National Skills Fund Bursary: Requirements and How to Apply

Meta description: Learn how the National Skills Fund supports South African students through bursaries, skills training and learnerships, including eligibility and official application guidance.

Students looking for funding to study at a university, TVET college or skills training institution should know about the National Skills Fund (NSF). The fund supports education and training initiatives linked to South Africa’s skills shortages and economic development priorities. Depending on the programme, funding may support bursaries, scholarships, artisan training, learnerships and workplace-based learning. However, not every student can apply directly to the NSF at any time. Some opportunities are offered through approved institutions or implementing partners, so applicants should check the specific funding announcement and its requirements before preparing an application.

The National Skills Fund operates under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and was established under the Skills Development Act, 1998. Its role is to finance skills-development initiatives that support national priorities, including occupations in demand, vocational training and the development of practical workplace skills. The NSF also works with implementing partners, including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for certain bursary programmes. Although their work can overlap, the NSF and NSFAS are separate organisations with different responsibilities.

What is the National Skills Fund?

The National Skills Fund is a government skills-development funding entity that supports education, training and projects intended to improve South Africa’s skills base.

Its funding is directed towards national priorities rather than every course offered by every institution. The aim is to help develop the knowledge and practical abilities people need to enter employment, improve their career prospects or pursue self-employment.

The fund supports several types of initiatives, including:

Bursaries and scholarships for eligible students.
Artisan development and technical training.
Learnerships and structured skills programmes.
Workplace-based learning and practical experience.
Education and training initiatives at public institutions.
Research, innovation and projects that strengthen the post-school education and training system.

The availability of funding depends on the programme, the funding criteria and the relevant call for applications or proposals.

What courses does the National Skills Fund fund?

There is no single list of courses that applies to every NSF-funded opportunity. Supported fields depend on the particular funding programme and the skills needs it is intended to address.

The NSF’s work can include opportunities in areas such as:

Engineering and technical trades: Artisan development, technical qualifications and practical training designed to address demand for skilled workers.

Information technology and digital skills: Selected education and training initiatives intended to develop relevant technical capabilities.

Science and other scarce skills: Bursaries or scholarships for eligible qualifications identified as important to national skills priorities.

Agriculture and other priority sectors: Training initiatives that support relevant economic and development needs.

Vocational and occupational training: Programmes that equip learners with practical skills through TVET colleges, approved training providers and workplace-based learning.

These examples describe broad areas of NSF activity, not a guarantee that every course in each field is currently funded. Always check the advertised opportunity for the approved qualifications, institutions and eligibility conditions.

Who can qualify for National Skills Fund funding?

Eligibility depends on the specific programme. Students should not assume that the requirements for one NSF-supported bursary automatically apply to another.

For example, the NSFAS funder information page describes an NSF bursary programme for academically deserving undergraduate students from poor families who study in specified scarce and critical skills fields.

The listed baseline requirements for that programme include:

Being a South African citizen.
Having a valid South African identity document.
Having completed Grade 12 or the required school-level qualification.
Providing evidence of financial need.
Studying an eligible qualification in a field covered by the funding programme.
Meeting the relevant academic, registration and institutional requirements.

Additional criteria may apply depending on the funding opportunity. These could include academic performance, the institution attended, the approved field of study or other selection conditions.

Important: These requirements relate to the bursary information published by NSFAS for the NSF partnership. They should not be treated as universal eligibility rules for every National Skills Fund programme.

What expenses can the NSF bursary cover?

For the NSF bursary programme described by NSFAS, funding may cover eligible study expenses such as:

Tuition fees.
University or college residence fees.
Books and prescribed learning materials.
Travel costs, where applicable.
Allowances, depending on the programme’s requirements.

The precise funding package depends on the approved award and the applicable conditions. Do not assume that every recipient receives the same allowance or that every personal expense will be covered.

Before accepting funding, ask the relevant institution or programme administrator to confirm which costs are included and whether you will need to contribute towards any remaining expenses.

How to apply for National Skills Fund funding

The application process depends on the type of opportunity available. Some programmes are advertised for students through an institution or implementing partner, while other NSF funding opportunities invite qualifying organisations to submit proposals.

If you are a student looking for a bursary, follow these steps:

Visit the official NSF website. Check the funding section for current programmes and announcements.
Check the NSFAS funder information page. Look for information about the NSF bursary partnership and the applicable student requirements.
Confirm whether applications are open. Do not rely on old advertisements or previously published closing dates.
Read the eligibility requirements. Check the qualification, institution, financial and academic criteria for the specific opportunity.
Prepare your supporting documents. These may include your South African ID, Grade 12 results, academic record, proof of household income and proof of acceptance or registration, depending on the programme.
Follow the stated application process. If applications are handled through a university, TVET college or implementing partner, use that organisation’s official instructions.
Keep proof of submission. Save any confirmation, reference number or correspondence you receive.

