have the opportunity to apply for on-the-job training; no work-back obligation is published on SANRAL's bursary or scholarship pages.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) bursary application

1
Go to SANRAL's data-free website (www.nra.co.za) and open the Scholarship Programme page (Grades 8–12) or the External Bursaries page (university study)
2
Click 'Click here to apply' and complete the online application form; only one application per applicant is allowed and no changes can be made after submission
3
Upload all certified supporting documents before you submit (copies certified within 3 months; proof of income no older than 3 months) — SANRAL does not accept hard-copy or emailed applications
4
Submit before the closing date of 31 October 2026; SANRAL does not charge any fee to apply
5
SANRAL contacts successful applicants only; if you have not heard back by 31 January 2027, your application was unsuccessful

Required Documents

📄 Letter of motivation: one page from bursary applicants; for scholarships, a two-page letter from the learner plus letters from the parents and the school
📄 Certified copy of your ID or birth certificate, and IDs (or death certificates) of your parents or legal guardian
📄 Latest results: June results for scholarship applicants; Term 1 and 2 results (matriculants) or a full academic record (current students) plus proof of tertiary application for bursary applicants
📄 Proof of residence: a water or electricity bill or letter from the local council in your parents' or guardian's name
📄 Proof of household income, such as payslips, IRP5/IT3/IT12 tax documents or business financial statements; if parents are unemployed, an affidavit or Department of Labour letter and (for scholarships) 3 months' bank statements
📄 Where applicable: proof of guardianship, divorce or separation papers, siblings' proof of tertiary registration, foster-care court decree and marriage certificates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SANRAL Scholarship Programme?: It is SANRAL's school-level funding for South African learners in Grades 8 to 12 at registered schools, irrespective of subject choices. It pays for school and boarding fees, uniforms, books and stationery, school transport, maths and science extra lessons and registration where applicable, plus access to SANRAL's wellness programme. Applicants need an overall average of at least 60% and a household income below R550,000 a year.
When do SANRAL scholarship and bursary applications for 2027 close?: Applications for 2027 opened on 1 July 2026 and close on 31 October 2026 for both the Scholarship Programme and the External Bursary, according to SANRAL's programme pages as checked on 12 October 2026 (the FAQ sections on those pages still mention 30 September 2026). SANRAL contacts successful applicants only; if you have not heard back by 31 January 2027, your application was unsuccessful.
Does SANRAL also offer bursaries for university students?: Yes. The SANRAL External Bursary for the 2027 academic year funds students entering their first year in 2027 in Civil Engineering, Public Procurement or Supply Chain Management, or Computer Science or Information Systems (minimum 70% average), and NQF Level 8 postgraduates in property, town and regional planning, finance and law fields (minimum 60% average). Applicants must be South African citizens under 35 studying full-time at an approved institution.
How much does the SANRAL bursary pay?: SANRAL does not publish a rand value. A means test decides whether you get a full bursary (registration and tuition, accommodation, study material and equipment, food, a living allowance and the Wellness Plan) or a partial bursary (registration and tuition, accommodation and the Wellness Plan).
How do I apply online?: Apply on SANRAL's data-free website (www.nra.co.za) using the 'Click here to apply' button on the Scholarship Programme or External Bursaries page. Only one application per applicant is accepted, documents must be uploaded before submission, and hard-copy or emailed applications are not accepted. SANRAL does not charge a fee to apply.
Does a SANRAL scholarship or bursary guarantee a job at SANRAL?: No. SANRAL says receiving a scholarship or bursary is not a guarantee of future employment with SANRAL, although bursary recipients can apply for on-the-job training.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 31 October 2026

Apply on South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL)'s official site

Need help? Contact South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL):

Phone: 012 844 8000

Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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