Compensation Fund (COID) Bursary 2026

About the Provider

The Compensation Fund is a statutory body within the Department of Employment and Labour in South Africa. Its primary function is to provide compensation to workers who are injured, contract diseases, or become disabled while performing their work duties, as well as to the dependants of workers who die from work-related injuries or diseases. The Fund operates under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) and processes hundreds of thousands of claims annually.

Beyond direct financial compensation for injuries, the Compensation Fund recognises that many permanently disabled workers need more than a monthly pension — they need the opportunity to rebuild their careers through education and retraining. Similarly, the children and dependants of severely injured or deceased workers often face financial barriers to education that would not exist if their parent or guardian had not been injured on the job.

To address both of these needs, the Compensation Fund runs an external bursary scheme that funds education for injured workers seeking to re-enter the workforce and for the dependants of COID beneficiaries who want to pursue tertiary qualifications. This programme represents the Fund's commitment to rehabilitation, not just compensation — helping affected families break the cycle of poverty that workplace injuries can create.

About the Program

The Compensation Fund Bursary Scheme provides educational funding to two distinct groups of beneficiaries connected to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) system.

Group 1: Unemployed COID beneficiaries who have a permanent disablement resulting from occupational injuries or diseases. These bursaries fund studies towards programmes that will enable beneficiaries to be reintegrated into the workplace or become self-employed. The goal is rehabilitation through education — helping injured workers acquire new skills that accommodate their disability and allow them to earn a living again.

Group 2: Dependants of COID beneficiaries who have a permanent disablement, or dependants of workers who were fatally injured on the job. These bursaries support the children and dependants of injured or deceased workers, aged 17 to 35, to pursue tertiary qualifications.

The bursary covers tuition fees, prescribed study materials, accommodation and a monthly stipend. It is awarded for one academic year at a time and is renewable for the full duration of the qualification, subject to satisfactory academic performance and availability of funds. This means students can be supported from first year through to graduation if they maintain their grades.

Students can study at any recognised TVET College, Community Education and Training (CET) College, or Higher Education Institution in South Africa. The programme is not restricted to specific fields of study for Group 2 applicants, though Group 1 applicants must pursue qualifications that support their return to employment or self-employment.

Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly. If you do not receive feedback within 2 months of the closing date, your application was unsuccessful.

Bursary Benefits

• Tuition fees fully covered at your chosen institution
• Prescribed study materials including textbooks and learning resources
• Accommodation support for the duration of your studies
• Monthly stipend for living expenses
• Renewable annually for the full duration of your qualification (subject to academic performance)
• Flexible institution choice — study at any recognised TVET College, CET College or Higher Education Institution in South Africa
• Rehabilitation pathway (Group 1) — structured support to help injured workers return to employment or self-employment through education

Eligibility Criteria

Group 1 (Injured workers):

• Must be a South African citizen
• Must be currently unemployed
• Must be of working age
• Must be a COID beneficiary with a permanent disablement resulting from occupational injuries or diseases
• Must be studying or intending to study a qualification that supports return to work or self-employment
• Must have been accepted at a recognised TVET College, CET College or Higher Education Institution

Group 2 (Dependants):

• Must be a South African citizen
• Must be between 17 and 35 years old
• Must be a dependant of a COID beneficiary with permanent disablement OR a dependant of a fatally injured employee
• Must be studying or enrolled to study at a recognised TVET College, CET College or Higher Education Institution
• Must have been accepted at the institution

Required Documents

Group 1 documents:

• ID document (certified copy)
• COID pension number or claim number
• Latest academic transcript (if currently studying)
• Proof of acceptance from an approved institution
• Tuition fees quotation (where applicable)
• Prescribed learning resources quotation on institution letterhead (if available)
• Proof of residence
• Proof of disability (verification by a Health Care Professional or Disability Support Office)

Group 2 documents:

• ID document (certified copy)
• ID document or unabridged birth certificate showing details of the COID beneficiary (certified copy)
• Parents/guardians ID documents (certified copy) or death certificates if deceased (certified copy)
• COID pension number or claim number
• Matric June results (if currently in Matric)
• Latest academic transcript (if currently studying)
• Proof of acceptance from an approved institution
• Tuition fees quotation (where applicable)
• Prescribed learning resources quotation on institution letterhead (if available)
• Proof of residence
• Proof of disability if applicable
• Pre-entry assessment (if applying for apprenticeship programme)
• Proof of income (payslip, affidavit, SASSA grant proof, pension proof, or other)