Official links:

National Skills Fund: https://nsf.org.za/
NSFAS funder information: https://nsfas.org.za/content/funders.html

The NSF’s general funding application process also includes open and closed calls for proposals. These calls may target institutions, organisations or other qualifying stakeholders rather than individual students. An organisation’s eligibility to submit a proposal does not automatically mean that an individual student can apply directly for the same funding.

What documents should students prepare?

The required documents vary according to the bursary or training opportunity. Depending on the application instructions, students may need:

A valid South African ID.
Grade 12 results or the highest relevant school qualification.
Proof of acceptance or registration at an eligible institution.
An academic transcript, if they have previously studied.
Proof of household income or financial need.
Any additional forms or supporting documents specified in the advertisement.

Use the official checklist for the programme you intend to apply for. Preparing these documents in advance can make the application process easier, but submitting documents does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.

Can TVET college students benefit from NSF funding?

Yes, some NSF-funded initiatives support technical and vocational education and training, including artisan development, occupational programmes and skills training delivered through eligible institutions.

However, this does not mean that every TVET college course automatically qualifies for NSF funding. Students should confirm whether their college, qualification and training programme are included in the specific opportunity.

If you are considering a TVET course, ask the college’s financial aid office or programme coordinator whether NSF funding is available for your chosen qualification and how applications are handled.

Is the National Skills Fund the same as NSFAS?

No. The two organisations have different responsibilities.

The National Skills Fund finances skills-development priorities under the Department of Higher Education and Training. Its work includes training initiatives, bursaries and projects intended to address national skills needs.

NSFAS provides student financial aid and also administers funding on behalf of certain external funders, including the National Skills Fund under their partnership arrangements.

This distinction matters because students may find NSF-related information on the NSFAS website without the two organisations being the same entity. When applying, check which organisation administers the particular programme and which official portal is responsible for receiving applications.

How can you check whether an NSF funding opportunity is genuine?

Students should be careful when they see bursary announcements shared on social media, messaging groups or unofficial websites.

Before providing personal information or submitting documents:

Check whether the opportunity appears on an official government, NSF, NSFAS or participating institution’s website.
Confirm the name of the programme and the organisation responsible for administering it.
Verify the application deadline and eligibility requirements.
Avoid anyone demanding an unofficial payment to guarantee a bursary.
Never share passwords or one-time passwords with people claiming to process an application.
Contact the relevant institution if the application instructions are unclear.

A genuine funding opportunity should have identifiable requirements and a clear process for applying or obtaining further information.

Frequently asked questions

Is the National Skills Fund bursary open for applications?

Application availability depends on the particular programme. Check the official NSF and NSFAS websites for current announcements and instructions. Do not assume that an older advertisement is still valid.

Does the NSF fund university students?

Yes, some NSF-supported programmes provide bursaries or scholarships for eligible students, including undergraduate students studying in specified scarce and critical skills fields. Eligibility depends on the programme.

Does the National Skills Fund support learnerships?

The NSF supports skills-development initiatives that include learnerships, artisan development and workplace-based learning. However, the availability of a specific learnership depends on the relevant programme and implementing partner.

Do students apply directly to the National Skills Fund?

Not always. Some student funding opportunities are administered through NSFAS, universities, TVET colleges or other approved partners. The NSF also issues funding calls directed at organisations and institutions. Follow the application route specified in the relevant announcement.

Does NSF funding have to be repaid?

The repayment conditions depend on the particular award and its agreement. The NSF bursary programme described on the NSFAS funder page is identified as a full-cost bursary that does not require repayment through money or a stipulated service obligation. Students should nevertheless confirm the terms of their specific award before accepting it.

Where can I find official NSF information?

Visit the National Skills Fund website at https://nsf.org.za/ or the NSFAS funder information page at https://nsfas.org.za/content/funders.html. These sources provide information about the fund’s activities, bursary partnership and relevant funding processes.

Final thoughts

The National Skills Fund helps support education and training initiatives that address South Africa’s skills-development priorities. Depending on the programme, this support may create opportunities for students pursuing scarce skills qualifications, as well as learners entering technical training, artisan development and workplace-based learning.

If you need financial assistance, start by checking the official funding information and identifying a programme that matches your circumstances. Confirm the requirements, application route and current availability before submitting personal documents.

Official sources

Disclaimer

mynsfas.org.za is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the National Skills Fund (NSF), or nsfas.org.za. We publish information to help students understand funding opportunities, application processes and educational updates. Information may change, so readers should confirm important details through official NSF, NSFAS, DHET or relevant institutional channels before making decisions. This website is for informational purposes only and does not replace official guidance.

National Skills Fund (NSF) Bursary: Requirements, Funded Courses and How to Apply