The W&RSETA 2026 Bursary Scheme for Unemployed Students is now open for applications. This funding opportunity supports students who want to study retail and retail related qualifications in 2026. The scheme covers both new bursars and continuing bursars who were funded by W&RSETA during the 2025 academic year.
This bursary programme is managed by the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority and focuses on addressing scarce skills, hard to fill vacancies, and emerging occupations within the wholesale and retail sector.
Funding applications are not submitted by individual students. All applications must be made through approved institutions, employers, or bursary administrators.
Funding window deadline: 16 January 2026
About W&RSETA
The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority is responsible for skills development in South Africa’s wholesale and retail sector. This includes retail, supply chain, logistics, finance, marketing, business administration, and related fields.
W&RSETA works closely with public and private education institutions, levy paying employers, and industry partners to fund learning programmes that improve employability and sector growth.
The bursary scheme forms part of W&RSETA’s mandate to support unemployed youth and address skills shortages identified in the Wholesale and Retail Sector Skills Plan.
About the W&RSETA Unemployed Bursary Scheme
The W&RSETA Unemployed Bursary Scheme provides financial support to unemployed students studying retail and retail related qualifications. The scheme supports:
- New bursars entering studies in 2026
- Continuing bursars who were funded in the 2025 academic year and are progressing to the next level
The bursary is aimed at improving access to education for students who do not qualify for NSFAS funding, particularly those classified as missing middle.
Funding is awarded for the 2026 academic year and is subject to availability of funds and compliance with W&RSETA requirements.
Who Can Apply on Behalf of Students
Applications must be submitted by qualifying entities. Individual students are not allowed to apply directly.
The following entities are eligible to apply for bursary funding on behalf of students:
- Public universities and TVET colleges
- Private universities and TVET colleges
- W&RSETA levy paying companies
- Bursary service providers or administrators
- Retail Chairs
Each applying entity is responsible for ensuring that students meet the eligibility criteria before submission.
Selection Criteria for New Bursars
Students applying for the W&RSETA bursary for the first time in 2026 must meet specific selection criteria.
Preference will be given to students enrolled for the 2026 academic year in qualifications that address:
- Sectoral Occupational Demand
- Hard to fill vacancies
- New and emerging occupations identified in the Wholesale and Retail Sector Skills Plan for 2026 and 2027
Retail and retail related qualifications that may be considered include:
- Food Technology
- Food Security
- Supply Chain Management
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Management
- Human Resources
- Credit Management
- Marketing Management
- Operations Management
- Clothing Technology
- Clothing Production
- Business Management
- Business Administration
- Information and Communication Technology
- Fourth Industrial Revolution related programmes
Qualifying Academic Programmes
To qualify for bursary funding, students must be registered or accepted into one of the following programme types:
- Higher certificates, diplomas, or degrees at NQF levels 5 to 7
- NCV programmes at NQF levels 2 to 4
- NATED qualifications N4 to N6 offered at TVET colleges
- Occupational qualifications registered by QCTO at NQF levels 5 to 7
Learnerships do not qualify under this bursary scheme.
Selection Criteria for Continuing Bursars
Continuing bursars are students who were funded by W&RSETA during the 2025 academic year.
To qualify for continued funding in 2026, students must:
- Have been funded by W&RSETA in 2025
- Have passed at least 60 percent of their registered modules
- Qualify for acceptance into the next academic level
Only students who meet all progression requirements will be considered for continued funding.
Bursary Beneficiary Requirements
Students recruited for new bursaries must meet the following requirements:
- South African citizen
- Under the age of 35
- Accepted or registered at a recognised institution
- Enrolled in one of the listed study areas
Preference will be given to students classified as missing middle. This includes students whose parental household income falls between R350 000 and R600 000 per year, as verified by the institution.
Funding Structure
Funding is awarded at the discretion of W&RSETA and depends on the availability of funds.
Approved bursary funding may cover:
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed books and stationery
- Incidental or student allowance
Funding is awarded for the 2026 academic year only. Continued funding into future years is subject to annual application and approval.
Payments are processed once contracts are concluded and compliant grant claims are submitted.
Submission Requirements for Institutions
All bursary applications must be submitted through the W&RSETA Management Information System for the 2026 bursary project.
Institutions applying for both new and continuing bursars must submit separate applications.
Continuing Bursary Submissions
Institutions applying for continuing bursars must submit the following documents as a single submission on the MIS:
- Memorandum of Agreement with W&RSETA
- Expenditure report
- List of students funded in the 2025 academic year with results and continuation status
Statements of results or certificates must be provided after acceptance of the Award Letter to confirm allocations.
New Bursary Submissions
Public and private institutions must submit the following documents on the MIS:
- Proof of institutional registration
- Proof of programme accreditation with the relevant quality assurance body
Bursary administrators and employers will submit these documents after allocation and acceptance.
Contracting and Award Process
Successful applicants will receive an Award Letter generated through the MIS system.
Upon acceptance of the Award Letter, institutions must submit:
- List of registered students aligned to approved study fields
- Cost schedule per student and course
- Proof of institutional registration and programme accreditation
W&RSETA will verify cost schedules against official institutional fee structures.
Approved students must be registered on the MIS within the timelines specified in the Award Letter.
Contracts are concluded once bursar registrations are approved on the MIS.
Application Process and Key Dates
All applications must be submitted online through the W&RSETA stakeholder portal.
Application steps include:
- Online submission through the W&RSETA MIS
- Upload of required institutional documentation
- Evaluation by W&RSETA provincial offices
- Issuing of Award Letters by 15 April 2026
- Registration of bursars on the MIS after award acceptance
DOWNLOAD OFFICIAL ADVERT FOR W&RSETA BURSARY 2026
Funding application deadline: 16 January 2026.
Provincial Support Contacts
Applicants can contact their provincial W&RSETA office for guidance and assistance with the MIS.
Eastern Cape
Contact: Mzamo Matyobeni
Telephone: 043 726 3281
Email: mmatyobeni@wrseta.org.za
Western Cape
Contact: Ashley Goliath
Telephone: 021 561 6500
Email: agoliath@wrseta.org.za
KwaZulu Natal
Contact: Angela Gambushe
Telephone: 031 277 0500
Email: agambushe@wrseta.org.za
Gauteng North
Contact: Lekgethile Mothoa
Telephone: 012 430 4930
Email: lmothoa@wrseta.org.za
Gauteng South and North West
Contact: Jephrey Nene
Telephone: 011 656 0085
Email: jnene@wrseta.org.za
Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Contact: Sipho Khosa
Telephone: 015 291 2237
Email: skhosa@wrseta.org.za
Free State and Northern Cape
Contact: Senzenina Moroe
Telephone: 051 444 0766
Email: smoroe@wrseta.org.za
Why the W&RSETA Bursary Matters
The W&RSETA 2026 Bursary Scheme plays a key role in supporting unemployed youth who want to study in the wholesale and retail sector. It focuses on skills that are directly linked to employment demand and economic growth.
For students who fall within the missing middle category, this bursary offers an important pathway into further education without the burden of full study costs.
Institutions and employers are encouraged to submit complete and compliant applications before the closing date to ensure eligible students can benefit from this funding opportunity.
