The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), the state company that manages the national road network, ran its External Bursary round for the 2027 academic year until 30 September 2026. SANRAL aimed the round at students starting their first year of undergraduate study in 2027, so it suited matrics in the class of 2026.
Four study areas SANRAL funds
- BSc or BEng in civil engineering
- Human resource management
- Public procurement or supply chain management
- Computer science or information systems
SANRAL encourages applicants with disabilities and makes awards in line with its employment equity and transformation policy. The course on your application form must match the course your university or college accepts you for.
The 70% bar and SANRAL’s other rules
- South African citizen under 35
- A 70% overall average for matriculants, and the entry requirements for your chosen course
- Full-time study at an approved South African public institution: SANRAL rules out private universities, part-time study and distance learning
- No other bursary: SANRAL disqualifies applicants who already hold one
SANRAL weighs financial need alongside marks. Its bursary committee considers the agency’s plans and budget when choosing recipients, and its decision is final.
Full versus partial SANRAL packages
A full SANRAL bursary pays registration and tuition, accommodation, study material and equipment, food, a living allowance and access to SANRAL’s wellness plan. A partial bursary pays registration and tuition, accommodation and wellness plan access only. Bursars may also apply for on-the-job training with SANRAL, but the agency states that a bursary does not guarantee a job.
The paperwork behind a SANRAL application
Because SANRAL tests family income, its document list is long. Plan to gather these well before the next round opens:
- A one-page motivation letter explaining who you are and why you want the bursary
- Certified Term 1 and Term 2 school results (or a full academic record if you are already studying) and proof of your tertiary application
- Certified IDs or birth certificates for you and your family, and your parents’ or guardian’s IDs
- A council water and electricity bill in your parent’s or guardian’s name
- Proof of household income no older than three months: payslips, IRP5 or tax returns, business financial statements, or a Department of Labour letter or affidavit if a parent is unemployed
- Where relevant: death certificates, guardianship or foster court papers, divorce or separation documents, marriage certificates and siblings’ proof of registration
Certify copies within three months of submitting. SANRAL checks every application and can cancel a bursary, even after awarding it, if it finds false information. SANRAL also warns that it never charges a fee to apply.
Waiting on SANRAL until 31 January 2027
SANRAL contacts successful applicants only. If you applied for 2027 and have heard nothing by 31 January 2027, SANRAL’s rules say your application did not succeed, and the agency does not give individual feedback. You can apply again in the next round. Details appear on the SANRAL external bursaries page on nra.co.za, and the agency’s main switchboard is 012 844 8000.
If SANRAL turns you down, civil engineering and IT students still have options. Compare the Transnet bursary for engineering and supply chain degrees, or browse the engineering bursary listings for construction and infrastructure funders.
Does SANRAL fund students already at university?
The 2027 round targeted students entering first year in 2027. SANRAL’s document list does mention academic records for applicants at tertiary level, so read the next advert carefully to see which year groups it accepts.