The Gauteng City-Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary is an annual South African government bursary funded by the Gauteng Department of Education to support young learners with tertiary studies. It helps Gauteng students cover essential study costs while building a skilled workforce for the province.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the GCRA Bursary, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
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Be a South African citizen.
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Reside in the Gauteng province.
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Be between 18 and 35 years old.
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Have completed Matric and be registered or accepted for undergraduate or postgraduate studies in 2026 at a recognised South African institution.
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Studying fields aligned with the Gauteng Growth & Transformation Plan (GGT2030) may improve chances (e.g., IT, Engineering, Finance, Transport, Tourism, Hospitality, Civil works, Art & Design).
Top performer exceptions:
Certain students automatically qualify if they are:
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Top achievers at a Gauteng school.
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Among the Top 3 learners from no-fee schools.
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Among the Top 3 learners from LSEN schools.
What Does the Bursary Cover?
The GCRA Bursary helps fund:
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Registration and tuition fees.
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Accommodation costs — up to R65,000 for on-campus residence or R47,000 for off-campus housing.
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Books and study materials.
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Laptop allowance.
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Living allowance (for students in private/off-campus accommodation).
Shortlisted applicants are usually contacted within 3–4 weeks after the closing date.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the official GCRA bursary portal. Here’s what the process looks like:
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1. Register an account on the GCRA Bursary portal.
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2. Complete your personal and contact details, including Matric results and guardian info.
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3. Upload certified supporting documents.
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4. Agree to the terms and conditions and submit before the closing date.
Required Documents
Prepare clear certified copies of:
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South African ID document.
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Matric certificate or latest academic record.
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Proof of acceptance/registration at a recognised tertiary institution.
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Proof of Gauteng residence (e.g., utility bill).
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Motivation letter (max 2 pages).
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Parent/guardian income proof.
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Disability or medical reports (if applicable).
Missing documents may disqualify your application.
Closing Date
28 February 2026 — Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
Contact Information
For help or questions:
New bursary enquiries: gdeinfo@gauteng.gov.za / 0800 000 789 / 011 355 0000.
Renewal queries: Bursaries.Gcra@gauteng.gov.za.