Tomorrow Trust Bursary 2027: Apply Online & Requirements Guide

Every year thousands of talented South African students lose their shot at a university degree simply because nobody told them funding like this existed until it was too late. The Tomorrow Trust Bursary Programme 2027 is now live for applications, and it is one of the more generous STEM focused funding options currently open to South African citizens, covering everything from tuition to living costs while also building your career skills long before you graduate. If you are chasing a degree in engineering, IT, computer science, property sciences or the broader sciences, this guide breaks down exactly who qualifies, what you need, and how to apply before the doors close.

Who Is Behind the Tomorrow Trust Bursary

The Tomorrow Trust is a South African non profit organisation founded in 2005 with a clear mission: helping orphaned, vulnerable and under resourced young people access quality education from Grade R all the way through to university and into the workplace. Over the past two decades the organisation has worked with businesses, government bodies and individual donors to fund learners on what it calls the journey "from playground to profession."

Unlike many corporate bursary schemes that simply write a cheque for tuition, the Tomorrow Trust takes a more hands on approach. Its Tertiary Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year is designed to remove financial barriers while also wrapping students in mentorship, coaching and psychosocial support so they actually make it to graduation, not just to first year registration.

Eligibility Criteria You Must Meet

Before spending time on the application, check yourself against these baseline requirements. Missing even one of them means your application will not move forward.

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be between 18 and 35 years old
• You must currently be in Matric or have already completed Matric
• You must be studying, or planning to study, full time towards an undergraduate degree
• Your chosen qualification must fall within the approved fields of study listed below
• You must be enrolled, or planning to enrol, at a recognised public university in South Africa

Private colleges, private universities and part time study routes are not covered under this particular programme, so make sure your intended institution is a public university before you apply.

General Requirements For Applicants

Beyond the core eligibility list, successful applicants are typically expected to show genuine financial need, a consistent academic track record and a real interest in the field they intend to study. The Tomorrow Trust reviews applications holistically, meaning your motivation letter and personal circumstances carry real weight alongside your marks. Students who can clearly explain why they want to pursue a STEM related career, and how the bursary will change their trajectory, tend to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

Stipend and Financial Coverage

This is where the Tomorrow Trust Bursary genuinely stands out from smaller scholarship schemes. Successful applicants receive comprehensive financial cover rather than a once off payment, including:

• Full tuition fees at a recognised public university
• Prescribed textbooks and study materials
• Equipment required for practical or technical coursework
• Accommodation costs for the academic year
• A monthly living allowance to cover day to day expenses

Because the funding is need based and tied to your specific university and course, the exact rand value differs from student to student. Applicants are encouraged to apply with an accurate breakdown of their expected costs so the Trust can assess funding accordingly.

Qualification Fields Covered By The Programme

The 2027 intake is aimed squarely at building South Africa's future skills pipeline in technical and scientific careers. Bursaries are awarded for full time undergraduate study in the following fields:

• BSc Sciences qualifications
• Engineering, across its various disciplines
• Information Technology and Computer Science
• Property Sciences
• Other STEM related qualifications approved by the Trust

If your intended course does not fall under one of these categories, it is unlikely to be considered under this specific bursary cycle, so it is worth double checking your programme name against the official list before applying.

Documents You Need To Prepare

Gathering your paperwork ahead of time will save you a lot of stress closer to the deadline. Have certified copies of the following ready before you start your online application:

• A valid South African ID document
• Your latest Matric results, if you are currently in Matric
• Your Matric certificate, if you have already completed Matric
• Your full academic record, if you are currently studying at a tertiary level
• Proof of university registration or an acceptance letter
• A well written motivation letter explaining your circumstances and career goals

Uncertified or blurry document uploads are one of the most common reasons applications get delayed or rejected, so take the extra few minutes to get certified copies from your local police station, Home Affairs office or a commissioner of oaths.

What You Gain Beyond The Money

The real long term value of this bursary often lies outside the bank transfer. Recipients typically get access to:

• One on one mentorship and coaching throughout their degree
• Psychosocial support to help manage the pressures of university life
• Career focused masterclasses and skills workshops
• Networking opportunities with employers and industry professionals
• Personal mastery training aimed at building future ready, workplace relevant skills

For students entering fields like engineering and IT, where employers increasingly look beyond just a degree certificate, this kind of structured support can be the difference between graduating with a qualification and graduating genuinely employable. Many alumni of Tomorrow Trust funded programmes go on to secure graduate positions in the very sectors experiencing skills shortages across South Africa.

