The Compensation Fund is opening a special bursary program for people who have lost their jobs because of a permanent injury or sickness that happened at work. If you are an unemployed COID (Workers’ Compensation, Injuries and Deaths) beneficiary with a permanent disability, or the child or relative of a worker who died or is permanently disabled, you can apply for the External Bursary Programme 2026. The application deadline is 31 March 2026.
What the Bursary Gives You
This bursary is a chance to go to a public college or university in South Africa without having to pay the full cost yourself. It covers:
- Tuition fees for your courses.
- Books, stationery and other required learning materials.
- A monthly stipend to help with everyday living costs.
- Accommodation if you need to live close to school.
Each year the bursary can be renewed as long as you keep up your grades and there is still money available.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the 2026 External Bursary you must:
- Be an unemployed COID beneficiary with a permanent disability, or a dependent (child or relative) of such an employee, or a dependent of a worker who died on the job.
- Have a letter of acceptance from a recognised public technical, vocational, or higher education institution. This could be a TVET college, CET college, or university.
- Fill out the bursary application form completely.
- Supply certain documents, such as:
- Your COID pension or claim number.
- A certified copy of your parent or guardian’s ID, or a death certificate (if you are a dependent).
- A copy of your own ID.
- Proof that the school has accepted you.
- A medical report that proves your disability, issued by a health professional or the Disability Support Office.
- Enroll in full‑time study. Students with disabilities can sometimes study part‑time in special situations.
Who is the Program For
| Target Group | Age | What You Can Study | Who Can Offer It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent COID beneficiaries | Working‑age people | Courses that help you return to work or start your own business | Public TVET colleges, CET colleges, universities |
| Dependents of a permanent COID beneficiary or a deceased worker | 17–35 years | Qualifications listed on page 4 of the application form | Public TVET colleges, CET colleges, universities |
How to Apply
Start by downloading the application form from the Department of Employment and Labour website:
Visit the Department of Employment and Labour website to get the form.
Once you’ve filled out the form and gathered all the required documents, you can send everything to the Compensation Fund in one of these ways:
- By postal mail or courier:
Sub‑Sub‑Directorate: Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Employment and Labour – Compensation Fund
Private Bag X955, Pretoria, 0001
- Hand delivery (September to December 2025):
167 Thabo Sehume Street, Delta Heights Building, Pretoria
- Hand delivery (from January 2026 onward):
Compensation House, Corner Hamilton & Soutpansberg Road, Prinshof, Pretoria
- By email:
Email: CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za
Need Help or Have Questions?
Call the Compensation Fund at:
- Phone: (012) 319 9264 / (012) 319 5774 / (012) 319 9124
- Toll‑free: 0800 321 322 / 0860 10 5350
- Text: 44967
They are ready to answer any questions and help you through the process.
Just a quick reminder: if you submit your application and do not hear back within two months, your application has not been accepted.