SAAFoST Bursary Offers Up to R60,000 a Year for Food Science Study
The SAAFoST Bursary supports eligible matric learners entering food science or food technology studies in 2027.
Table of Contents
SAAFoST Bursary 2027: Overview
This guide to the SAAFoST Bursary 2027 covers the published opportunity, eligibility and application steps.
Matric learners planning food science or food technology studies can apply for tuition assistance through the SAAFoST Foundation. Applications close on 30 October 2026.
Funding and Eligibility
The award pays actual tuition charges up to R60,000 per year, directly to the institution in two instalments. Continued payment depends on satisfactory progress. Applicants must be South African citizens resident in the country for at least three years, entering a full-time first food science or technology degree or diploma at a South African tertiary institution. Mathematics and Physical Science require at least achievement level 5; Life Science is recommended.
Documents and Submission
Complete the official form and email it to mdo@saafost.org.za. Attach a passport-style photograph, certified ID or South African passport, certified Grade 11 final and latest Grade 12 results, a personal statement of no more than one A4 page, and a character reference from someone who has known you in a learning capacity for at least three years.
Conditions to Understand
Recipients must join and remain active in SAAFoST, submit progress reports and complete their programme within the stipulated period. Failure, interruption or an unapproved course change can trigger conversion of the award into a repayable loan. Read the contract carefully.
Prepare a Strong Application
Use your statement to explain a specific interest in food science. You could discuss a question about food quality, processing or safety that you would like to investigate. Give your referee enough time to prepare a thoughtful letter, and check that every scan is legible before sending. Keep the completed application and sent email together for your records.
Application Planning: Your Statement and Study Budget
The suggestions below are editorial guidance, not additional SAAFoST selection rules.
Give your motivation a clear structure
Start with the aspect of food science that genuinely interests you. Then connect that interest to something you have studied, observed or done. A school science investigation, an experience of food waste at home, or a question about how food is preserved could provide a starting point if it is part of your own experience. Explain what you hope to learn and how that learning could contribute to a practical problem. Specific, honest examples are more useful than a list of impressive-sounding ambitions.
Do not claim laboratory experience you have not had. If you are still exploring the field, describe the question you want to understand. Ask someone you trust to read your statement for clarity while keeping the final wording your own.
Plan for the amount you may need beyond tuition
Create separate budget lines for fees, accommodation, meals, transport, equipment and personal expenses. Compare the tuition line with the advertised maximum, then mark the other lines as costs needing a separate plan. Ask your chosen institution for a current fee estimate rather than using a previous student’s figures. This exercise can help your family identify a funding gap before registration decisions become urgent.
Help your referee prepare
Share the official instructions, your intended course and a short reminder of the work you completed with them. Ask early and leave time to check that the letter is included in your final application pack.
SAAFoST Bursary 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
Does it pay all living costs?
The published package specifies tuition assistance. Do not budget for unlisted living support.
Should I wait for the bursary before applying to university?
No. The application form tells learners to arrange university and residence applications separately.
How should I prepare my files?
Open each scan before submitting, check that all pages are readable, and use filenames that make the document type easy to identify.
What should I keep after applying?
Keep your completed application, supporting files and any submission acknowledgement together. These records can help if you need to follow up.
View Official Application Instructions
Official Sources
Official sources checked on 16 October 2026 (Africa/Harare). Check the provider’s instructions again before submitting.
