SIOC-CDT Bursary 2027: Everything You Need to Know Before You Apply

Applications for the SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) Bursary Programme 2027 are open, and the deadline is Monday, 30 November 2026 at 12:00 midday.

For learners and students in the Northern Cape and Limpopo mining communities, this bursary can pay for a large share of your studies. It is also tightly targeted, so a quick read of the rules now can save you from a rejected application later.

Apply here

Online application (preferred and encouraged):
👉 https://duxpd.co.za/sioc-cdt-online-bursary-application-form/

Prefer paper? You can download the official 2027 application form from the SIOC-CDT bursary advert on Edupstairs and hand-deliver it. Hand-delivery addresses are listed further down.

The bursary at a glance

Detail	Information
Provider	SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT)
Study year	2027
Type	Post-matric bursary
Closing date	30 November 2026, 12:00 midday
Age limit	Not older than 35 by the closing date
Academic requirement	NSC average of 65% or higher
Household income limit	Combined gross annual income of R600,000 or less
Institution	Accepted or provisionally accepted at a public higher education institution for 2027
Disability	People with disabilities are encouraged to apply

What is SIOC-CDT?

The Sishen Iron Ore Company Community Development Trust was set up to invest in the communities around the company’s mining operations. Education is one of its main tools. The goal of the bursary is to help young people in these communities study and build an economically sustainable livelihood.

That aim shapes who can apply. This is a community bursary, not a national one.

Who can apply?

You need to meet every one of these conditions.

1. Your community. You must live in, or originate from, one of these five areas:

• Gamagara
• Ga-Segonyana
• Joe Morolong
• Tsantsabane
• Thabazimbi

Strong marks alone are not enough if you do not come from one of these areas.

2. Your age. You must not be older than 35 on the closing date.

3. Your marks. You need an NSC (matric) average of 65% or higher.

4. Your household income. Your household’s combined gross annual income must not exceed R600,000. You will need to show proof, which is covered below.

5. Your study place. You must be accepted, or provisionally accepted, at a relevant public higher education institution for 2027. The advert also accepts proof that you have applied to a recognised public institution, including a university or TVET college.

6. Your financial need. You must show that you need help funding your studies. The bursary is open to undergraduate and postgraduate study.

What the bursary pays for

For successful candidates, the funding covers:

• Registration and tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Prescribed study material
• A laptop, given as a once-off donation
• A monthly stipend
• Assistive devices for students with disabilities

The stipend amount, payment arrangements and conditions will be set out in your bursary agreement if you are selected. Read that agreement carefully before you sign.

Priority fields of study

You can apply for any field, but SIOC-CDT has named priority areas.

• Agriculture: Veterinary, Livestock Product Analyst, Environmental Officer, Agricultural Economist, Agricultural Engineer, Food Technologist/Technician
• Health and clinical sciences: MBChB, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Advanced EMS, Nursing, Chemical, Biological and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Biochemistry
• Education: BEd FET Mathematics, BEd FET Physical Science, BEd Natural Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, BEd Foundation Phase, BEd Language, BEd Special Needs
• Law: Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Tourism: Hospitality Management, Arts and Culture Heritage, Eco-Tourism Management
• Business management and economics: Accounting, Economics, Auditing and Tax, Actuarial Science, Statistics and Mathematics, Project Management
• Engineering and sciences: Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Geology, Electrical Engineering, Town Planning, Environmental Health
• Information technology: Computer Science and Communication, Software Development, Data Science/Analytics, Web Design and Development

One caution: do not pick a degree only because it is on this list. Choose a field you can realistically finish and want to work in.

Documents you need

Gather these early. Most are quick to get, but a few take time.

