LGSETA Bursary Application for 2026/2027
Detailed guide on LGSETA Bursary Application for 2026/2027. Are you a South African student interested in making a difference in your local community through public service, governance, or municipal development? The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) Bursary Programme is your opportunity to gain financial support while pursuing a qualification that aligns with local government priorities. The LGSETA Bursary 2026/2027 is designed to support students in critical and scarce skill areas that are essential for improving service delivery and driving development within South Africa’s municipalities.
Each year, LGSETA offers bursaries to qualifying students who are studying or planning to study in fields such as Public Administration, Town and Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Financial Management, Local Economic Development, Community Development, and Disaster Management. The bursary typically covers tuition fees, prescribed books, accommodation, meals, and other essential academic costs at accredited South African institutions.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the LGSETA Bursary Application for 2026/2027 – including eligibility requirements, approved fields of study, application process, required documentation, and the closing date. Whether you’re a Grade 12 learner or a current university student, this bursary can help you kickstart a successful career in local government and public sector management.
In addition, satrends.co.za offers a wide range of other bursary categories to suit your preference. Click on the links below to access other kinds of bursaries.
Universities in South Africa Bursaries Available for 2026
Government Departments Bursaries Available for 2026
Field of Studies Specified Bursaries Available for 2026
Keep reading to find answers to questions like “LGSETA bursary application form 2026,” “who qualifies for LGSETA funding,” and “how to apply for local government bursaries in South Africa.”
About LGSETA
The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) plays a vital role in building skills and creating development opportunities within the local government sector in South Africa. Their programmes support current employees, those involved in local government structures, and unemployed individuals seeking to grow their careers.
LGSETA is one of 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
About the LGSETA Bursary Programme 2026 Applications Now Open
LGSETA is inviting unemployed youth and students to apply for the Discretionary Grants Bursary (1st Funding Window) for the 2026.2027 academic year.
A total of 650 bursaries are available!
These bursaries are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing studies in fields aligned with local government priorities.
Fields of Study Include:
- Accounting
- Administration
- Administrative Information Management
- Administrative Management
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Networking
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems Engineering
- Construction
- Construction Management
- Construction Project Management
- Disaster Management
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental and Water Management
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Planning and Development
- Finance
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management
- Financial Management
- Financial Planning
- Governance and Political Transformation
- Government Management
- Human Resource Management
- Information Management
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Internal Auditing
- Local Economic Development
- Local Government Finance
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management Accounting
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Public Accountability
- Public Administration
- Public Administration for Community Service
- Public Affairs
- Public Finance
- Public Management
- Public Management and Governance
- Public Procurement Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Town and Regional Planning
- Transport and Logistics
- Transport Management Freight
- Transportation Engineering
- Transportation Management
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Urban Studies
- Water Management
- Water Treatment
View the complete list of approved qualifications on the LGSETA website.
What the Bursary Covers and How It Works
The bursary provides financial support for one academic year at a time.
Reapplication is required for each new academic year.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted — expect feedback within 3 months of the application closing date.
Awarding of the bursary is subject to available funding and compliance with LGSETA’s eligibility criteria, policies, and procedures.
Eligibility Criteria for LGSETA Bursary Application in 2026/2027
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a South African citizen or permanent resident
- Be unemployed
- Currently in Matric (Grade 12) or have completed Matric
- Studying or planning to study full-time in one of the listed fields
- Your course must be NQF/N Level-accredited
- Registered or provisionally accepted at a public tertiary institution in South Africa (University, University of Technology, or TVET College – NATED programmes)
- Have a strong academic record (must have passed previous year)
- Not currently receiving funding from any other bursary provider
How to Apply for LGSETA Bursary in 2026/2027
Online Application:
Apply here: LGSETA Bursary Application 2026. Click here to access the bursary application portal.
Required Supporting Documents for LGSETA Bursary Application in 2026/2027
Please upload certified copies (not older than 6 months) of the following:
- Completed Learner Registration Form for Unemployed Individuals (.pdf)
- ID Document
- Matric results (if currently in Matric) or Matric certificate (if completed)
- Most recent academic record (if currently studying)
- Last year’s tertiary results (if continuing)
- Proof of registration or acceptance (on institutional letterhead)
- Affidavit as proof of unemployment
- Parents’ or guardians’ proof of income
- Payslips, pension/grant slips, or sworn affidavit if unemployed
Incomplete or uncertified documentation will result in disqualification.
Closing Date for LGSETA Bursary Application 2026/2027
30 November at 23:59
Late submissions will not be accepted, so be sure to apply on time.
Contact Details of LGSETA Bursary
Email: bursaryapp@lgseta.org.za
