South African students planning to study at university in 2027 have another funding opportunity to consider as the Motsepe Foundation 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary opens for applications.
The Motsepe Foundation has confirmed that its 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary applications are open, making this an important opportunity for qualifying students who may need financial support for tertiary education.
The current application information indicates that the bursary is aimed at academically strong students who can demonstrate financial need and who meet the Foundation’s study-field and geographical requirements.
The reported closing date for the 2027 application cycle is 16 October 2026. Because bursary requirements and application details can change, applicants should check the Foundation’s official platform before submitting their applications.
Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 at a glance
- Bursary provider: Motsepe Foundation
- Academic year: 2027
- Study level: Undergraduate
- Citizenship: South African applicants
- Academic requirement: Generally above 70%, subject to the Foundation’s stated calculation
- Financial need: Required
- Study areas: Selected STEAM and Humanities fields
- Funding: Tuition, registration and other approved study-related costs
- Closing date: 16 October 2026
- Application: Online through the Foundation’s designated application process
The Foundation’s own website currently identifies the opportunity as the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary under its Higher Education programmes.
What does the Motsepe Foundation Bursary cover?
One of the most important reasons students should consider the programme is that the bursary can extend beyond university tuition.
Current 2027 bursary information lists support that may include:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Books and stationery
- A laptop
- University-accredited accommodation
- A meal allowance
- Tutor support
- Mental-wellness support
The exact benefits available to an individual successful applicant should be confirmed against the official bursary terms because funding arrangements can depend on the programme and the Foundation’s assessment.
This is particularly relevant for students who are calculating the real cost of studying, rather than looking only at university tuition.
A student may still need to budget for transport, personal expenses, registration-related requirements or costs not covered by the bursary. Understanding the difference between tuition funding and total student living costs can help applicants make better financial decisions before accepting a study offer.
Which fields of study are funded?
The 2027 programme focuses on selected fields within STEAM, together with specified Humanities programmes.
Reported fields include:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Accounting
- Mathematics
- Music
- LLB
Students should not assume that every qualification containing one of these broad subjects automatically qualifies.
The exact qualification should be checked against the current Motsepe Foundation application information before an application is submitted.
Who can apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary?
Applicants need to satisfy the Foundation’s eligibility requirements.
The current information indicates that applicants should generally:
- Be South African citizens
- Demonstrate financial need
- Meet the required academic standard
- Intend to study an eligible qualification
- Meet the Foundation’s geographical requirements
- Provide the required supporting documentation
The reported academic threshold is above 70%, with the calculation excluding subjects such as Life Orientation and Home Language according to the current application information. Applicants should use their official academic results when calculating their average.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not mean that funding is automatically guaranteed. Bursaries remain competitive and applications are assessed according to the Foundation’s selection criteria.
Where does the Motsepe Foundation bursary apply?
An important point that applicants should not overlook is geographical eligibility.
The current information identifies selected communities and districts in provinces including:
- Gauteng
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- North West
- Western Cape
- Northern Cape
Examples of listed areas include Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng in Gauteng, as well as selected districts in other provinces.
This means that simply being a South African citizen may not be enough.
Applicants should confirm that their residential area is included in the current programme before spending time completing the application.
Documents applicants should prepare
Students should start preparing supporting documents before the deadline rather than waiting until the last day.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the requirements on the current application form, documents may include:
- South African ID
- Parents’ or legal guardians’ ID documents
- Latest academic results or transcript
- Proof of household income
- Proof of residence
- Testimonial letter from a school principal, religious leader or traditional leader
- Proof of current studies where applicable
- Other documents requested by the Foundation
Current bursary information specifically identifies a testimonial and proof of residence among the supporting requirements.
Applicants should make sure that documents are clear, complete and in the required format.
Why students should not wait until the closing date
The closing date currently reported for the 2027 Motsepe Foundation Bursary is 16 October 2026.
Waiting until the final day can create unnecessary problems.
For example, an applicant may discover that:
- A required document is missing
- A testimonial has not yet been obtained
- A parent or guardian’s income information is incomplete
- The chosen qualification is not eligible
- The applicant’s residential area does not qualify
- A document upload does not work correctly
A better approach is to check eligibility first, gather the documents and then complete the application well before the deadline.
