South Africa’s unemployed youth have just received a powerful opportunity to change their future. The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) has officially opened Discretionary Grant – Unemployed Bursaries for the 2026/2027 academic year, targeting young people aged 18 to 35 who have been accepted or registered at public tertiary institutions. This funding window could be the difference between delaying your studies and finally stepping into a career that matters.
- Check if you Qualify for this Bursary before you Apply
- Track your Daily Career Score Here
- Create and Download your CV for this Bursary Application here
- Create a Motivational Letter for this Bursary Application here
- Check if you also Qualify for NSFAS Funding here
- Check if you Qualify for TVET College Enrolment here
- View more 2026 Bursaries here
Quick Overview
| Item | Details |
| Bursary Type | Discretionary Grant – Unemployed Bursary |
| Target Group | Unemployed South African youth (18–35) |
| Study Year | 2026 Academic Year |
| Institutions | Public Universities & Public Tertiary Institutions |
| Priority Fields | LLB, Veterinary Science, STEM & High-Demand Occupations |
| Application Opens | 14 December 2025 |
| Closing Date | 30 January 2026 at 23:59 |
| Submission Method | Email (single application only) |
| Official Email | bursaries2026@sasseta.org.za |
| Funding Authority | SASSETA |
About SASSETA
The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) is a statutory body established under the Skills Development Act. It oversees skills development for sectors including:
- Policing and law enforcement
- Legal services
- Corrections and justice
- Defence and security-related services
SASSETA has a strong track record of funding bursaries, learnerships, internships, and discretionary grants, making it a trusted authority in workforce development. This bursary programme follows Bursary Policy Version 6, ensuring transparency, compliance, and fairness in funding decisions
Fields of Study Covered
Priority Qualifications
The following fields receive first priority:
- LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
- Veterinary Science
- STEM Qualifications
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Other High-Demand Qualifications
SASSETA also allocates funding to other qualifications aligned with occupations in high demand, as published by DHET and listed in the official SASSETA advert banner.
Important: You may only apply for qualifications that appear on SASSETA’s official approved list.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Requirements)
You must meet all of the following:
- South African citizen
- Aged 18–35 years
- Unemployed at the time of application
- Registered or accepted for 2026 at a public tertiary institution
- Studying an approved qualification
- Able to provide full supporting documentation
Preference Is Given To:
- Applicants from poor households (≤ R350 000 per year)
- Applicants from the missing middle (R350 000 – R600 000 per year)
- Youth from marginalised communities
Compulsory Documents Checklist
Before you apply, prepare all documents in advance:
- Certified copy of your South African ID (not older than 6 months)
- Certified Matric certificate / statement of results / highest qualification
- Proof of registration or acceptance for 2026
- Certified copy of parent/guardian ID
- Affidavit confirming household income and employment status
Missing documents = automatic disqualification.
How to Apply
- Download and complete the official SASSETA bursary application form from the SASSETA website under Discretionary Grants.
- Compile all documents into one PDF or email submission.
- Ensure total attachments do not exceed 20MB.
- Email your application to:
bursaries2026@sasseta.org.za - Submit before 30 January 2026 at 23:59.
No hand-delivered, couriered, duplicated, or password-protected applications allowed.
Disqualification Traps to Avoid
Your application will be rejected if:
- Submitted late
- Missing documents
- Submitted more than once
- Exceeds 20MB
- Contains modified or tampered forms
- Uses password-protected files or time-limited links
Before you Apply, Check the Edupstairs Youth Tools Hub below that can be helpful in your application
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
What Happens After You Apply?
SASSETA uses a three-phase evaluation process:
- Compliance checking
- Evaluation
- Adjudication
Only fully compliant applications are considered. If you do not receive feedback within 90 days after closing, assume your application was unsuccessful.
Edupstairs Advice (Read This Carefully)
At Edupstairs, we strongly advise applicants to:
- Apply early, not on the last day
- Double-check qualification alignment
- Use a clean, professional email subject line
- Keep copies of everything you submit
- Avoid agents—this application is FREE
Career Growth Path After This Bursary
A SASSETA bursary can open doors to:
- Learnerships & internships funded by SETAs
- Entry into legal, STEM, or professional security sectors
- Public service, law enforcement, compliance, and governance careers
- Postgraduate funding and sector-linked employment
This is not just funding—it’s career positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I apply if I already receive NSFAS?
A: No. You must confirm you are not funded by NSFAS or any other bursary.
Q: Can I apply if I am still waiting for acceptance?
A: No. You need proof of acceptance or registration.
Q: Can employed youth apply?
A: No. This bursary is strictly for unemployed applicants.
Q: Is there a stipend?
A: Funding amounts depend on SASSETA’s Bursary Policy and approved limits.
CLOSING DATE: 30 JANUARY 2025
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Disclaimer
This article is published by Edupstairs for informational purposes only. Applicants must verify details directly with SASSETA. Edupstairs does not guarantee placement or funding.
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR SCAM/FRAUD ALERT PAGE HERE