Compensation Fund Bursary
The Compensation Fund Bursary is a government bursary administered by the Compensation Fund under the Department of Employment and Labour. It funds unemployed COID (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases) beneficiaries with permanent disabilities, plus dependants of COID beneficiaries who were fatally injured or permanently disabled at work.
Eligible Fields of Study
Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen
- ✓ Either an unemployed COID beneficiary with a permanent disablement caused by occupational injury or disease, OR a dependant of a COID beneficiary with permanent disablement, OR a dependant of a fatally injured employee
- ✓ Dependants must be between 17 and 35 years of age
- ✓ Studying or accepted to study at a recognised TVET College, CET College or Higher Education Institution
- ✓ Studying towards an approved field of study
- ✓ Strong academic performance to date
What's Included
- ✓ Full tuition fees
- ✓ Prescribed study materials
- ✓ Accommodation
- ✓ Monthly stipend
- ✓ Renewable annually subject to satisfactory academic performance
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour) bursary application
- 1
Download the Compensation Fund bursary application form from the Department of Employment and Labour website
- 2
Complete the application form in full
- 3
Attach all certified supporting documents - especially proof of COID status
- 4
Email the completed application to CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za with the subject line 'COID Bursary 2027'
- 5
Alternatively, hand-deliver to Compensation House, Cnr. Hamilton and Soutpansberg Road, Prinshof, Pretoria
- 6
Submit before the published closing date (the 2026 cycle closed 31 March 2026)
Required Documents
- 📄 Completed Compensation Fund bursary application form
- 📄 Certified ID copy
- 📄 Certified latest academic results
- 📄 Proof of acceptance or registration at a recognised institution
- 📄 Proof of COID claim or compensation status (and death certificate where the COID beneficiary was fatally injured)
- 📄 Proof of household income
- 📄 Certified copy of birth certificate (for dependants)
- 📄 Motivational letter
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the Compensation Fund Bursary?
- There are two groups: (1) unemployed COID beneficiaries with a permanent disablement caused by occupational injury or disease; (2) dependants of COID beneficiaries with permanent disablement and dependants of fatally injured employees, aged 17-35.
- What does COID mean?
- COID is the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, administered by the Compensation Fund. It compensates workers who are injured or contract diseases through their work, or their dependants in cases of fatal injury.
- When does the Compensation Fund Bursary close?
- The 2026 cycle closed on 31 March 2026. The next bursary cycle is expected to open in early 2027 with a similar March closing date - confirm via the Department of Employment and Labour website.
- How do I apply?
- Email your completed application and supporting documents to CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za with the subject line 'COID Bursary 2027', or hand-deliver to Compensation House in Prinshof, Pretoria.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 31 March 2027
Apply on Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour):
Information verified 2026-05-19. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
Other Government bursaries
More funding opportunities in this field
City of Cape Town External Bursary Programme
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The City of Cape Town runs an annual external bursary programme for Cape Town residents studying full-time towards qualifications in advertised scarce-skills fields such as engineering, accounting, IT, data science, environmental management and the built environment. The bursary covers registration, tuition and examination fees plus capped allowances for study aid, transport and meals, and can lead to year-for-a-year work experience with the City after graduation. Funding spans undergraduate through postgraduate study at accredited South African institutions, including TVET colleges.
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City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (administered in-house via the CoJ Human Resources / Skills Development office)
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Bursary Programme is a metropolitan government bursary that funds undergraduate study for academically capable students who permanently reside within the City of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Approximately 200 bursaries are awarded each cycle, covering registration, tuition and prescribed study material up to R40,000 per year across scarce-skills fields relevant to the City. It is distinct from the Gauteng Provincial Government GCRA bursary.
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