Funza Lushaka Scholarship Bursaries for South African Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Students

The Funza Lushaka Bursary

Course(s) Offered: Education, Teaching
Course Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Provider: South African Govt
Country to Study in: South Africa

Scholarship Description
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme to promote teaching as a profession. Bursaries are available to enable eligible students to complete a teaching qualification in an area of national priority. Recipients of these bursaries will be required to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary.

Recipients of the bursary must apply on-line for the bursary every year. The recipient must also complete the placement information as required every year. The provincial education department (PED) will place a graduate bursar in a suitable teaching post. If a particular PED does not have a suitable teaching post for the graduate bursar, the applicant may be placed in a PED that does have a suitable post. Please note that bursars cannot choose the school in which they would like to be placed and placement cannot be deferred for any reason.

The FLB Programme is funded by the National Treasury and executed by the Department of Education (DoE). The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administers the programme on behalf of the DoE via the Student Financial Aid Office at each Higher Education Institution (HEI).

Eligibility
Any academically gifted, young –

• learners, currently in Grade 12;
• graduates who want to complete a teaching qualification (enrol for a PGCE);
• people who want to make a career change and become teachers; and
• unemployed people who want to become teachers.

Prospective bursars must first gain admission at a higher education institution (HEI). The Financial Aid Office and/or the Faculty/School of Education at the HEI will have information on how to apply for the bursary.

Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria include the following:

• The bursary is only awarded to South African citizens with a valid South African ID number;
• The applicant should demonstrate good academic ability

Students must meet the minimum academic criteria for award of the bursary. In 2018, the minimum academic criteria are as listed on the 2018 Application Notes. Applicants must note that these are minimum criteria. Meeting these criteria does not mean automatic acceptance for the bursary. There are a limited number of bursaries available, and the best students will be selected for the bursary.

Eligible groups
Citizens of South Africa

Participating Institutions
This is a national programme that is run locally at every HEI that offers teacher education programmes.

Fields of study
Programmes to be funded:
Two types of qualifications can be funded. The qualification must include subjects which will allow the student to specialise as a teacher in at least two priority areas:

1). Undergraduate studies

• 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (B Ed), specialising in Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6), Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10-12).

2). Graduate studies

• One-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for graduates whose degrees include at least one major in one of the two priority subjects.

Take note that some universities offer qualifications which combine specialisation in the Foundation
Phase (Grade R - 3) and Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6), or the Intermediate Phase and Senior
Phase, or the Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10 –12). These combined
qualifications are also acceptable.

Number of awards
Not specified, several will be given

Sponsorship duration
The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time. It is not automatically re-awarded. Reaward will depend on academic success. There is no automatic promise of support for 4 years plus 1 more year. On evidence of academic success, and pending the availability of funds, the bursary
may be renewed each year until the recipient of the bursary has qualified as a teacher. Recipients of bursaries will be required to teach one year for every year for which they receive a bursary.

Scholarship benefits
Funza Lushaka bursaries cover most of the recipient’s essential expenses. Expenses may covered include tuition, accommodation including meals, books and learning materials, and if possible a small allowance for monthly living expenses. The allocation to any individual student is capped at a specific value. Where the university charges more than the capped value the bursars will have to top up from own funds. Universities have different cost structures, so the total value of a bursary differs from institution to institution.

Method of Application
Applications must only be made once students have been allocated a valid student number and have been accepted/provisionally accepted at their university of choice. All applications must be made online at www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za. Take note of the closing date. No applications will be entertained after the closing date. Students must apply online and submit supporting documentation to the university.

After your application has been completed online, you will be prompted to make a printout. This will serve as proof of your application. Keep a copy for yourself, and submit a copy to the university where you have been accepted and where you will be registering.

It is important to read through the FAQs and the 2018 Application Notes; and also to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information on applications.

DEADLINES:
Applications for the Funza Lushaka bursary for any coming year begins from 01 October of the previous year. Applications for 2018 will be accepted from 01 October 2017. Re-applications close on 17 November 2017; While new applications close on 12 January 2018

PLEASE NOTE:
Qualified recipients of the bursary must request placement in a province of their choice. The provincial education department (PED) concerned will determine whether there is suitable post available. If there is not, the applicant may be placed in a PED that does have suitable vacancies. Please note that bursars cannot choose the school in which they would like to be placed.

Application Deadline: 12 January 2018
Open to International students: No (ONLY South Africans)

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Scholarships in South Africa for International Students