W&RSETA Bursary Scheme
W&RSETA (Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority)
The W&RSETA Bursary Scheme, set up in 2011, funds disadvantaged South African students studying wholesale and retail related qualifications at public and private universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges, with preference for occupations the sector struggles to fill. Students do not apply to W&RSETA themselves: institutions, bursary administrators, levy-paying employers and Retail Chairs apply for bursary allocations on the W&RSETA MIS, then select and register the students. The 2026 main window closed on 16 January 2026, and no window for the 2027 academic year had been announced as of 12 October 2026.
- Amount
- Set per course in each institution's contract with W&RSETA (no fixed published amount); funding goes towards tuition, books/stationery and an incidental or student allowance.
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
W&RSETA (Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen younger than 35
- ✓ Registered at, or accepted by, a public or private university, university of technology or TVET college for an eligible retail-related qualification
- ✓ Eligible programmes (2026 round): higher certificates, diplomas and degrees at NQF Levels 5–7, NCV Levels 2–4, NATED N4–N6, and QCTO occupational qualifications at NQF Levels 5–7 (not learnerships)
- ✓ Preference for 'missing middle' students with parental income between R350,000 and R600,000 a year, as identified by the institution
- ✓ Continuing bursars must have been funded by W&RSETA in the previous academic year, passed at least 60% of their modules and qualify for the next level
- ✓ Individual students cannot apply to W&RSETA — applications are made by institutions, bursary administrators, levy-paying employers or Retail Chairs
What's Included
- ✓ Tuition fees
- ✓ Books and stationery
- ✓ Incidental / student allowance
- ✓ Annual renewal until the qualification is completed, provided the institution applies for continued funding and the student progresses
How to Apply
Steps to complete your W&RSETA (Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority) bursary application
- 1
Students: ask your university or TVET college's bursary or financial aid office (or your employer, if you are employed in the wholesale and retail sector) whether it holds a W&RSETA bursary allocation, because W&RSETA does not accept applications from individual students
- 2
Institutions, bursary administrators, W&RSETA levy-paying companies and Retail Chairs apply online on the W&RSETA MIS (stakeholder portal at www.wrseta.org.za) while a bursary funding window is open, selecting the relevant bursary project
- 3
Applicants upload supporting documents: proof of the institution's registration and programme accreditation for new bursars, or the previous MOA, expenditure report and results of funded students for continuing bursars
- 4
W&RSETA provincial offices evaluate applications and issue award letters on the MIS (in the 2026 round, by 15 April 2026 for the main window)
- 5
After accepting the award, the institution submits its list of selected students and a cost schedule, registers the students on the MIS and signs a contract; payments follow compliant grant claims
- 6
W&RSETA's provincial offices help first-time applicants get MIS access; the head office switchboard is 012 622 9500
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your South African ID (for the institution's selection)
- 📄 Proof of registration or acceptance at the institution for an eligible qualification
- 📄 Latest academic results (Matric results for first-year students)
- 📄 Proof of parental or household income, as required by the institution
- 📄 Continuing bursars: statement of results showing at least 60% of modules passed, plus the fee statement the institution submits to W&RSETA
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the W&RSETA Bursary Scheme?
- W&RSETA does not take applications from individual students. Public and private TVET and higher education institutions, bursary administrators, W&RSETA levy-paying companies and Retail Chairs apply for bursary allocations on the W&RSETA MIS, then select students. Students must be South African citizens younger than 35, registered or accepted for an eligible retail-related qualification, with preference for 'missing middle' households earning R350,000 to R600,000 a year.
- What does the W&RSETA bursary cover?
- In the 2026 round, funding went towards tuition, books/stationery and an incidental or student allowance, at the rates set in each institution's contract with W&RSETA. There is no single published amount.
- When will the 2027 W&RSETA bursary window open?
- As of 12 October 2026 W&RSETA had not announced a bursary window for the 2027 academic year. In the last cycle, the main window for new and continuing unemployed students was announced on 17 December 2025 and closed on 16 January 2026, a follow-up window for continuing unemployed bursars closed on 30 May 2026, and a window for continuing employed bursars closed on 15 July 2026. Watch the W&RSETA website and ask your institution's bursary office.
- Does W&RSETA only fund unemployed students?
- No. The main scheme funds unemployed students through institutions and bursary administrators, while levy-paying wholesale and retail companies can apply on behalf of employees. The 2026 window for continuing employed bursars closed on 15 July 2026.
When do 2027 applications open?
W&RSETA (Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
W&RSETA's main bursary window for institutions, administrators, employers and Retail Chairs has recently opened in December: the 2026 window was announced on 17 December 2025 and closed on 16 January 2026, followed by windows for continuing unemployed bursars (closed 30 May 2026) and continuing employees (closed 15 July 2026). As of 12 October 2026 no 2027 bursary window had been announced.
Check W&RSETA (Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority)'s official siteNeed help? Contact W&RSETA (Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority):
Phone: 012 622 9500
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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