A New Chance for COID Beneficiaries and Their Families – 2026 External Bursary Programme
If you’re a student, a young adult, or someone who cares about people who have lost a job because of a workplace injury, you might want to know about a special bursary that the Department of Employment and Labour has put out this year. The 2026 External Bursary Programme is a scholarship created by the Compensation Fund to give full tuition, books, room and board, and a monthly allowance to people who are dealing with a permanent disability or who are dependants of a worker who died on the job. This is a chance to keep learning, to build a future, and to avoid having to stay stuck in a tough situation.
Who can apply?
The bursary is aimed at three groups:
- COID beneficiaries with permanent disability who are still in the working‑age range.
- Dependants of those COID beneficiaries.
- Dependants of employees who were killed in work accidents, and who are between 17 and 35 years old.
You also need to be accepted by a recognised school – this could be a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college, a Community Education and Training (CET) college, or a Higher Education Institution (HEI).
What does the bursary include?
If you’re successful, the bursary will cover everything you need for a full‑time study programme:
- Tuition fees – no out‑of‑pocket cost for the courses you’re taking.
- Study materials – textbooks and any other items the school says are required.
- Accommodation – a place to stay if you move for school.
- Monthly stipend – extra money every month to help with living expenses.
The support is renewed every year for however long you are enrolled in the programme, as long as you keep good grades and the money is available.
What are the other conditions?
- You have to finish your course or start earning a living in some way – either by going back to work or by starting a small business.
- If you’re having trouble with education because of your disability, you can also apply for vocational training programmes that the Compensation Fund runs.
What do you need to send in?
When you apply, you will need to gather a set of documents:
- A completed bursary application form.
- Your COID Pension or Claim number.
- A copy of your ID card that has been certified.
- Proof that a public TVET, CET, or HEI has accepted you.
- For dependants, a copy of your parent’s or guardian’s ID card, or a death certificate if it’s a deceased worker’s child.
- If you have a physical disability, a verification from a health professional or the Disability Support Office.
- If you’re a student, you should be registered for full‑time study unless you’re a person with a disability and have an exception.
How to apply
Get the application form – download it from the Department of Labour’s website or pick one up at your nearest Provincial Labour Centre.
Fill out the form and attach all the required documents.
Send your package – you can do it in a few ways:
- By post or courier to:
Sub‑Sub‑Directorate: Vocational Rehabilitation, Compensation Fund, Private Bag X955, Pretoria, 0001. - By hand delivery (until December 2025) at 167 Thabo Sehume Street, Delta Heights Building, Pretoria.
- By hand delivery (from January 2026) at Compensation House, Cnr Hamilton & Soutpansberg Rd, Prinshof, Pretoria.
- By email to CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za.
If you want to see the official document that explains everything, click here for the 2026 bursary advert.
- By post or courier to:
How to get help from Edupstairs
Edupstairs isn’t just a job board – we help you win this scholarship. If you have any questions, you can call us at:
- (012) 319 9264 / (012) 319 5774 / (012) 319 9124
- Toll‑free at 0800 321 322 or 0860 10 5350
- Text 44967
They can guide you through the paperwork and make sure you don’t miss any deadline.
Why it matters
The 2026 External Bursary Programme is more than just money. It’s a way to keep people who are already dealing with big life challenges moving forward. It gives them the chance to finish their studies, to learn new skills, and to eventually find a job or start a business. For young adults who lost a parent or a sibling in a workplace accident, it ensures that they’re not left behind.
Don’t forget – the closing date for the bursary is 31 March 2026. If you qualify, you should act fast to fill out the application and gather all the documents.
Quick facts about the bursary
- Who runs it? Department of Employment and Labour
- Where does the information come from? Official SETA or government site
- How to apply? Email (CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za) – or by post, courier, or hand delivery.
- Reference code: DEL_BURSARY2026
Safety reminder: Edupstairs only does a basic risk check. Always double‑check the official website before giving out any personal details or making payments.
Apply now for the 2026 External Bursary Programme and take a step toward a brighter future.
