Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Open
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen with a disability
- Currently in Matric or completed Matric
- Pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate study
- Field of study classified as scarce or critical skills
- Genuine commitment to completing the qualification
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Proof or documentation of disability
- Matric results or academic transcript
- Proof of registration or admission
- Confirmation of scarce-skills qualification
About Dec Trust Bursary for Students With Disabilities
The DEC Trust Bursary for Students with Disabilities is run by the Disability Empowerment Concerns (DEC) Trust, a non-profit established in 1996, for South African citizens with disabilities studying scarce and critical skills fields.
Because only shortlisted candidates are contacted, don't treat silence after applying as an automatic rejection before the process has actually concluded - but do make sure your disability status and your qualification's scarce-skills classification are both stated clearly and supported by documentation, since these are two of the Trust's five explicit selection criteria.
Funding Details
The Trust provides bursary funding based on availability, with selection weighing disability status, university admission, academic performance, registration for a scarce-skills qualification, and commitment to completing the qualification.
Where You Can Study
Any recognised South African tertiary institution qualifies, provided your qualification is classified as a scarce or critical skills field.
About Disability Empowerment Concerns (DEC) Trust
The Disability Empowerment Concerns (DEC) Trust is a South African non-profit organisation established in 1996, focused on advancing the social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities.The Trust funds bursarie…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
You must be a South African citizen with a disability, currently in Matric or having completed it, pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate study in a scarce and critical skills field.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be notified if I'm not shortlisted?
No, only shortlisted candidates are contacted, so a lack of response isn't unusual during the review period.
What counts as a "scarce and critical skills" field?
This varies by year based on national scarce-skills lists - check the current DEC Trust notice for the specific fields it is prioritising.
Does the bursary cover postgraduate study?
Yes, both undergraduate and postgraduate study are eligible.
What are the five selection criteria?
Disability status, university admission, academic performance, registration for a scarce-skills qualification, and commitment to completing the qualification.
