SANZAF bursary application 2026: All you need to know

The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) is dedicated to supporting students in achieving their educational goals by providing financial assistance to those in need. Whether you are in financial need or require support for your studies, the SANZAF bursary application for 2026 may be your opportunity to pursue your academic dreams.

Key takeaways

• SANZAF is a faith-based organization focused on supporting the social and educational well-being of underprivileged families in South Africa.
• Applicants must meet the minimum SANZAF bursary requirements to qualify for financial aid.
• Apply online for the SANZAF bursary for 2025 or 2026 if you are a student from an eligible province.

What is the SANZAF bursary all about?

The faith-based organization is dedicated to the social and educational well-being of underprivileged families in South Africa. It helps the Islamic community by collecting and distributing Sadaqat and Zakah.

SANZAF follows Muslim law, Sharia, which specifies eight groups of people who should receive Zakah. They include the poor, the needy, the reverts, the ones in debt, those in bondage, the wayfarers, the ones striving in the ways of Allah, and the Zakah overseers.

Read also

Metro Police application forms 2024: All you need to apply

The SANZAF Zakah bursary program is meant for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford to pay for tertiary learning. All students needing the funds are supposed to make an online bursary application. Remember that SANZAF will not cater to your school registration money. Therefore, you have to make arrangements to clear it.

SANZAF bursary application 2026

You are required to understand the terms and conditions and the rules specified. Only those students who meet the minimum SANZAF bursary requirements are eligible to receive educational financial aid.

The following are mandatory qualifications for you to make it in your application:

• You should be a valid citizen of South Africa or have a study permit if you are from another country.
• You must provide proof of financial need.
• You must be a resident of the province in which you are making the application. The various regions include Kimberly, Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Durban, Gauteng, East London, Western Cape, and Port Elizabeth.
• You should have been previously disadvantaged.
• The student should have plans to study or be currently studying at a University, Technikon in South Africa, or the University of Technology.

Read also

Bonalesedi Nursing College: fees, courses, address, contact details

The student should be among any of the following three groups:

• Studying at a tertiary institution at the moment and received SANZAF sponsorship the preceding year.
• Currently in Matric.
• Studying in a tertiary institution at the moment, and was sponsored by a guardian or yourself the prior year.

SANZAF bursary application process

Students from various provinces are required to apply online by filling out the SANZAF bursary application forms for 2025 or 2026. SANZAF bursary application forms can be found in the following regions. Apply in your respective region.

• Durban
• East London
• Gauteng
• Kimberley
• Ladysmith
• Pietermaritzburg
• Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha
• Western Cape

Follow the steps below to make your application.

1. Go to the official South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) website.
2. Choose your regions, such as East London, Port Elizabeth, or the Western Cape, where applications are currently open.
3. If you select the East London region, for example, click on the "East London Bursary Application Form."
4. You will be redirected to a new page. Agree to the "Terms and Conditions" and then click "Next."
5. Carefully read the instructions and choose your application type.
6. Upload all the necessary documents and click "Next."
7. Complete the application form with the required information and click "Next" to continue.
8. Follow the final steps to complete and submit your application.

Read also

How students could access financial assistance for higher education in South Africa?

Which documents must be submitted?

You must submit your application form along with the requested supporting documents when you have completed it. Before submission, you must ensure all required documents are in a single PDF file.

Remember to attach all the requested details to avoid having unsuccessful applications. The following is the information required for the different categories of students. Tertiary students who SANZAF is currently sponsoring are required to submit the following:

• The final results for the Matric or the certificate
• Mid-year tertiary results for the current year
• Provide proof of revenue from your guardian, parent, or spouse.

Current matric students should submit the following:

• An authenticated copy of an ID or study permit for foreign nationals
• Most recent Matric results
• Reason for the bursary in a motivational letter
• Endorsement documents
• Provide proof of revenue from your guardian, parent, or spouse.

Tertiary students whom SANZAF has not sponsored in the past are supposed to submit the following:

Read also

How to write a motivational letter for a bursary (samples included)

• An authenticated copy of ID or study permit for foreign nationals
• The final results for Matric or the certificate
• All academic records for tertiary learning
• Reason for bursary in a motivational letter
• Endorsement documents
• Provide proof of revenue from your guardian, parent, or spouse.

What does the SANZAF bursary cover?

The SANZAF bursary offers financial relief to students by covering essential educational costs. The bursary may cover:

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees
• Study materials such as textbooks and lab equipment
• In some cases, a contribution towards accommodation or travel expenses

The bursary amount depends on the student's financial needs and the budget SANZAF has allocated for the year. As a non-profit, SANZAF raises funds through zakat donations, so the availability of funds may vary annually.

When are the SANZAF bursary opening and closing dates?

The closing date for the SANZAF bursary application varies each year. The table below shows the opening and closing dates for the SANZAF bursary in various regions.

Read also

A-Z list of bursaries for private colleges in South Africa in 2024

SANZAF bursary status check

• To find out if your SANZAF bursary application was successful, you'll need to check your application profile on the SANZAF website.
• Log in with your email and password
• Once logged in, you should be able to see the status of your application. SANZAF will update the profile with the outcome of your application
• Successful applicants will typically receive a "Confirmation of Pledge" letter. If your application was not successful, you may also find details or feedback in your profile
• If you are unable to see any updates, then check your email inbox, as SANZAF may also communicate the results through email
• If everything else fails, then contact your regional emails through the details listed below

Read also

How to upload documents on NSFAS in 2025: easy-to-follow guide

SANZAF bursary contact details

Here are the contact details for each of their regional offices:

East London

Location: 53B Union Street, Central East London 5201

Tel No: 043 -722 7453

Fax No: 043- 722 7453

Email: eastlondon@sanzaf.org.za

Gqeberha

Location: Al Ansar Building, Bell Road, Gelvandale, 6020

Tel No: 0414571459, F: 0862265727

Email: portelizabeth@sanzaf.org.za

Uitenhage

Location: 60 Van Der Riet Street, Uitenhage, 2029

Tel No: 041 922 6626

Email: portelizabeth@sanzaf.org.za

Is SANZAF only for Muslims?

A common question about SANZAF is whether its bursary program is exclusively for Muslim students. No, SANZAF is not exclusive to Muslims. The bursary is open to students from all backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria.

What happens after the submission of the application?

The SANZAF bursary program committee will scrutinize the applications to find potential beneficiaries. Those shortlisted will be notified via email when to go for interviews and the venue. Successful applicants will be notified using a Confirmation of Pledge Letter.

Read also

SASSA grant online application 2024: How to apply for Social Relief of Distress

Does SANZAF have a WhatsApp number?

SANZAF does not publicly list a dedicated WhatsApp number for general inquiries. However, you can contact them through the details listed above.

The SANZAF bursary application for 2026 is an excellent opportunity for financially disadvantaged students to receive support in pursuing their academic dreams. By meeting the SANZAF bursary requirements and submitting a well-prepared application form, you could receive financial aid that covers a range of essential educational expenses.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.

Briefly.co.za recently published an article about the SETA bursary application. SETA stands for Sector Education and Training Authority in South Africa. The country has various SETAs that facilitate skills development within specific economic sectors.

The education sector offers bursaries to help South Africans pursue higher education. Learn about the SETA bursary application process today.

Source: Briefly News