Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027: Applications Open for South African Students in STEAM Fields
Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 applications are now open, giving academically strong South African students an opportunity to apply for financial support towards undergraduate studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Accounting, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). Here are the requirements, supported fields, documents and application guidance students need before applying.
For many South African families, university costs remain one of the biggest barriers to higher education.
Tuition is only one part of the expense. Students may also need to cover accommodation, meals, transport, textbooks, technology and other study-related costs.
The Motsepe Foundation has opened applications for its 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary, according to a recent update published through the Foundation’s official social-media channel. The Foundation is encouraging eligible students to apply and has warned applicants to be alert to scams.
The bursary forms part of the Foundation’s broader Higher Education work, which aims to support pathways into tertiary education and develop future professionals.
Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bursary provider | Motsepe Foundation |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Target applicants | Academically deserving South African students |
| Main study focus | STEAM |
| Financial need | Considered |
| Study location | South Africa |
| Application | Online |
| Application fee | Beware of anyone requesting payment |
| Closing date | Check the live official application portal |
| Selection | Subject to eligibility and available funding |
The Foundation’s current 2027 announcement specifically describes the opportunity as a STEAM Undergraduate Bursary.
What Is the Motsepe Foundation?
The Motsepe Foundation is a South African philanthropic organisation founded by Patrice Motsepe and Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
The Foundation’s work covers several areas, including:
- Higher Education
- Employment and Entrepreneurship
- Community Development
- Gender Equality, Wellness and Leadership
- Sports and Music
- Social Cohesion
Its official website says its work is aimed at creating pathways towards peace and prosperity and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Useful Links:
Higher Education is therefore one part of a broader programme of social-development initiatives.
What Does STEAM Mean?
The term STEAM stands for:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Arts
- Mathematics
The 2027 Motsepe Foundation announcement specifically encourages students interested in these areas to apply.
For students choosing a university qualification, this means it is important to establish whether the exact degree or field appears within the Foundation’s current eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Who Can Apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary?
Published bursary information indicates that the programme is aimed at academically deserving South African students who demonstrate financial need.
Commonly published requirements include:
- South African citizenship
- Strong academic performance
- Financial need
- Matric or equivalent qualification
- Intention to study towards an eligible undergraduate qualification
- Admission to, or application for admission to, an eligible South African tertiary institution
Third-party bursary databases currently list a minimum 70% Matric average excluding Life Orientation as an academic requirement. Because eligibility conditions can change between application cycles, applicants should verify the current requirement against the Foundation’s live application information before relying on it.
Important: Meeting the minimum does not guarantee funding
A student who meets the published minimum requirements should not assume that a bursary will automatically be awarded.
Bursary programmes can receive substantially more applications than the number of available awards.
Selection may therefore consider academic performance, financial circumstances, programme requirements and available funding.
Which Fields of Study Are Supported?
The current 2027 announcement uses the STEAM description:
Science
This can include university programmes in areas such as natural and applied sciences, subject to the Foundation’s current approved fields.
Technology
Technology-related qualifications can include areas such as information technology and computer science, depending on the current bursary rules.
Engineering
Engineering is a major area of study within the STEAM focus.
Students should check the specific qualification requirements rather than assuming every engineering specialisation is automatically eligible.
Accounting
The current announcement specifically includes Accounting within the STEAM description.
This is particularly relevant to students planning careers in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, accounting and related professions.
Arts
The current announcement also includes Arts.
Applicants should verify which specific Arts qualifications are supported in the 2027 application.
Mathematics
Mathematics-related study falls directly within the stated STEAM focus.
Students should check the application documentation for the exact qualification list before applying.
What Can the Bursary Cover?
The exact 2027 funding package should be confirmed from the official Motsepe Foundation documentation.
Published information about the Foundation’s bursary has previously described support for costs associated with university study.
Depending on the applicable bursary package, students may receive assistance with expenses such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Study materials
- Meals
- Other approved educational expenses
However, applicants should not assume that every successful student receives exactly the same benefits.
Funding arrangements can depend on the programme, institution, qualification and available donor funding.
Why Financial Need Matters
Academic results are important, but bursary providers also need to understand a student’s financial circumstances.
A household can face significant education costs even when there is some income coming into the family.
For example, parents or guardians may be responsible for:
- Multiple children
- Rent or bond payments
- Food
- Electricity
- Transport
- Medical expenses
- School fees
- Existing debt
Applicants should therefore provide honest and complete financial information.
Never manipulate household income figures simply to appear more financially disadvantaged.
Documents Applicants Should Prepare
Students should prepare their supporting documents before starting the application.
Depending on the requirements shown on the current application form, applicants may be asked for documents such as:
- Certified South African ID
- Matric certificate or latest Matric results
- Academic records
- Proof of household income
- University acceptance or admission documentation
- Other supporting information requested by the Foundation
Third-party bursary listings currently identify certified ID documents, Matric results, household-income information and application documentation among the commonly required materials.
Always follow the document list displayed on the official 2027 application form.
How to Apply for the Motsepe Foundation Bursary 2027
Applicants should use the Foundation’s official channels rather than links forwarded through unknown WhatsApp groups or Facebook accounts.
Step 1: Visit the official Motsepe Foundation website
Start at the Foundation’s official website.
Step 2: Locate the Higher Education or bursary information
Look for the current 2027 STEAM Undergraduate Bursary announcement and application information.
Step 3: Check the eligibility requirements
Confirm:
- Citizenship requirements
- Academic requirements
- Supported fields
- University requirements
- Financial-need criteria
- Document requirements
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Make sure your documents are clear and readable.
If certification is required, use properly certified copies.
Step 5: Complete the online application
Enter your information carefully.
Your name, ID number, academic information and contact details should match your supporting documents.
Step 6: Submit before the official deadline
Do not rely on a closing date displayed on an old Facebook poster or third-party website.
Use the current official application information as the final reference.
Step 7: Keep your records
Save your application confirmation, reference number and copies of all submitted documents.
Also monitor the email address and cellphone number used in your application.
Be Careful of Fake Motsepe Foundation Bursaries
This is particularly important for the 2027 application cycle.
The Motsepe Foundation has publicly warned students about fake bursary information and has specifically stated that applicants should not pay anyone claiming to guarantee or facilitate a bursary application.
Red flags include:
Someone asks for an application fee
Be suspicious of anyone requesting money simply to submit your bursary application.
Someone promises guaranteed selection
No individual should be able to guarantee that the Foundation will award you funding.
An unofficial WhatsApp number claims to be the Foundation
Verify the information through the official website.
A poster contains a suspicious application link
Do not enter your ID number, banking information or other sensitive information into an unknown website.
Someone asks you to pay for “shortlisting”
Treat this as a major warning sign.
The Foundation itself has highlighted the scam risk around bursary applications.
What Students Should Know About the Closing Date
Closing-date information can change, and different third-party bursary websites currently display different dates.
For example, some external bursary databases publish dates for the 2027 programme, while the Foundation’s current public social-media announcement confirms that applications are open but does not provide the deadline in the announcement itself.
For that reason, the official application page should be treated as the final authority on the closing date.
Do not wait until the last day to apply.
Motsepe Foundation vs NSFAS
Students should also understand that the Motsepe Foundation bursary and NSFAS are separate funding programmes.
NSFAS is a government-funded student financial aid scheme, while the Motsepe Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation.
The 2027 NSFAS application cycle opened on 18 September 2026, according to the South African government.
The current NSFAS website states that its 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026.
Students who may qualify for NSFAS should therefore investigate that route separately rather than assuming that applying for one bursary eliminates the
