Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen
- Registered (or about to register) for 3rd year, 4th year, or an Honours qualification in 2026 — 1st and 2nd year students do not qualify
- Studying towards Civil Engineering, Accounting, Marketing, Information Technology, or Maths and Science Teaching
- Bona fide resident of one of the nine qualifying N3 corridor municipalities, with proof of residence
- Able to demonstrate financial need alongside academic ability
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Proof of residence in a qualifying municipality
- Latest academic transcript
- Proof of 2026 registration or acceptance
- Documentation supporting financial need
About N3tc Bursary
N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) is the private company responsible for managing, maintaining and tolling the N3 Toll Route, the major freight and passenger corridor linking Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. As part of its "Touching Lives" corporate social investment programme, N3TC runs the Touching Lives Community Bursary Programme, which funds academically capable, financially needy South African students who live in specific local municipalities along the N3 corridor.
The bursary is a place-based initiative: unlike most corporate bursaries, it is restricted to students who both study in a priority field and reside in one of nine named municipalities that fall along the route, as a way for N3TC to invest directly in the communities affected by the toll road.
Funding Details
Confirmed coverage is tuition fees and mandatory textbooks. N3TC has indicated that other study-related expenses, such as accommodation, may be covered at the company's discretion depending on the student's circumstances and available budget — this is not guaranteed for every recipient.
Where You Can Study
Open to students registered at any accredited South African public university, provided they meet the residency and field-of-study requirements. There is no restriction to a single named university.
About N3 Toll Concession (N3TC)
N3 Toll Concession is a privately owned, single-purpose company that has held a 30-year concession since November 1999, in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), to design, finance, build, ope…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
Applicants must be South African citizens who are already enrolled for their 3rd year, 4th year, or an Honours degree in 2026 in one of the qualifying fields — first- and second-year students are not eligible. Applicants must be able to prove, through an accepted proof of residence, that they live in one of the following N3 corridor municipalities: Alfred Duma, Dipaleseng, iNkosi Langalibalele, Mafube, Maluti-a-Phofung, Mpofana, Okhahlamba, Phumelela, or uMngeni. Both academic capability and financial need are assessed.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the N3TC bursary open for the 2027 academic year?
N3TC had not published 2027 intake dates as of August 2026. The most recently confirmed cycle was for 2026, which closed on Monday, 26 January 2026 at 12:00. Prospective applicants should check the official N3TC website (n3tc.co.za) or its Touching Lives communications closer to the end of 2026 for the next application window.
Can first-year students apply?
No. This bursary is specifically reserved for students already in their 3rd year, 4th year, or an Honours year — it is not an entry-level bursary for matriculants.
Do I need to live in Gauteng or KwaZulu-Natal to qualify?
You need to live in one of the nine specifically listed N3 corridor municipalities (Alfred Duma, Dipaleseng, iNkosi Langalibalele, Mafube, Maluti-a-Phofung, Mpofana, Okhahlamba, Phumelela, uMngeni), which span the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal sections of the route — general residence in either province is not sufficient on its own.
Does the bursary cover accommodation?
Tuition and mandatory textbooks are confirmed. Accommodation and other costs are covered only at N3TC's discretion, so applicants should not assume this is included.
