The Free State Office of the Premier invites eligible students to apply for its bursary program for the 2025 academic year.
Free State Office of the Premier Bursary 2025
This initiative aims to support learners and students in critical and scarce skills fields, contributing to provincial and national economic growth.
The Free State Office of the Premier is vital in driving the strategic direction and ensuring integrated service delivery within the Free State Provincial Government.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting the Premier and Executive Council to achieve government goals.
- Providing strategic coordination for Free State government departments, especially for cross-cutting support functions.
- Aligning the activities of departments and municipalities with government priorities to promote effective governance.
Fields of Study Covered
The bursary covers studies in critical and scarce skills areas, including:
- Commercial fields (e.g., BAcc, BCom Accounting/Economics, Actuarial Science).
- Psychological studies (e.g., Clinical, Forensic, and Developmental Psychology with an Early Childhood Development focus).
- Skills aligned with the Provincial Work Skills Plan.
- Skills for the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
- STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
This bursary program cultivates skills essential for economic development and workforce capacity building.
Bursary Categories
Applicants fall into one of three categories:
Category A – Top Achievers:
- Students identified as Top Performing Learners by the Free State Department of Education.
- Household income below R600,000 annually.
Category B – Missing Middle:
- Students from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 annually.
Category C – Marginalised Students:
- Students from low-income backgrounds with no breadwinner, household income, or SASSA-dependent students not approved by NSFAS.
- Annual household income below R70,000.
What the Bursary Covers
The bursary provides funding for:
- Registration fees.
- Tuition fees for registered subjects.
- Accommodation (shared rooms).
- Meals, books, and study materials.
- Special equipment for specific study fields or disabled students (as the institution recommends).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
General Requirements for All Categories:
- Be a South African citizen residing in the Free State.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 35.
- A matric certificate is required.
- Accepted to study full-time at a recognised Higher Education Institution (HEI) in South Africa in one of the specified fields.
- Must not be receiving other bursaries or sponsorships.
Category-Specific Requirements:
- Category A – Top Achievers:
- Identified as a Top Performing Learner by the Free State Department of Education.
- Category B – Missing Middle:
- Household income between R350,000 and R600,000.
- Category C – Marginalised Students:
- Household income below R70,000.
- Achieved a minimum overall average of 50% for Mathematics, Science, or other significant subjects in Matric.
How to Apply
Download the application form:
Complete the Free State Office of the Premier Bursary Application Form 2025 available at: Free State Bursary Application.
Submit the following documents with your application:
- Certified copy of your ID.
- Certified copy of Matric certificate or latest exam results.
- Proof of acceptance from a recognised HEI.
- Proof of residence (e.g., municipal bill or affidavit).
- Certified copies of parent/guardian IDs.
- Proof of household income (payslips, affidavit, or SASSA grant proof).
- A motivational letter supporting your application.
- If previously funded, provide evidence of why funding was discontinued.
Submit your application to:
FSTDI Brahman Building
124 Nelson Mandela Drive
Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301
(Bursary Unit at Reception)
Closing Date
31 January 2025 (16:00).
Late applications will not be considered.
For queries, contact the following:
- Mr. ME Makhetha: Tel: 065 742 5935 | Email: makhetha.makhetha@fspremier.gov.za
- Ms. NB Thekiso: Tel: 060 533 4702 | Email: nthabiseng.thekiso@fspremier.gov.za
- Ms. MC Motaung: Tel: 065 742 6737 | Email: motshidisi.motaung@fspremier.gov.za
Alternatively, visit the Bursary Office at Brahman Building or send postal correspondence to:
Bursary Section, Private Bag X20565, Bloemfontein, 9300.