If the thought of paying for your studies keeps you awake at night, the ETDP SETA bursary could be the opportunity that changes everything. For 2025, this program isn’t just offering financial relief — it’s reshaping how South African students access funding, with bigger benefits and a new application approach designed to reach more people. Whether you’re starting your first qualification or working towards an advanced degree, knowing exactly how to apply — and how to stand out — can be the difference between securing your place and missing out.
What Makes the ETDP SETA Bursary So Valuable?
The Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) bursary exists to help unemployed South Africans build qualifications in education, training, and development. With funding of up to R120,000 per student each year, it can cover registration fees, tuition, and certain approved study-related costs — giving recipients the freedom to focus on their studies without constant financial stress.
For 2025, there’s a major shift: applications are no longer sent directly to ETDP SETA. Instead, they’re handled through specific partnered universities and private colleges, making the process more localized and, for many, easier to navigate.
Where You Can Apply – Partnered Institutions for 2025
ETDP SETA has teamed up with an extensive list of public universities and private higher education providers across South Africa.
Public Universities
- Eastern Cape: Rhodes University, University of Fort Hare, Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University
- Free State: University of the Free State, Central University of Technology
- Gauteng: University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Pretoria, University of South Africa, Vaal University of Technology
- KwaZulu-Natal: University of Zululand, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban University of Technology
- Limpopo: University of Venda, University of Limpopo
- Mpumalanga: University of Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape: Sol Plaatje University
- North West: North-West University
- Western Cape: University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Western Cape
Private Institutions
Centre for Creative Education, Institute for Independent Education, Vega College, Varsity College, Rosebank College, IIE MSA, Inscape Education Group, Boston College, Stadio, Eduvos, Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology, Mancosa, Da Vinci Business School
Who Qualifies for the 2025 ETDP SETA Bursary?
To be considered, you must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be unemployed and not earning any income
- Not be receiving any other bursary or financial aid
- Be enrolled (or planning to enroll) in an NQF Level 4 or higher qualification at a partnered institution
- Submit all required documentation before registration deadlines
Funding Breakdown – What the Bursary Covers
If approved, you could receive up to R120,000 per year to cover:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Other institution-approved study expenses
💡 Important: Any unspent funds go back to ETDP SETA — they are not paid directly to students.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Select Your Institution – Choose from the official ETDP SETA partner list.
- Contact the Financial Aid Office – Each institution has its own application method.
- Prepare Your Documents – Typically includes a certified ID copy, academic transcripts, and proof of unemployment.
- Submit Your Application – Follow the exact process your institution outlines.
- Wait for Feedback – The institution will communicate the result directly.
What to Keep in Mind
- Partner institutions decide who gets funded — ETDP SETA will not override their decisions.
- Applications that are incomplete or late are unlikely to be considered.
- Communication about your status will come from the institution, not ETDP SETA.
Why This Matters for Your Future
Education is more than a qualification — it’s your ticket to better opportunities, higher earning potential, and the ability to shape the communities around you. The ETDP SETA bursary removes one of the biggest barriers to achieving that: cost. By understanding exactly how this system works for 2025, you give yourself the best possible chance of securing funding and moving forward with confidence.
