Looking for a scholarship to study agriculture in 2026? The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) is buzzing with a new bursary program that could cover either all or part of your university fees. This is a perfect chance for students living in South Africa’s sugarcane farms to get the support they need to dive into farming, agribusiness, and related subjects. The deadline to apply is 21 November 2025, so get ready now!
What is SITFE?
SITFE started in 1965 and is one of the oldest private clubs that fund student education in South Africa. Its main goal is to help kids who live in rural sugarcane areas finish higher learning. The fund supplies money so that future farmers, scientists, and managers in the sugar industry can join the next wave of talent. The program hits hard in two sugar regions: KwaZulu‑Natal and Mpumalanga.
Which Universities Count?
To get the bursary, you must study at one of these schools:
- Cedara College of Agriculture
- Owen Sithole College of Agriculture
- University of Mpumalanga
Each place offers courses that teach practical farming, crop science, and how to make sugar from cane. These schools are great for anyone who wants to keep sustainable farming alive in their community.
Who Can Apply?
Only South African citizens can apply, but you must live in KwaZulu‑Natal or Mpumalanga. You also need to be in or have finished high school (Matric). Finally, you must have applied or be registered for an agriculture‑related course at a recognized university or agricultural college. The idea is to help students from families with a modest income level – household earnings between R350 000 and R600 000 each year – that don’t have a lot of money for tuition. SITFE especially prefers students who:
- Have parents who work on sugarcane farms
- Come from disadvantaged backgrounds in sugar regions
- Are first‑year students near a sugar mill or a school of agriculture
How Are Winners Chosen?
- The team looks at your 11th‑grade grades, the exam scores you get mid‑year in Matric, or your most recent university marks.
- Chosen applicants will be contacted in early December and asked to attend a face‑to‑face interview in mid‑December.
- All final decisions will be announced by 31 January 2026, after your Matric results are available.
- If you receive a full scholarship or a student loan from somewhere else, SITFE can pull your bursary. So make sure you keep your options open and stay organized.
What Do You Need to Send?
Only complete applications get looked at. You’ll need certified copies of these items:
- Photo ID copy
- Matric top‑score sheet and certificate (copy)
- Most recent college or university results (if you’re already studying)
- Proof that you or your family works in the sugar industry (if you’re applying as a work‑connected student)
- Proof of your household’s income – payslips, pension slips, or a notarised statement
- Death certificate – only if your parent is deceased (this is required for special support)
- Proof that you have applied or registered at a university or agricultural college. It must be on the school’s official stationery.
How to Apply
Option 1: Online
Apply online for the SITFE Bursary 2026 – it’s quick and easy. Just fill out the form, attach the documents and you’re set. Make sure you select the correct field for where you heard about the bursary.
Option 2: Paper
Download the application PDF here. Print it out, write everything in neat handwriting and send the completed form along with your documents in one of these ways:
- Email: bursaries@sasa.org.za – put “SITFE Bursary 2026” in the subject line.
- Post: Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education, P.O. Box 700, Mount Edgecombe, 4300.
While sending, type www.zabursaries.co.za for the question “how did you hear about this?” so we know where the info came from.
Key Dates
- Send applications by 21 November 2025
- Shortlisting happens early December 2025
- Interviews are mid‑December 2025
- Final decisions go out by 31 January 2026
Emails or letters will alert you if your application makes the cut. Please keep an eye on your inbox or mailbox every day.
Why Take This Bursary?
- The money can cover all or part of your study fees for agriculture. Imagine starting college without the worry of tuition piling up.
- You’ll learn at one of the top three agriculture schools in the country, so your training will be as good as it gets.
- Because you’re from a sugar region, you’ll likely get extra support—your background matters here.
- By studying where you live, you become part of the local economy and help your community grow better crops and keep the sugar industry vibrant.
Ready to take the first step? Grab the online form, gather your papers, and apply before the 21 November deadline. Your future in agriculture could be just an email away.