Department of Environmental Affairs Bursary South Africa

Department of Environmental Affairs Bursary South Africa

ABOUT THE COMPANY – DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), previously known as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism until 2009, is responsible for protecting the environment and natural resources for present and future generations, as well as maintaining and conserving an environment that is not harmful to the wellbeing or health of its citizens.

As one of the departments of the South African government, the DEA are also responsible for providing leadership in conservation, protection, environmental management and sustainability, to benefit not only South African citizens, but also the international community.

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

Bursaries will be awarded within the following fields of study:
Environmental Programmes (Ref: EP/01/2026)

  • Biological Resources (BSc: Environmental Science)
  • Biological Sciences (BSc)
  • Botany (BSc)
  • Biochemistry (BSc)
  • Conservation Ecology (BSc)
  • Crop and Horticulture Science (Degree/ National Diploma)
  • Environmental Economics (BSc: Environmental Science)
  • Environmental Law (BSc: Environmental Science)
  • Environmental Science (BSc)
  • Forestry (BTech/ National Diploma)
  • Forensic Science (BTech/ National Diploma)
  • Genetics (BSc)
  • Industrial and Applied Biotechnology (Degree/ National Diploma)
  • Microbiology (BSc)
  • Molecular Biology (BSc)
  • Nature Conservation (BTech/ National Diploma)
  • People and the Environment (BSc: Environmental Science)
  • Procedural Law/ Law of contracts (LLM)
  • Water Resources (BSc: Environmental Science)
  • Zoology (BSc)

Biodiversity and Conservation (Ref: B&C/01/2026)

  • Aquatic health (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • BHCS Heritage and Cultural Studies (BSc/ Degree/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Biodiversity Conservation (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Biological Sciences (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Botany (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Climatology (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Cultural and Natural Resource Management (BSc/ Degree/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Development Studies (MTech/ BTech/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Ecology (BSc/ Degree/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Environmental Conservation (BSc/ Degree/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Environmental Management (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Environmental Planning (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Environmental Science (MTech/ BTech/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Genetics (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Geography (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Microbiology (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Molecular Biology (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Natural Sciences (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Nature Conservation (BSc/ Degree/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Plant Pathology (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Resource Economics (Business Management & Administration/ Ecology/ CBNRM) (BTech/ National Diploma/ Bcom/ Honours/ Masters/ MBA)
  • Social Sciences (community) (Diploma/ BA social sciences/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Soil Sciences (MTech/ BTech/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Town and Regional Planning (MTech/ BTech/ National Diploma/ Bachelor’s degree/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Zoology (BSc/ Degree/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Zoology Conservation Management (MTech/ BTech/ BSc/ Postgraduate/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)

Oceans and Coast (Ref: OC/01/2026)

  • Coastal Management (Bachelor’s degree)
  • Environmental Economics (BSc)
  • Environmental Management (BSc)
  • Environmental Science (BSc)
  • Marine Remote Sensing (BSc/ BSc Hons/ MSc/ PhD)
  • Marine Science (B Tech/ National Diploma/ BSc Hons/ M Sc/ PhD)
  • Oceanography (BTech/ MTech)
  • Social Development Studies (Bachelor’s degree)
  • Taxonomy (Zooplankton/ Phytoplankton) (PhD)
  • Town and Regional Planning (Bachelor’s degree)
  • Zoology (BSc)

Climate Change, Air Quality Management and Sustainability Development (Ref: CCAQ/01/2026)

  • Chemistry (BSc)
  • Conservation (Bachelor’s Degree/ National Diploma)
  • Earth Science (Bachelor’s Degree/ National Diploma)
  • Environmental Management (BSc/ National Diploma)
  • Environmental Science (BSc/ National Diploma)
  • Hydrology (Bachelor’s Degree/ National Diploma)
  • Natural Science (Bachelor’s Degree/ National Diploma)

Chemicals and Waste Management (Ref: CWM/01/2026)