1. A certified copy of your South African ID
2. A certified copy of your latest matric results, including mid-year Grade 12 results. If you are applying for second year or later, use your latest university or college results.
3. A certified copy of your final NSC results, if you finished matric before 2026
4. Proof of acceptance, provisional acceptance, or application at a public university or TVET college
5. Proof of residence that is no older than three months
6. Proof of your parent’s or guardian’s income, such as recent payslips. If they are unemployed, a sworn affidavit declaring this.
7. A SASSA grant recipient certificate, if it applies to you
8. Three months of recent bank statements
9. A medical certificate confirming the type of disability, if it applies to you

Certified copies and sworn affidavits are the usual bottlenecks. Police stations and some other offices can certify documents, but queues get long near deadlines.

How to apply

Option 1: Online (recommended)

1. Open the application link: https://duxpd.co.za/sioc-cdt-online-bursary-application-form/
2. Have your documents scanned or photographed clearly before you start.
3. Complete every section accurately.
4. Submit before the deadline, not on the last morning.

Option 2: Manual

Complete the official paper form legibly and in full. Incomplete or unreadable forms may not be considered. Delivering the form on time is your responsibility, so it must reach SIOC-CDT before the closing time. Deliver it by hand to one of these offices.

Kathu
SIOC-CDT Office Park, Block A, Ground Floor
Corner Hendrick Van Eck and Ian Flemming Road
Kathu, 8446

Thabazimbi
SIOC-CDT Thabazimbi Business Hub
11 Jourdain Street, Mollies Building
Thabazimbi, 0380

Key dates

• 30 November 2026, 12:00: applications close
• 14 January 2027: the form states that all final results must be submitted by this date

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applying, being shortlisted or being interviewed does not guarantee a bursary.

A practical plan for the next eight weeks

Weeks 1–2. Confirm that you meet every requirement. Check your community, age, average and household income honestly. If you are close to a limit, ask SIOC-CDT before applying.

Weeks 2–4. Collect your documents. Request proof of residence, get your copies certified, and ask a parent or guardian for payslips or an affidavit.

Weeks 4–5. Secure your study place. Apply to your institution if you have not yet. Bursary funding and university admission are separate processes, and you need to complete both.

Weeks 5–6. Complete the online application and double-check every entry against your documents.

Weeks 6–7. Submit, then keep a copy or screenshot of your confirmation.

Week 8. Do not rely on this week. Aim to be finished well before 30 November.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not belonging to a beneficiary community. This is the most common reason for being ineligible.
• Old proof of residence. It must be no more than three months old.
• Missing income evidence. Without payslips or an affidavit, your financial need cannot be assessed.
• Uncertified or unclear copies. Scans that cut off the edges or blur the numbers cause delays.
• Waiting for the last day. Websites slow down and offices get crowded close to a deadline.
• Applying to one bursary only. Funding is competitive, so apply to every bursary you legitimately qualify for.

Beware of scams

Applying for this bursary costs nothing. Never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee you a bursary, secure university admission or push your application to the front. Use the official application link above, and check details with SIOC-CDT directly if something looks suspicious.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply if I am already at university?
Yes. Returning students can submit their latest academic results instead of matric results.

Can postgraduate students apply?
Yes. The bursary covers undergraduate and postgraduate study, as long as you meet the other requirements.

Do I need a final acceptance letter?
Provisional acceptance is enough, and so is proof that you have applied to a public university or TVET college.

Is the laptop a loan?
It is described as a once-off donation to successful beneficiaries.

Can people with disabilities apply?
Yes. They are specifically encouraged to apply, and the bursary includes assistive devices.

Does applying guarantee funding?
No. Selection is competitive and based on the trust’s criteria.

Final thoughts

If you live in Gamagara, Ga-Segonyana, Joe Morolong, Tsantsabane or Thabazimbi, meet the academic and income requirements, and have a place to study in 2027, this bursary is worth your time. Start gathering documents today, and submit your application early.

Apply now: https://duxpd.co.za/sioc-cdt-online-bursary-application-form/

Disclaimer: This article is an informational guide, not an official SIOC-CDT publication. Always check the official 2027 advertisement and application form for final requirements, and confirm the closing date with SIOC-CDT before you submit. The details above come from the official 2027 form and a published summary of the advert.

If you’d like, I can put this into a Word document or PDF, or write a shorter version for social media.