The Tiso Foundation Bursary 2027 is open to eligible South African students who need financial assistance to pursue undergraduate studies.
The programme is aimed at South African citizens aged 18 to 34 who meet the foundation’s academic, financial and other eligibility requirements. Applicants must also belong to the previously disadvantaged groups specified by the foundation.
The bursary supports eligible degrees and national diplomas at accredited institutions. In addition to financial assistance, the foundation states that its programme includes academic support, life skills mentoring and career networking opportunities.
Applications for the 2027 academic year close on 8 October 2026.
Students should carefully check the eligibility criteria before applying because several study options are specifically excluded from the programme.
Tiso Foundation Bursary 2027: Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bursary Provider | Tiso Foundation |
| Academic Year | 2027 |
| Study Level | Undergraduate |
| Age | 18–34 years |
| Citizenship | South African |
| Matric Requirement | Minimum 70% average |
| Current University Students | Minimum 65% average |
| Financial Need | Required |
| Employment Status | Unemployed applicants |
| Funded Qualifications | Degrees and national diplomas |
| Higher Certificates | Not funded |
| Private Institutions | Not funded |
| Distance Learning | Not funded |
| References | Academic or character references |
| Closing Date | 8 October 2026 |
Who Can Apply for the Tiso Foundation Bursary?
The bursary is intended for South African citizens between 18 and 34 years old who meet the foundation’s eligibility criteria.
Applicants must demonstrate both academic ability and financial need. The foundation also considers other qualities, including dedication, a positive attitude towards learning and community involvement.
Applicants should therefore not focus only on their marks. The selection process also considers the broader circumstances and information provided by applicants.
Tiso Foundation Bursary Requirements
Applicants must meet the relevant academic and personal requirements before applying.
The main requirements include:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be between 18 and 34 years old.
- Meet the applicable academic requirement.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be unemployed.
- Study or intend to study towards an eligible undergraduate qualification.
- Study at an eligible accredited institution.
- Provide appropriate academic or character references.
- Meet the foundation’s other programme requirements.
Applicants should check their most recent academic results before beginning the application.
Academic Requirements
The required average depends on whether the applicant is a current Matric learner or already studying at university.
Matric Applicants
Applicants completing Matric must have a minimum 70% average.
Current University Students
Students already enrolled at university must have a minimum 65% average.
The foundation’s stated academic requirements are summarised in its 2027 programme information.
Meeting the academic requirement does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected.
What Qualifications Does the Tiso Foundation Fund?
The bursary supports:
- Undergraduate degrees
- National diplomas
The foundation states that the funding applies to degrees and national diplomas at accredited institutions.
Applicants should confirm that their specific qualification is eligible before applying.
Qualifications Not Funded
One of the most important parts of the application process is understanding what the Tiso Foundation does not fund.
The foundation specifically excludes:
Higher Certificates
Higher Certificate programmes are not funded.
Private Institutions
Students studying at private institutions are not eligible for funding under the stated rules.
Distance Learning
Distance-learning programmes are also excluded.
Therefore, meeting the general academic and financial requirements is not enough if the intended programme falls into one of these excluded categories.
Applicants should confirm that both their qualification and institution meet the bursary requirements before submitting an application.
Financial Need Requirement
Academic performance is only one part of the eligibility criteria.
The foundation states that it looks for unemployed applicants who meet its financial-need requirements.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to provide accurate information about their financial circumstances if requested during the application process.
A strong academic record alone does not guarantee a bursary.
What Does the Tiso Foundation Bursary Cover?
The foundation states that its financial assistance covers eligible degrees and national diplomas.
However, the supplied information does not provide a fixed rand value or a detailed item-by-item allowance schedule.
The programme also provides additional support beyond the financial component, including:
- Academic support
- Life skills mentoring
- Career networking opportunities
- Networking with corporate and institutional partners
The exact funding conditions may depend on the applicant’s circumstances, so applicants should review the foundation’s terms carefully before applying.
References Are Required
Applicants must provide academic or character references as part of the application.
The foundation requires references from appropriate academic or character witnesses.
Before applying, applicants should:
- Identify a suitable referee.
- Confirm that the person is willing to provide a reference.
- Check that the referee’s contact details are correct.
- Make sure the reference meets the foundation’s requirements.
Having this information ready can help applicants complete their application accurately.
What the Foundation Looks For
The Tiso Foundation’s programme considers more than academic marks.
The foundation highlights qualities such as:
- Positive attitude towards learning
- Dedication
- Community involvement
- Academic performance
- Financial need
This means applicants should provide complete and accurate information about their academic and personal circumstances rather than concentrating only on their marks.
How to Apply for the Tiso Foundation Bursary 2027
Applicants should use the Tiso Foundation’s application system and carefully review the eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Before starting, check that you:
- Are between 18 and 34 years old.
- Are a South African citizen.
- Meet the required academic average.
- Can demonstrate financial need.
- Are pursuing an eligible degree or national diploma.
- Are not studying at a private institution.
- Are not applying for distance learning.
- Have an appropriate academic or character referee.
The source directs applicants to the Tiso Foundation’s tertiary bursary programme for the application process.
Tiso Foundation Bursary Application: Tiso Foundation Tertiary Bursary Programme
Applicants should verify the latest requirements on the foundation’s application page before submitting their information.
Tiso Foundation Bursary Closing Date
The closing date for the Tiso Foundation Bursary 2027 is:
8 October 2026
Applicants should allow enough time to gather their academic information, references and other required details before the deadline.
Late applications may not be considered, so eligible students should avoid waiting until the final day.
Tiso Foundation Bursary 2027 Application Checklist
Before submitting an application, applicants should check the following:
Personal Eligibility
- I am between 18 and 34 years old.
- I am a South African citizen.
- I meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
Academic Requirements
- I
