The SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) invites qualifying learners and students from selected beneficiary communities to apply for the SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 November 2026 at 12:00 midday
Bursary Location: Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana, Joe Morolong, Tsantsabane and Thabazimbi, South Africa
About the SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme
The SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme is aimed at supporting qualifying learners and students who want to pursue post-matric studies at a public higher education institution.
The bursary is specifically intended for applicants who reside in and/or originate from one of the identified beneficiary communities:
- Gamagara
- Ga-Segonyana
- Joe Morolong
- Tsantsabane
- Thabazimbi
Applicants who do not meet the beneficiary-community requirement may not qualify, even if they meet the academic criteria.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Reside in and/or originate from one of the listed SIOC-CDT beneficiary communities.
- Be no older than 35 years by the closing date.
- Be accepted or provisionally accepted at a relevant public higher education institution for 2027.
- Demonstrate financial need for undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
- Come from a household with a combined gross annual income not exceeding R600,000.
- Have achieved an NSC average of at least 65%.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Priority Fields of Study
SIOC-CDT has identified the following priority study areas for 2027.
Agriculture
Priority fields include:
- Veterinary
- Livestock Product Analyst
- Environmental Officer
- Agricultural Economist
- Agricultural Engineer
- Food Technologists
- Food Technicians
Health and Clinical-Related Sciences
Priority fields include:
- MBChB
- Pharmacy
- Dentistry
- Advanced EMS
- Nursing
- Chemical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Biochemistry
Education
Priority fields include:
- FET Mathematics
- BEd FET Physical Science
- BEd Natural Sciences
- Economic and Management Science
- BEd Foundation Phase
- BEd Language
- BEd Special Needs
Law
The priority qualification is:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Tourism
Priority areas include:
- Hospitality Management
- Arts and Culture Heritage
- Eco-Tourism Management
Business Management and Economics
Priority fields include:
- Accounting
- Economics
- Auditing and Tax
- Actuarial Science
- Statistics and Mathematics
- Project Management
Engineering and Sciences
Priority fields include:
- Quantity Surveying
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
- Geology
- Electrical Engineering
- Town Planning
- Environmental Health
Information Technology
Priority IT fields include:
- Computer Sciences and Communication
- Software Development
- Data Science / Analytics
- Web Design and Development
What Does the SIOC-CDT Bursary Cover?
The bursary may cover:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Prescribed study material
- Laptop
- Monthly stipend
- Assistive devices for students with disabilities
The laptop is indicated as a once-off donation.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the completed application together with the relevant supporting documents.
These include:
- Certified copy of South African ID.
- Certified copy of latest Matric results.
- Mid-year Grade 12 results, where applicable.
- Latest university or academic results for students applying from second year onwards.
- Certified final NSC results if Matric was completed before 2026.
- Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance.
- Proof that you have applied to a recognised public higher education institution, where applicable.
- Recent proof of residence not older than three months.
- Proof of income for parents or guardians.
- Recent payslips, where applicable.
- Sworn affidavit where a parent or guardian is unemployed.
- SASSA grant recipient certificate, where applicable.
- Recent three months’ bank statements.
- Medical certificate confirming the type of disability, where applicable.
Applicants should prepare these documents early, as some may take time to obtain.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply either online or through a manual application.
Online Application
Applicants should complete the official SIOC-CDT online bursary application and upload the required supporting documents.
Click here to apply for the SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme 2027
Manual Application
Applicants may also complete a manual application form and submit it by hand.
Completed manual applications may be delivered to:
Kathu
SIOC-CDT Office Park
Block A, Ground Floor
Corner Hendrick Van Eck and Ian Flemming Road
Kathu
8446
Thabazimbi
SIOC-CDT Thabazimbi Business Hub
11 Jourdain Street
Mollies Building
Thabazimbi
0380
Important Information
Applicants should note that:
- Meeting the bursary criteria does not guarantee admission to a university or college.
- Applicants must still meet the admission requirements of their chosen institution and qualification.
- Application, shortlisting, interview or provisional selection does not guarantee that a bursary will be awarded.
- Applicants should submit their applications before the final day where possible.
Closing Date: Monday, 30 November 2026 at 12:00 midday