Motsepe Foundation Bursary vs NSFAS
Students should also understand that the Motsepe Foundation bursary is not the same programme as NSFAS.
NSFAS is South Africa’s public student-financial-aid system, while the Motsepe Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation.
For the 2027 academic year, NSFAS opened its application cycle on 18 September 2026, with applications scheduled to close on 31 October 2026 according to NSFAS.
This means eligible students should investigate all appropriate funding options rather than assuming that one application will cover every possible source of financial assistance.
Applicants should, however, carefully read the terms of each funding programme before accepting multiple awards, because some bursaries have rules concerning other funding.
A financial-planning lesson for students
University funding is not only about getting a bursary.
Students should also understand what their funding actually covers.
For example, if tuition and accommodation are covered but transport, personal expenses or certain study costs are not, those expenses still need to be planned for.
This is one reason students and families should keep documentation of household income, monthly expenses and existing funding commitments.
Developing these basic financial-planning habits early can help students make more informed decisions about their education and future careers.
For students interested in accounting, finance, economics, business, technology or other financial-services careers, understanding budgeting and financial responsibility can also become useful beyond university.
How to apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027
Applicants should use the official Motsepe Foundation application platform and carefully follow the instructions provided for the 2027 bursary.
Before submitting:
- Confirm that you meet the academic requirement.
- Confirm that your intended qualification is supported.
- Check your geographical eligibility.
- Gather your identification documents.
- Prepare academic results.
- Prepare proof of household income.
- Obtain any required testimonial.
- Complete all sections of the application.
- Check that uploaded documents are readable.
- Submit before the closing date.
Closing date currently reported: 16 October 2026.
Click here to apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursaries
Official Motsepe Foundation: motsepefoundation.org
Important warning about bursary scams
Students should never pay an individual who promises to secure a Motsepe Foundation bursary.
Be especially cautious if someone:
- Requests an application fee
- Promises guaranteed selection
- Requests money to “speed up” an application
- Asks for banking details unnecessarily
- Contacts you through an unofficial account claiming to represent the Foundation
Always verify application information through the Foundation’s official website or application platform.
Do not assume that a social-media post or WhatsApp message is genuine simply because it uses the Motsepe Foundation’s name or logo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 open?
Yes. The Motsepe Foundation’s website currently states that 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary applications are open.
When does the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 close?
The current published bursary information gives 16 October 2026 as the closing date. Applicants should confirm the date on the official application platform before submitting.
What average do I need?
Current information reports an academic average of above 70%, with Life Orientation and Home Language excluded from the calculation. Applicants should follow the Foundation’s current calculation instructions.
Does the bursary cover accommodation?
Current 2027 information lists university-accredited accommodation among the benefits.
Does it cover a laptop?
A laptop is listed among the current bursary benefits. Applicants should confirm the applicable terms before assuming that every student will receive the same equipment benefit.
Can I apply if I already have NSFAS?
Students should check the terms of both funding programmes and disclose other funding where required. Do not assume that two funding awards can automatically be combined.
Does meeting the requirements guarantee funding?
No. Meeting the minimum criteria makes an applicant eligible for consideration but does not guarantee selection.
Final word
The Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 could provide meaningful financial support for eligible South African students entering undergraduate study, particularly because the current programme information extends beyond tuition to other education-related expenses.
However, applicants should focus on the details that determine eligibility: academic performance, financial need, qualifying study fields, geographical requirements and supporting documentation.
With the reported closing date of 16 October 2026, students should begin preparing their documents now rather than leaving the application until the deadline.
The Foundation’s own website confirms that the 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary is open, while the application requirements and deadline should be checked against the live application information before submission.
Editorial and publishing note
This LearnSETA article was independently prepared using the Motsepe Foundation’s official website together with current bursary information published by South African education and bursary resources. The official Foundation information was prioritised for the status of the 2027 programme.
Requirements, qualifying areas, benefits and deadlines can change. Applicants should therefore treat the official Motsepe Foundation application platform as the final authority before submitting personal information.
LearnSETA is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation.
Sources
- Motsepe Foundation — official website and 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary announcement.
- Motsepe Foundation — official organisational information and Higher Education programme.
- NSFAS — 2027 application cycle information.
- Current 2027 Motsepe Foundation bursary information and eligibility details.