The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a South African citizen with a strong academic record and proven financial need, and you are pursuing a qualification in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Software Engineering, this opportunity could help you fund your studies. The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa hopes to do just that with its bursary programme, established in 2021. As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’ In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what the income requirements are, and how to apply before the closing date.
About the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa opens its call for applicants for its bursary programme. As an organisation committed to developing the skills of South Africa’s youth, as well as aligning to our country’s transformation efforts, the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust has started a bursary programme aimed at furthering IT education opportunities for South African beneficiaries.
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 is designed to support students who can show good academic results as well as financial need. Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate both criteria to be considered for funding.
Organisation: Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa • Established: 2021 • Focus: IT education opportunities • Academic Year: 2027
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 will be awarded for studies within these fields (NQF level 7 or NQF level 8):
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Software Engineering
Eligibility Requirements for the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027
Before you apply for the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust 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 have completed Matric or be currently in Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above
- You must be entering your 1st to 4th year of study in 2027 (fourth year includes students in B Tech [NQF level 7] and Honours programmes [NQF level 8])
- You must be accepted or registered to study at a private or public institution that is registered with the Department of Education in South Africa
- You must have a strong academic record
- You must have proven financial need, with a combined family income of between R350,000 and R600,000 per annum (“missing middle” students)
- Preference will be given to equity candidates
Note: The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 specifically targets “missing middle” students – those whose family income falls between R350,000 and R600,000 per year, who often do not qualify for NSFAS but still struggle to afford tertiary education.
Required Documents
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application for the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027. All documents must be certified.
- Clear photograph (head and shoulders)
- Matric certificate / Matric latest results
- Full academic record, if currently studying
- Proof of acceptance or registration at a tertiary institution
- Proof of parents or guardians household income:
- Latest payslips if employed
- Affidavit if unemployed
- Affidavit stating annual income if self-employed
- Most recent audited financial statement or 3 months’ most recent bank statements if they own a business
- SASSA letter stating the grants received if applicable
How to Apply for the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027
Follow these steps to submit your application for the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027. The application process is managed through StudyTrust.
Step 1: Read the Instructions
Before making an application, applicants must read the StudyTrust bursary applications page.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a South African citizen with a strong academic record, studying one of the IT fields, and having a household income between R350,000 and R600,000 per year.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents listed above, ensuring they are certified copies. This includes your photograph, Matric results, academic record (if applicable), proof of registration, and proof of household income.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Click the button below to go to the official Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust bursary application portal. Fill in all required fields carefully and upload your documents.
Direct application link: https://studytrust.org.za/cisco/
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
⏰ Closing Date for the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027: 30 September 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
If you have any queries related to the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact StudyTrust directly:
- Telephone: 011 403 1632
- Email: apply@StudyTrust.org.za
Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary
- Organisation: Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa
- Bursary Name: Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary Programme
- Established: 2021
- Academic Year: 2027
- Who can apply: South African citizens with strong academic records
- Fields of study: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering
- Study level: NQF level 7 or 8 (1st to 4th year, including B Tech and Honours)
- Institution type: Public or private institutions registered with the Department of Education
- Household income range: Between R350,000 and R600,000 per annum (“missing middle” students)
- Preference: Equity candidates
- Required documents: Photograph, Matric results, academic record, proof of registration, proof of income
- Application method: Online via StudyTrust website
- Closing date: 30 September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027
1. What does “missing middle” mean?
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 targets “missing middle” students – those whose combined family income is between R350,000 and R600,000 per annum. These students often do not qualify for NSFAS (which typically supports lower-income households) but still struggle to afford tertiary education.
2. Can I apply if my family income is below R350,000 or above R600,000?
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 specifically requires a combined family income between R350,000 and R600,000 per annum. Applicants outside this income range will not be considered.
3. Can I apply if I am in my 4th year or Honours programme?
Yes. The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 accepts applications from students entering their 1st to 4th year of study in 2027. Fourth year includes students in B Tech (NQF level 7) and Honours programmes (NQF level 8).
4. Can I apply if I want to study at a private institution?
Yes. The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 accepts applications from students accepted or registered to study at private or public institutions that are registered with the Department of Education in South Africa.
5. What are equity candidates?
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 gives preference to equity candidates, which typically refers to individuals from previously disadvantaged groups as defined by South Africa’s employment equity and transformation policies.
6. When was the Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust bursary established?
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa started its bursary programme in 2021, with the aim of furthering IT education opportunities for South African beneficiaries.
7. What are the NQF levels for this bursary?
The Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust Bursary South Africa 2027 supports studies at NQF level 7 (which includes Bachelor’s degrees and Advanced Diplomas) and NQF level 8 (which includes Honours degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas).
8. Where can I find more IT and computer science bursaries?
Visit EduFunds IT bursaries page or bursary database for more funding opportunities.
Looking for more study funding? Explore all bursaries for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za
Cisco Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa
Bursary Programme 2027
Developing IT skills • Empowering missing middle students • Building South Africa’s digital future