GCRA Bursary South Africa 2026 – Complete Guide
The GCRA Bursary South Africa 2026 is offered by the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) to support students residing in Gauteng who are pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies at accredited institutions in South Africa. The bursary forms part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s skills development initiatives and is aimed at improving access to post-school education and training within the province.
This guide presents a complete overview of the GCRA bursary 2026, including who should apply, what the bursary covers, eligibility requirements, and the application process, based strictly on the officially supplied information.
About the Bursary Provider
The Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) is a branch of the Gauteng Department of Education, which falls under the South African government. GCRA is responsible for skills development within the Gauteng Province and facilitates and coordinates bursaries, internships, learnerships, and career guidance programmes to support students and young people in the province.
Who Should Apply
The GCRA bursary is intended for students who:
Reside within the Gauteng Province
Have completed Matric in Gauteng
Are studying or have been accepted to study towards an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in 2026
Are seeking financial support to pursue post-school education and training
Fields of Study Covered
The GCRA bursary is awarded for studies in any field.
Level of Study
Undergraduate studies
Postgraduate studies
What the Bursary Covers
The GCRA bursary provides cover for the following expenses:
Registration fees
Tuition fees
Accommodation in residence (up to R65 000) or
Off-campus or private accommodation (up to R47 000)
Books
Laptop
Living allowance for off-campus or private accommodation
GCRA bursary funds are paid directly to the institution where successful candidates are studying. Certain allowances, including laptop, book, and living allowances, may be paid directly to students.
Selection Criteria
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 3 to 4 weeks after the application closing date. Applicants who do not receive any feedback 4 weeks after the closing date should regard their application as unsuccessful.
No additional selection or assessment criteria have been specified.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:
Must be a South African citizen
Must be between 18 and 35 years old
Must reside within the Gauteng Province
Must have completed Matric in Gauteng
Must have been accepted or registered to study towards an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in 2026
Must have been accepted to study at an accredited and registered Post School Education and Training (PSET) institution in South Africa, including:
Public Higher Education Institutions
Private Higher Education Institutions
TVET colleges
Private colleges
Community Education and Training colleges
Skills development providers
Preference will be given to students pursuing studies in GGT2030 priority sectors, including:
Art and Design
Finance, Economics and Accounting
Electrical Infrastructure Construction
Civil Engineering Construction
Hospitality Management
IT and Computer Science
Mechanical Automotive
Mechanical Automotive and Diesel Engineering
Tourism
Transport and Logistics
Students who meet any one of the following criteria will automatically qualify for the bursary (application submission is still required):
Top achievers at a Gauteng-based school
Top 3 learners from a no-fee-paying Gauteng-based school
Top 3 learners from a Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) Gauteng-based school
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the official GCRA platform:
Applicants must register an account before logging in and applying.
Enter www.coursecouch.blogspot.com in the field asking how you heard about the GCRA bursary.
Application Process
The online application consists of the following steps:
Step 1: Personal Profile
Personal information
Address and contact details
Matric final results and details
Parent or guardian information
Step 2: Academic and Supporting Information
Tertiary institution results and details
Information on other sponsors
Uploading of supporting documents
Agreement to terms and conditions
Applicants must select the correct bursary type, such as New Intake, Renewal, Reinstatement, Top Achiever, Top 3 Achiever, LSEN, MEC/HOD Discretion, Veteran Discretion, Financial Assistance, or Top Ups, based on their circumstances.
If you are unsure which type of bursary to apply for, please note the following:
- New Intake means you applying to the GCRA bursary for the first time
- Renewal means you were funded by the GCRA bursary in the previous year, and you are now reapplying
- Reinstatement means your bursary was suspended and you have now satisfIed the conditions to have your bursary reinstated
- Top Achievers means you are one of the top Achiever within Gauteng
- Top 3 Achiever means you attended a no fee paying school
- Top 3 in LSEN (learners with special educational needs) Schools
- MEC/HOD Discretion means the MEC/HOD advised you to apply for a bursary
- Veteran Discretion means you are a child of a Military Veteran
- Financial Assistance means you have finance, but require assistance
- Top Ups means you have an existing bursary, but need additional funding
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must upload clear copies of the following documents:
Certified copy of South African ID document
Certified copy of Matric certificate
Certified copy of most recent academic record (if currently studying)
Proof of registration or acceptance at a recognised PSET institution or institution of higher learning (on institution letterhead)
Proof of address in Gauteng (water and electricity bill, stamped ward councillor’s letter, or letter from traditional authority if in a rural area)
Motivational letter stating why the bursary should be awarded (maximum 2 pages)
Disability or medical report, if applicable
Certified proof of parents’ or guardians’ income (latest payslips if employed or affidavit if unemployed)
Proof of any other bursaries currently received, if applicable
Documents must be correctly labelled, saved in PDF format, and not exceed 2MB per document.
Application Preparation Tips
Applicants are advised to:
Ensure all documents are clear, correctly certified, and properly labelled
Prepare a concise motivational letter within the required page limit
Save progress regularly on the online system
Submit the application before the closing date
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who qualifies automatically for the GCRA bursary?
Top achievers at Gauteng-based schools, top 3 learners from no-fee-paying Gauteng schools, and top 3 learners from LSEN Gauteng schools automatically qualify, provided they submit an application.
How will applicants know if they are successful?
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 3 to 4 weeks after the closing date.
Can students with another bursary apply?
Yes. Students who already hold another bursary may apply if they require top-up funding and indicate this on the application.
Closing Date
28 February 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.
Contact Details
For queries related to the GCRA bursary programme, contact the Gauteng City Region Academy directly:
New bursary queries
Email: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za
Tel: 0800 000 789 or 011 355 0000
Bursary renewal queries
Hours of operation: 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
This guide is published to provide accurate, up-to-date information on South African bursaries and to support students in making informed education funding decisions.