DEC Trust Bursary for Students with Disabilities

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Applicants must be persons with disabilities and provide proof of disability or medical verification documentation.
2. Applicants must not be in receipt of any other bursary, scholarship, or financial assistance from any public or private funding source for the same period of study.
3. There is no age restriction.
4. Applicants must have applied to and been accepted by a registered public university in South Africa.
5. Applicants must be studying an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification within DEC Trust's approved Scarce and Critical Skills Fields of Study below.
6. Must be a South African citizen.

Grade 12 applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Must have a valid South African ID.
2. Must upload latest Grade 11 results.
3. Must upload current Grade 12 results.
4. Must achieve a minimum overall average of 65%.

Current university students must meet the following requirements:
1. Must have a valid South African ID.
2. Must have achieved and maintained a minimum overall academic average of 65% in their most recent year of study.
3. Must submit a complete academic record, including their latest 2026 academic results.

The DEC Trust Bursary funds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in scarce and critical skills fields that contribute to South Africa's economic growth, innovation, public service delivery and workforce development.

Funding will be considered for qualifications in the following fields of study:

1. Information Technology, Computer Science and Digital Technologies
   • Information Technology
   • Computer Science
   • Software Development
   • Cybersecurity
   • Artificial Intelligence
   • Data Science and Analytics
   • Information Systems
   • Computer Engineering

2. Engineering
   • Civil Engineering
   • Electrical Engineering
   • Mechanical Engineering
   • Mining Engineering
   • Chemical Engineering
   • Engineering Technology

3. Health Sciences
   • Medicine
   • Nursing
   • Pharmacy
   • Medical Sciences
   • Allied Health Professions
   • Rehabilitation Sciences

4. Finance, Accounting and Financial Technologies
   • Accounting
   • Finance
   • Actuarial Science
   • Financial Technology (FinTech)
   • Renewable Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences
   • Renewable Energy
   • Environmental Science
   • Environmental Management
   • Sustainability-related qualifications

5. Education
   • Teaching qualifications specialising in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

6. Technical and Vocational Qualifications
   • Artisan qualifications
   • Electrical Trades
   • Mechanical Trades
   • Welding
   • Plumbing
   • Other recognised technical and vocational qualifications leading to occupations in high demand.

7. Marketing and Business
   • Marketing
   • Sales Management
   • Business Management

DEC Trust may also consider qualifications that lead to occupations identified in the latest National List of Occupations in High Demand published by the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Critical Skills List published by the Department of Home Affairs, provided that such qualifications align with the objectives of the bursary programme.

The list of approved fields of study may be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure continued alignment with South Africa's national scarce and critical skills priorities.

The DEC Trust Bursary may provide funding, subject to approved limits, for:

1. Tuition fees
2. Residence or approved private accommodation
3. Prescribed textbooks and stationery
4. Living allowance
5. Laptop
6. Assistive devices, assistive technology, and disability-related support services required for successful participation in academic studies, when these devices are not provided through the institution’s disability unit.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Disability status and support requirements.
2. Admission to a registered university.
3. Academic performance.
4. Registration for an approved scarce and critical skills qualification.
5. Demonstrated commitment to successfully completing the qualification and contributing to addressing South Africa's scarce and critical skills needs.
6. Availability of bursary funding.

• Applications must be completed on Study Trust's online application platform to be considered for funding.

  Applicants must submit the following supporting documentation:

  1. Certified copy of a South African Identity Document.
  2. Proof of disability from a medical practitioner
  3. Proof of admission to a registered public university.
  4. Academic transcripts or latest academic results.
  5. Any additional supporting documentation requested during the assessment process.

• Application Season: 01 June to 30 September.
• Please carefully read the instructions on our Bursary Applications page before beginning your application.