The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) provides financial assistance to unemployed South African youth (aged 18–35) pursuing qualifications in safety, security, and high-demand STEM fields.
Key Dates
- Opening Date: 14 December 2025
- Feedback Period: Successful candidates are typically contacted within 90 days of the closing date.
Priority Fields of Study
While SASSETA considers various “Occupations in High Demand,” first priority is given to:
- LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
- Veterinary Science
- STEM Qualifications (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Criminology and Psychology (Honours/Masters levels often supported)
- Security Management and related investigative studies.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizenship: Must be a South African citizen.
- Age: Between 18 and 35 years old.
- Employment Status: Must be currently unemployed.
- Academic: Must have completed Matric and be registered or accepted at a Public Tertiary Institution (University or TVET College) for 2026.
- Household Income: Preference is given to:
- Poor Households: Income ≤ R350,000 per annum.
- Missing Middle: Income between R350,001 and R600,000 per annum.
Funding Coverage
- Full-Time University Students: Up to R80,000 (Tuition, registration, books, accommodation, and meals). Includes a laptop/tablet allowance up to R10,000.
- Distance Learning Students: Up to R35,000 (Registration, tuition, and books).
- TVET College Students: Up to R50,000 (Tuition, books, accommodation, and meals).
Required Documents (Certified copies not older than 6 months)
- Certified ID Copy of the applicant.
- Certified copy of Matric certificate or latest academic results.
- Proof of 2026 Registration or Acceptance Letter on the institution’s letterhead.
- Certified ID copies of Parents/Guardians.
- Proof of Income: A valid affidavit confirming total household income, employment status of all adults in the house, and specifying all sources of income.
How to Apply (Submission Protocol)
SASSETA strictly accepts applications via email. Hand-delivered or posted applications are generally not considered.
- Download: Obtain the official application form from www.sasseta.org.za (under the Discretionary Grants section).
- Compile: Combine the form and all supporting documents into one PDF file or a single email.
- Size Limit: Total attachment size must not exceed 20MB.
- Subject Line: Use exactly:
SASSETA Bursary 2026. - Send to:
Bursaries2026@sasseta.org.zaorBursaries@sasseta.org.za.
Common Disqualification Traps
- Submitting after the deadline.
- Missing any of the compulsory documents.
- Using password-protected files or external download links (like Google Drive/Dropbox).
- Submitting more than one application (duplicate emails).
- Modified or tampered application forms.
Contact Information
For queries, contact SASSETA directly:
- Email: DG@sasseta.org.za
- Website: www.sasseta.org.za