  • Applied Chemistry (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Biochemistry (MSc Natural Sciences/ Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Biology (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Botany (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Chemical Engineering (Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Chemistry (Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Ecology (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Endocrinology (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Entomology (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Environmental Economics (Bachelor’s Degree/ National Diploma/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Environmental Health (Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Environmental Management (Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Environmental Science (Bachelor’s Degree/ National Diploma/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Geography (Bachelor’s Degree/ M Sc/ MA/ Hons)
  • Microbiology (MSc Natural Sciences/ Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Physiology (MSc Natural Sciences)
  • Waste Management (Bachelor’s Degree/ MTech/ MSc/ Hons)
  • Zoology (MSc Natural Sciences)

Chief Operating Officer (Ref: COO/01/2026)

  • Climate change and Sustainability Management (Degree/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Environmental Engineering (Degree/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Environmental Health (Degree/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Environmental Management (BSc/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Environmental Monitoring, Compliance, Enforcement and Control (Bachelor’s degree/ Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Environmental Research and Development (Honours/ Masters/ PhD)
  • Environmental Science (BSc/ National Diploma/ Honours/ Masters)
  • Governance (Postgraduate)
  • Internal Audit (Degree/ National Diploma)
  • Information Management (Degree)
  • Information Systems (Degree)
  • Public Administration (Postgraduate)
  • Public Management (Postgraduate)
  • Risk Management (Degree)

Legal Authorisations and Enforcement (Ref: LACE/01/2026)

  • Chemistry (BSc)
  • Bachelor of Environmental Management (majoring in Animal and Wildlife Management/ Environmental Impact Assessment)
  • Botany (BSc)
  • Geography (BSc)
  • Law (B.A)
  • LLM
  • LLB (majoring in administrative law/ legislative drafting)
  • Paralegal (Diploma/ Degree)

MORE ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE & CONTRACT

Bursaries will be awarded to the maximum value of R40 000 per annum.

Successful bursary recipients will be required to sign a bursary contract with the DEA.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted – should you not receive any feedback by 31 January 2026, please regard your application as unsuccessful.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • South African citizen
  • Completed Matric
  • Studying full-time within one of the aforementioned fields of study
  • Studying at a recognised South African tertiary institution
  • NOT an employee of The Department of Environmental Affairs
  • Not currently employed
  • *Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged students and those with disabilities

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BURSARY

Download and complete the Department of Environmental Affairs Bursary Application Form (.pdf)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):

  • ID document (certified copy)
  • Recent academic record/ transcript (certified copy)
  • All academic certificates/ qualifications (certified copies)
  • Proof of tertiary acceptance (first year students)
  • Proof of tertiary registration (if currently at tertiary level)
  • Research proposal (Honours and Masters students)
  • Motivational letter (explaining why you deserve to be awarded the bursary)
  • Parents/ guardians ID documents (certified copies)
  • Parents/ guardians proof of income (certified payslips/ affidavit if unemployed/ death certificate if deceased)

Applications must be submitted in one of the following ways:
1) Post:
The Director General
Department of Environmental Affairs
Private Bag X 447
Pretoria
0001
(Attn: Learning and Development – Bursary Section)

2) Hand delivery:
Cape Town
Department of Environmental Affairs
63 Strand Street
Nedbank Building
Cape Town
(Attn: Learning and Development – Bursary Section)

Pretoria
Environment House
473 Steve Biko Street
Cnr Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road
Arcadia
Pretoria
(Attn: Learning and Development – Bursary Section)

*PS: please state the qualification and reference number you are applying for on the application form

CLOSING DATE

November Annually.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Department of Environmental Affairs directly:
Cape Town
Contact People: Sarah Mathunyane / Nozuko Grootboom
Tel: 021 814 8084 / 021 814 8088

Pretoria
Contact People: Busisiwe Stemele / Nita Makgohlo / Mokhobo Putu
Tel: 012 399 8685 / 012 399 8684 / 012 399 9018

Need Information or Confused about Something ?

Ask a Question

 

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
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  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
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  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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