The Department Of Agriculture Bursary Awards for 2026

Closing date for all applications: 30 September 2025

The Department of Agriculture (DoA) intends to award comprehensive bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing and/or intending to further their studies in identified careers in the agriculture sector for the 2026 academic year. The bursary will cover tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a monthly allowance. The bursary awards target the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and rural communities.

Criteria:

1. Applicants must be South African citizens.
2. Applicants must complete the relevant bursary application forms available from the website address: www.nda.gov.za (Click on vacancies).
3. Applicants who apply for fields of study that are not listed above will not be considered.
4. Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only. If you have not received any communication from the department within 14 days after the release of Grade 12 results, and after the National Bursary Committee has finalised the selection process, consider your application unsuccessful.
5. Applicants who are not in possession of their university acceptance letter or results can submit their application while waiting for the said documents. However, these documents must be submitted within three (3) days after the release of Grade 12 results in January 2026.
6. No late application forms will be considered.
7. The Department of Agriculture (DoA) reserves the right to determine the total number of bursary allocations for the academic year based on the total budget available.

Click here for forms

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All completed bursary application forms together with all supporting documents should be sent to the following email address (Affidavits will not be accepted): Externalbursaries@dalrrd.gov.za

Standard Bank Student Loan Offers

Set your dreams in motion with a Standard Bank Student Loan Without Surety

Standard Bank is offering students an opportunity to get a Student Loan Without Surety – meaning you do not require a guardian or parent to be able to take up this loan. We understand that it may be stressful looking for funding, and that is why you need a bank that backs you.

Minimum Criteria

• You must be a South African citizen.
• Your Gross Household Income must be less than R600 000 per annum.
• 3rd Year students and upwards within Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematic, Commerce, Health Sciences and 5th Year students in Medicine.
• Open to existing Standard Bank Transactional Account holders. You may apply for one using our digital and other banking channels if you don’t have one
• Study at one of our participating universities

How does it work?

• The loan maximum is R120 000 per annum, which can be used to cover tuition, accommodation, books and study equipment.
• There is no expectation of repayment on the loan while you are studying. However, you will be expected to start repaying the loan six months after completing your studies or as soon as you secure employment. Of course, it will be to your advantage to reduce your balance by making some payments while studying.
• Monthly interest and service fees will be charged from the loan’s inception and will be added to the outstanding balance.
• This loan can cover your existing university student debt up to R80 000 for each previous year that may be preventing you from completing your studies
• Competitive interest rates apply.