South Africa continues to report shortages of qualified professionals in engineering, software development, data related roles and the built environment, which means graduates from these fields generally step into a job market with stronger demand than many other disciplines. By pairing financial support with career coaching and industry networking, the Tomorrow Trust is essentially trying to shorten the gap between graduation day and your first real job offer, rather than leaving that part entirely up to you.

Step By Step Application Process

Applications for the Tomorrow Trust Bursary 2027 are submitted entirely online through the Bursio platform. Here is how to work through it methodically.

Step 1: Confirm You Qualify

Go back through the eligibility list above and make sure every single point applies to you. There is no benefit in applying if your course or institution does not match the criteria.

Step 2: Get Your Documents In Order

Pull together certified copies of your ID, academic results, proof of registration and your motivation letter. Save digital copies as clear scans or photos so they upload without issue.

Step 3: Create Your Online Profile

Head to the official Tomorrow Trust application portal and register an account. You will need a working email address and phone number to complete registration.

Step 4: Fill In And Submit Your Application

Complete every section of the online form accurately, upload your supporting documents, and proofread your motivation letter before hitting submit. Half finished or inaccurate applications are far less likely to succeed.

Step 5: Submit Before The Deadline

The closing date for the 2027 academic year intake is 30 September 2026. Applications received after this date will not be accepted under any circumstances, so build in a buffer and avoid submitting at the very last minute.

Official Contact Details

If you run into problems during your application or have questions the website does not answer, reach out directly to the Tomorrow Trust team rather than relying on third party sources:

• Email: info@tomorrow.org.za or info@tomorrowtrust.org.za

Keep a record of any correspondence and reference numbers in case you need to follow up later in the selection process.

Expert Tips To Strengthen Your Application

• Apply as early as possible rather than waiting until the final week before the deadline
• Triple check that every document is legible, certified and correctly labelled before upload
• Write a motivation letter that is honest and specific about your circumstances rather than generic
• Use accurate, currently active contact details so the selection team can reach you without delay
• Show genuine enthusiasm for your chosen STEM field rather than simply listing achievements
• Keep copies of everything you submit in case you need to reference them during follow up communication

Related Funding Opportunities Worth Exploring

If you are gathering funding options for the 2027 academic year, it is smart to apply to more than one bursary rather than relying on a single application. Students in STEM, engineering and IT fields are often eligible for several government and private sector bursary schemes running on similar timelines, along with NSFAS funding for those who qualify based on household income. Comparing multiple schemes and applying to all the ones you are eligible for significantly improves your chances of securing full funding before the academic year begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am younger than 18? No. The programme requires applicants to be between 18 and 35 years old, so anyone younger does not currently qualify.

What happens if I am older than 35? Unfortunately the age cap is firm at 35, and applicants above this age are not eligible for the 2027 intake.

Is this bursary open to students planning to study at private colleges? No. Funding is limited to full time undergraduate study at recognised public universities in South Africa.

Does the bursary cover postgraduate study? No. The current programme is aimed specifically at undergraduate qualifications in the approved STEM related fields.

Is the Tomorrow Trust Bursary only for orphans or vulnerable children? While the organisation was founded to support orphaned and vulnerable children, the bursary itself is open to any eligible South African citizen aged 18 to 35 who meets the academic and financial need requirements.

How is the application submitted? Entirely online, through the Bursio application platform linked from the official Tomorrow Trust bursary page.

Will I hear back if my application is unsuccessful? Selection outcomes are typically communicated by the Trust directly to applicants after the closing date, though processing times can vary depending on application volume.

Can current university students apply, or is this only for incoming first years? Both are eligible, provided you meet the age requirement and are studying full time in one of the approved fields at a public university.

Disclaimer

This article is intended purely for informational purposes to help students understand the Tomorrow Trust Bursary Programme 2027. All eligibility criteria, covered expenses, required documents and closing dates are based on publicly available information at the time of writing and are subject to change at the discretion of the Tomorrow Trust. Applicants are strongly advised to verify every detail directly on the official Tomorrow Trust application portal or by contacting the organisation through the email addresses listed above before making any academic or financial decisions based on this guide.

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