Old Mutual Education Trust Scholarship 2027: R77,000/Year, Closes 31 August

The Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) has opened applications for its 2027 scholarship programme, offering R77 000 per student per year towards higher education. The scholarship is open to paid-up members of ten participating trade unions, as well as their legal spouses and child dependants. Applications opened on 1 July 2026 and close on 31 August 2026, so union families should act now.

About the Programme

Old Mutual is one of Africa’s oldest and largest financial services groups, serving millions of customers across the continent with insurance, savings and investment products. The Old Mutual Education Trust was established in April 2005 as part of a B-BBEE transaction between Old Mutual and ten trade unions, with a clear mandate: to open the doors of higher education to working-class families.

Since then, OMET has supported the academic journeys of more than 550 graduates. The trust describes its approach as holistic, meaning it does not simply pay a portion of fees and walk away. Scholars receive laptops, academic support, career guidance and access to counselling services throughout their studies. For union households where a university education often feels out of reach, OMET is one of the most established and reliable funding channels in the country.

What Is Covered

• A partial bursary of R77 000 per student per academic year
• A laptop for your studies
• Structured academic support throughout the year
• Career guidance
• Access to counselling and wellness services

Who Can Apply

• Paid-up members of one of the ten participating trade unions
• Legal spouses of paid-up union members
• Child dependants of paid-up union members, under the age of 25, including biological, adopted, step, grand and blood-relation children for whom the member is solely financially responsible
• You must be studying or planning to study at a recognised South African higher education institution in 2027
• The full list of participating unions and academic requirements is confirmed during the application process

RELATED: Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary 2027: Fully Funded, Closes 30 September

Required Documents

• Certified copy of your South African ID document
• Certified copy of the union member’s ID and proof of paid-up union membership
• Proof of your relationship to the union member, such as a birth or marriage certificate, if you apply as a spouse or dependant
• Latest academic results, either Matric results or your university academic record
• Proof of application, registration or acceptance at a higher education institution for 2027

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you or your family member is a paid-up member of a participating union
2. Visit the Old Mutual Education Trust page on the official Old Mutual website
3. Read the eligibility rules and gather your supporting documents
4. Complete the application as directed on the OMET page
5. Submit before the closing date and keep proof of submission

Start your application here: Apply at Old Mutual

Closing Date

The closing date for the Old Mutual Education Trust Scholarship 2027 is 31 August 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

Why It Matters

Millions of South African workers belong to trade unions, yet many of their children never reach university because household income is just high enough to miss NSFAS but far too low to afford fees. OMET was designed for exactly this missing middle.

R77 000 a year, plus a laptop and academic support, can turn a matric certificate into a degree without plunging a family into debt. The selection process runs from 7 to 9 October 2026, with final board approval in November 2026, so successful families will know before the academic year starts. If your household includes a union member, this is one application you cannot afford to skip.

Frequently Asked Questions