In a significant development for students without financial support, an Urgent Student Notice has been issued announcing the launch of the ETDP SETA Bursary Scheme. This opportunity is aimed specifically at unemployed South African students who are not receiving income or alternative bursary support.
The Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) has outlined that the bursary is intended for individuals falling within the “missing middle” category. These are students who don’t qualify for NSFAS but still face major financial barriers in accessing higher education.
Funding Support for Public and Private Institutions
The bursary will be applicable to a wide range of public and private higher learning institutions across various provinces. These include the University of Mpumalanga in Mpumalanga, Sol Plaatjie University in the Northern Cape, and the University of Northwest in North West. In the Western Cape, it will apply to institutions like the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Cape Peninsula University, and the University of the Western Cape.
Private institutions registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training are also part of this funding initiative. These include Varsity College, Rosebank College, IIE MSA, Vega College, Stadio, Eduvos, Boston College, Inscape Education Group, Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology, Da Vinci Business School, and MANCOSA, among others.
Each institution will handle its own funding administration, and students must comply with university and faculty requirements. Admission and acceptance of bursary applications remain at the sole discretion of each institution.
What Students Need to Know Before Applying
The ETDP SETA bursary provides financial support of up to R120,000 per annum per student. This amount primarily covers registration and tuition fees, which are the top priority. However, the funding may not fully cover all personal and academic expenses, and any unused portion of the bursary will be returned to the SETA — not to the student.
One key stipulation is that students who have already received bursary funding from any other source are not eligible for this opportunity. The bursary is strictly reserved for unemployed students who have no alternate sources of funding.
To qualify, applicants must submit all the required documentation before registration. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Additionally, higher education institutions have the final say and reserve the right to decline any bursary application without explanation.
ETDP SETA has made it clear that no individual enquiries regarding this bursary will be entertained, reinforcing the importance of carefully reading and following all provided instructions.
The ETDP SETA Bursary Scheme serves as a vital lifeline for students who might otherwise be excluded from the higher education system due to financial constraints. Interested applicants are urged to act quickly and meet all the outlined criteria to take advantage of this critical opportunity.