If you were funded by W&RSETA in 2025 and you still need support for 2026, this is important right now. The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority has opened its 2026 Continuing Bursary Funding Window for unemployed students who are already in the system. If you miss the deadline, your studies could be interrupted.
What this opportunity is
The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) has opened its 2026 continuing bursary scheme for students who already received funding during the 2025 academic year.
This is not for new applicants. It is for students who need funding to move into the next level of study in 2026. The goal is simple: help you continue your studies without money problems forcing you to stop.
For many South African students, this kind of support makes a real difference. Many applicants struggle with fees, transport, books, and the pressure of staying registered. This bursary is meant to ease that burden for qualifying students at TVET colleges and Higher Education Institutions.
Who can apply
This bursary is only for continuing bursars. You can qualify if you meet the official requirements below.
- You must have been funded by W&RSETA during the 2025 academic year.
- You must be continuing to the next level of your qualification in 2026.
- You must still be enrolled, or planning to enrol, for the 2026 academic year.
- You must not have already applied for continued funding.
The scheme also includes students who started studying in the second semester of 2025 and will continue into the second semester of 2026.
For second-semester students, funding will only be confirmed after academic results are submitted.
There is one very important rule: individual students cannot apply directly.
Applications must be submitted by the institution or bursary administrator on your behalf. This includes:
- TVET colleges
- Universities
- Bursary administrators
- Institutions that already had MOAs with W&RSETA in 2025
If you are a student, you should contact your financial aid office, student support office, bursary administrator, or faculty administration as soon as possible.
Quick overview
| Opportunity | W&RSETA 2026 Continuing Bursary Scheme |
| Organisation | Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA) |
| Funding Type | Continuing Student Bursary |
| Who Can Apply | Institutions on behalf of continuing bursars |
| Eligible Students | Students funded by W&RSETA in 2025 |
| Study Institutions | TVET Colleges and Higher Education Institutions |
| Application Method | Online via W&RSETA Stakeholder Portal |
| Closing Date | 30 May 2026 |
| Funding Year | 2026 Academic Year |
| Application Website | www.wrseta.org.za |
What you gain
This bursary is meant to help you keep studying. While the notice does not give a full cost breakdown, SETA bursaries usually help with important study expenses such as:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Learning materials
- Academic support costs
The exact amount can differ depending on your qualification, your institution, the existing MOA agreement, and the approved funding rates.
W&RSETA says the 2026 funding rates will follow the original contract arrangements from the previous agreement.
How to apply
The application process is handled by the institution through the W&RSETA Stakeholder Portal. You do not submit the application yourself.
Institution logs into the Stakeholder Portal
Use the official portal here: Institutions must log into the stakeholder portal here
Select the correct funding window
The correct option is: “2026 Unemployed Continuing Bursary Project”.
Upload the required documents
Institutions must upload supporting documents, including:
- Previous MOA with W&RSETA
- Student lists funded under the 2025 MOA
- Academic results
- Continuing status of each student
- Reconciliation of funds disbursed during 2025
Submit before the deadline
The closing date is 30 May 2026. Late applications may not be considered.
What happens after approval
If the institution is approved, it will later need to submit more supporting documents for each student. These include:
- 2025 Statements of Fees
- 2025 Statements of Results
These documents are needed after the Award Letter is accepted so that funding allocations can be confirmed.
W&RSETA says Award Letters will be generated through the MIS system by no later than 30 June 2026.
After that, institutions must register bursars on the MIS. W&RSETA will then approve the registrations, and contracts will be finalised.
Funding will only be paid once all of the following are in place:
- Contracts are concluded
- A compliant Grant Claim form is submitted
- A valid invoice is received
Tips to improve your chances
Many students lose funding opportunities because they wait too long or do not follow up with their institutions. You can improve your chances by acting early and staying organised.
- Contact your institution’s financial aid office now.
- Confirm that your academic results are updated.
- Make sure your registration status is active.
- Ask whether your institution has started processing the continuation application.
- Prepare your documents if the institution asks for them.
Do not assume your funding will continue automatically. In many cases, the institution still has to submit fresh documents and complete formal steps for each student.
Also, do not rely on social media rumours. Always check with your institution or the official W&RSETA website.
Provincial contact details
If your institution needs help with MIS access or submission questions, W&RSETA has provincial contacts available.
- Eastern Cape: Mzamo Matyobeni – 043 726 3281
- Western Cape: Ashley Goliath – 021 561 6500
- KwaZulu-Natal: Angel Gambushe – 031 277 0500
- Gauteng North: Lekgethile Mothoa – 012 430 4930
- Gauteng South & North West: Jephrey Nene – 011 656 0085
- Limpopo & Mpumalanga: Sipho Khosa – 015 291 2237
- Free State & Northern Cape: Senzenina Moroe – 051 444 0766
Encouraging next steps
If you were funded in 2025 and you are continuing in 2026, do not wait until the last week. Bursary continuation can be slow, and there is always pressure on institutions to finish the process on time.
Speak to your institution now. Keep copies of your results and fee statements. Follow up until you get a clear answer.
If your application is processed correctly and all documents are in order, you may be considered for continued support. But like every bursary, this is competitive and subject to official approval.
Frequently asked questions
- Can new students apply for this bursary?
No. This window is only for students who were funded by W&RSETA in 2025 and are continuing in 2026. - Can students apply on their own?
No. Applications must be submitted by institutions or approved bursary administrators. - What is the closing date?
The deadline is 30 May 2026. - What happens after approval?
Approved institutions receive Award Letters and must complete bursar registration through the MIS system. - Do second-semester students qualify?
Yes, but funding depends on the submission of academic results. - Where do institutions apply?
Applications are submitted online through the W&RSETA Stakeholder Portal on the official website.
Disclaimer
This article is for information only. Funding decisions, eligibility checks, and bursary approvals remain subject to official W&RSETA processes and institutional rules. Always confirm details through official W&RSETA communication channels.
