Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
Eligibility Requirements
- South African student who needs financial help
- Applying to the SANZAF regional office for your area
- Complete application with every required document
- Ability to attend an interview if shortlisted
- Own funds for registration fees
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Testimonial from your school or Imam
- Proof of income for your parents, guardian, spouse, state grant or self-employment
- Motivational letter that explains why you need a bursary
SANZAF considers only applications that have all of these documents.
About SANZAF Zakah Bursary
The SANZAF Zakah Bursary helps South African students who cannot pay for tertiary study. The South African National Zakah Fund runs it through its SEED programme. It is open for the 2027 academic year, and each region sets its own dates.
The fund gives partial support, so it expects you to look for other funding as well. It supports the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and encourages every student to apply to NSFAS too.
Funding Details
SANZAF bursaries are partial funding towards your fees. The fund pays the money into your institution's account and never into your own account. SANZAF does not let students withdraw money that it has paid, even if your account is in credit.
Successful applicants receive a confirmation of pledge letter. The letter shows what SANZAF has agreed to pay, so keep it safe and give a copy to your institution's finance office.
Ask your regional office when payments begin and how the fund will confirm your registration. Keep your fee statement and your pledge letter together, and give your institution's finance office a copy as soon as you receive the letter. That helps them match the payment to your student account without delay.
Where You Can Study
SANZAF pays your institution directly. The page does not list the institutions it supports, so ask your regional office if you plan to study somewhere unusual. You must organise your own registration fees, because the bursary does not pay them.
About SANZAF
About SANZAF The South African National Zakah Fund, known as SANZAF, is a faith-based welfare and education organisation. It collects Zakah and other charitable gifts from Muslim donors and distributes them to people in …
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
You apply to the SANZAF office in the region where you live. That means a Durban student cannot use the Western Cape office. The bursary is for South African students who need financial help, and your application must show that your family cannot pay the fees.
Applicants must prove their household income. The form asks about parents, guardians, a spouse, a state grant or self-employment, depending on your situation. Your school or Imam must also write a testimonial about you.
When we checked on 6 November 2026, the SANZAF page listed these regional dates for the 2027 round.
- Gauteng: 1 October to 15 December 2026
- Western Cape: 1 October to 31 December 2026
- Kimberley: 1 October 2026 to 10 January 2027
- Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Ladysmith: closed in September 2026
- East London and Gqeberha: closed on 31 October 2026
Because SANZAF pays only part of the fees, plan how you will cover the rest. Many students combine the bursary with NSFAS, a university bursary or family support. Tell your regional office what other funding you have applied for, since a clear funding plan helps the committee judge how far its money will go.
Application Procedure
Complete the application form for your region, and submit your documents with it. The SANZAF bursary page links to each regional form. The bursary committee shortlists candidates and invites them to an interview, and it sends the dates, times and venues by email. Your regional office tells you the outcome. For Gauteng, contact bursary.jhb@sanzaf.org.za or call 011 834 6046.
Last verified:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which region should I apply to?
Apply to the SANZAF office in the area where you live, because each region handles its own applications.
Does SANZAF pay my full fees?
No. SANZAF gives partial funding towards fees, and you must pay your registration fees yourself.
Should I also apply to NSFAS?
Yes. SANZAF supports NSFAS and encourages students to apply to it in addition to the SANZAF bursary.
