The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a South African citizen registered or having applied to study in the Faculties of Science, Engineering, or Agriculture at a university, university of technology, or college of agriculture, come from a “missing middle” family with a combined income between R350,000 and R600,000, and are from sugarcane-growing areas within KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, this opportunity could help you fund your education. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the SITFE Bursary South Africa 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what expenses are included, and how to apply before the closing date.
About the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE)
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) was launched in 1965 as a private sector initiative and is regarded as one of the oldest Trust Funds in South Africa.
The mission of SITFE is to support, promote and advance sustainable, quality education in South African sugarcane growing areas.
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2027 academic year.
Organisation: Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) • Founded: 1965 • Focus: Agriculture and Engineering • Academic Year: 2027
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 is open to “missing middle” students who have applied or are registered at any South African public university or university of technology. Students who have applied or are enrolled at the following agricultural colleges are also invited to apply:
- Owen Sithole College of Agriculture
- Cedara College of Agriculture
Bursaries will be awarded for studies in the following fields:
- Agriculture
- Engineering
Eligibility Requirements for the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027
Before you apply for the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be registered or have applied to study in the Faculties of Science, Engineering, or Agriculture at a university, university of technology, or college of agriculture
- “Missing middle” applicants must have a combined family income between R350,000 and R600,000
- Applicants must come from sugarcane-growing areas within the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where sugar mills and sugar industry administrative infrastructure are located
- Children of sugarcane farm workers may register or apply for any field of study at a university, university of technology, or college of agriculture
Required Documents
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application.
- ID document
- Matric final trial results and statement of results/certificate
- Tertiary final exam results, if currently studying
- Proof of connection to the sugar industry if applicable
- Proof of parents or guardians household income (payslips if employed, pension receipts if on pension, affidavit if unemployed)
- Death certificate if a parent is deceased
- Proof of application or registration at a University, University of Technology or Agricultural College for 2027 (on institution’s letterhead)
How to Apply for the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027
Follow these steps to submit your application for the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027. Applications can be submitted online or via hard copy (please only submit your application once).
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a South African citizen from a sugarcane-growing area in KwaZulu-Natal or Mpumalanga, with a combined family income between R350,000 and R600,000 (missing middle), and studying Agriculture or Engineering.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents listed above, including your proof of household income, Matric results, and proof of application or registration.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Apply online using the official SITFE application portal, or download and complete the hard copy application form.
Direct online application link: https://www.sitfe.co.za/online-bursary-application/
Hard copy application form: https://www.sitfe.co.za/sitfe-bursary-application-form-2027/
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Completed application forms must be submitted via one of the following ways:
Email: bursaries@sasa.org.za
Subject line: SITFE Bursary 2027
Post:
Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education
PO Box 700
Mount Edgecombe
4300
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
⏰ Closing Date for the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027: 30 November 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
For any queries related to the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) directly:
- Telephone: 031 508 7034
- Fax: 031 508 7191
- Email: bursaries@sasa.org.za
Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary
- Organisation: Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE)
- Bursary Name: SITFE Bursary Programme
- Founded: 1965
- Academic Year: 2027
- Who can apply: South African citizens from sugarcane-growing areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga
- Fields of study: Agriculture and Engineering
- Study level: Undergraduate
- Institution type: Public university, university of technology, or agricultural college
- Key requirements: Combined family income between R350,000 and R600,000 (missing middle), registered or applied for 2027
- Special provision: Children of sugarcane farm workers may register or apply for any field of study
- Required documents: ID, Matric results, tertiary results (if studying), proof of connection to sugar industry, proof of household income, death certificate (if applicable), proof of application/registration
- Application method: Online, email, or post
- Subject line: SITFE Bursary 2027
- Closing date: 30 November 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027
1. Who can apply for this bursary?
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 is open to South African citizens from sugarcane-growing areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, registered or having applied to study in Agriculture or Engineering, with a combined family income between R350,000 and R600,000.
2. What fields of study are covered?
The bursary covers Agriculture and Engineering.
3. What does “missing middle” mean?
“Missing middle” refers to students whose combined family income falls between R350,000 and R600,000, who typically do not qualify for NSFAS but still struggle to afford tertiary education.
4. Can children of sugarcane farm workers apply for any field?
Yes. Children of sugarcane farm workers may register or apply for any field of study at a university, university of technology, or college of agriculture.
5. What documents do I need to submit?
You need to submit: ID document, Matric final trial results and statement of results/certificate, tertiary final exam results (if studying), proof of connection to the sugar industry (if applicable), proof of household income, death certificate (if applicable), and proof of application or registration for 2027.
6. What is the subject line for email submissions?
The subject line for email submissions is “SITFE Bursary 2027”.
7. What is the closing date?
The closing date for the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) Bursary South Africa 2027 is 30 November 2026.
8. Where can I find more agriculture and engineering bursaries?
Visit latest agriculture bursaries in South Africa for 2027 or latest bursaries in South Africa for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za for more funding opportunities.
Looking for more study funding? Explore bursaries South Africa 2027 on EduFunds.co.za
Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE)
Bursary Programme 2027
Supporting sustainable, quality education in South African sugarcane growing areas