The Tomorrow Trust has opened applications for its Tertiary Bursary STEM Programme 2027, offering full funding plus personal support to South African students from under-resourced communities. The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, living costs, textbooks and equipment for students in Engineering, IT and Computer Science, and Science fields at public universities.
Young people aged 18 to 35 in Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal can apply before the closing date of 30 September 2026.
About the Programme
Tomorrow Trust is a South African non-profit organisation that has spent more than 20 years breaking the cycle of inequality through education. It supports children and young people from under-resourced communities from Grade R all the way through tertiary education and into the world of work.
What makes this bursary different from most funding schemes is its holistic approach. Tomorrow Trust does not treat education as academics alone. Its work rests on four integrated pillars: academic support, psychosocial support, digital skills development and career guidance. Bursary recipients are not simply handed money and left to cope. They receive year-round mentorship, counselling, coaching and masterclasses designed to make sure they finish their degrees and step confidently into employment, entrepreneurship or further study. Graduates join a lifelong alumni community of changemakers.
What Is Covered
- Full tuition fees at a South African public university
- Accommodation and living costs
- Prescribed textbooks and essential academic equipment
- Psychosocial support and counselling throughout your studies
- One-on-one mentorship and academic coaching
- Career coaching including CV writing, interview preparation and job search support
- Monthly masterclasses led by industry specialists
- Digital skills training and financial literacy support
- Networking opportunities, vacation work exposure and a strong peer and alumni network
Who Can Apply
- South African citizens aged 18 to 35
- Students planning to study, or already studying, at a South African public university in 2027
- Students from under-resourced communities who need financial support
- Applicants in these fields of study: Engineering, IT and Computer Science, or Science
- Applicants from Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo or KwaZulu-Natal
- Undergraduate students, and postgraduate students where applicable
Required Documents
- South African ID document
- Academic record or transcript
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public university
- Proof of household income, including the last 3 salary or wage payslips where applicable
- Affidavit of unemployment for unemployed parents or guardians
- Death certificate for a deceased parent, where applicable
- Motivation letter
- Reference letters
- CV
How to Apply
- Gather all the required documents listed above and make sure they are clear and legible.
- Create a free account on the Bursio platform, which Tomorrow Trust uses to manage applications.
- Complete your online profile and upload your supporting documents.
- Write an honest motivation letter that explains your circumstances and your passion for your chosen STEM field.
- Review your application carefully and submit it before the deadline.
Start your application here: Apply at Tomorrow Trust (via Bursio)
Closing Date
The closing date for the Tomorrow Trust Bursary Programme 2027 is 30 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
Thousands of academically capable South African students never reach university, or drop out once they get there, purely because of money. Even students with NSFAS funding often struggle with hidden costs like textbooks, equipment and food. The Tomorrow Trust bursary removes those barriers completely, and then goes further by supporting the whole person, not just the fees.
STEM graduates remain among the most employable in South Africa, with engineering, IT and science skills in constant demand across the economy. For a young person from an under-resourced community, this bursary is more than funding. It is a structured pathway from matric to a professional career, with support at every step.
Related: Schauenburg Education Trust Bursary 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can current university students apply, or only matriculants?
Both. First-time entrants and students already at a public university can apply, as long as they meet the age and field-of-study criteria.
Q: Which provinces are eligible?
The programme currently accepts applicants from Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
Q: Does the bursary cover private colleges?
No. The bursary is for study at South African public universities.
Q: What support do I get beyond the money?
Recipients receive mentorship, psychosocial counselling, academic coaching, career guidance, digital skills training and access to networking and vacation work opportunities, plus a lifelong alumni community after graduation.