How to Apply

1. Determine which group you fall into — Group 1 (unemployed COID beneficiary with permanent disablement) or Group 2 (dependant of a COID beneficiary or fatally injured worker).
2. Download the official application form from the Department of Labour website (PDF format).
3. Complete the application form in full. Do not leave any sections blank.
4. Gather all required supporting documents for your group. Ensure certified copies are clear and legible.
5. Obtain your COID pension number or claim number — this is mandatory for both groups.
6. Get proof of acceptance from your chosen TVET College, CET College or Higher Education Institution.
7. Submit your completed application via email to CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za with the subject line "COID Bursary 2026", OR hand-deliver to Compensation House, Cnr Hamilton and Soutpansberg Rd, Prinshof, Pretoria.
8. Submit before the deadline of 31 March 2026. Late applications are not accepted.
9. Wait for feedback — shortlisted candidates are contacted. If you hear nothing within 2 months, your application was unsuccessful.

Tips for Success

• Get your COID number first. You cannot apply without your COID pension number or claim number. If you do not know it, contact the Compensation Fund well before the deadline.
• Secure your acceptance letter early. You need proof of acceptance from your chosen institution before you can apply for the bursary.
• Certify all documents properly. Certified copies must be stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths (police station or attorney). Uncertified copies will disqualify your application.
• Use the correct email subject line. If submitting by email, your subject line must read "COID Bursary 2026" exactly. Incorrect subject lines may cause your application to be missed.
• Include every document listed for your group. Missing documents lead to automatic disqualification. Use the checklist above and tick off each item before submitting.
• Apply well before the deadline. The closing date is firm. Email submissions on the last day risk being timestamped after midnight.
• Keep copies of everything you submit. If your application is lost or there is a query, you need to be able to resubmit quickly.
• If you are Group 1, choose a practical qualification. The bursary is designed to help you return to work. Choose a programme that leads directly to employment or self-employment opportunities that accommodate your disability.

Career Prospects

Career outcomes depend on the qualification pursued and the individual's circumstances.

For Group 1 beneficiaries (injured workers), the bursary is designed to fund retraining into a new career that accommodates their disability. This might mean moving from a physically demanding role into administration, IT, bookkeeping, project management, counselling, or entrepreneurship. The goal is economic independence — either through re-employment or self-employment.

For Group 2 beneficiaries (dependants), career paths are as broad as the qualifications available at South African tertiary institutions. Students can pursue engineering, healthcare, business, education, IT, agriculture, law, social work, or any other field offered at their chosen institution. The bursary removes the financial barrier that might otherwise prevent the children of injured or deceased workers from accessing higher education.

Both groups benefit from the fact that South African employers increasingly value candidates who have overcome adversity and demonstrated resilience. The Compensation Fund bursary provides not just funding but a story of determination that resonates with employers across sectors.

TVET College graduates enter trades and technical roles that are in high demand across construction, manufacturing, automotive, hospitality and healthcare. University graduates enter professional roles in their chosen fields. The key advantage is graduating debt-free with a qualification that opens doors to stable employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for this bursary?

Two groups: (1) unemployed workers with permanent disablement from occupational injuries/diseases, and (2) dependants aged 17–35 of permanently disabled or fatally injured workers.

What does the bursary cover?

Tuition fees, study materials, accommodation and a monthly stipend.

Is the bursary renewable?

Yes — renewed annually for the full duration of your qualification, subject to satisfactory academic performance and fund availability.

Where can I study?

Any recognised TVET College, CET College or Higher Education Institution in South Africa.

What is a COID pension/claim number?

This is the reference number assigned to your Compensation Fund claim. You need this to apply. Contact the Compensation Fund if you do not know your number.

How do I submit my application?

Either email to CFexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za with subject line "COID Bursary 2026", or hand-deliver to Compensation House in Pretoria.

When do applications close?

The deadline was 31 March 2026. Late applications are not accepted.

How will I know if I was successful?

Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly. If you do not hear back within 2 months of the closing date, your application was unsuccessful.

Can Group 2 applicants study any field?

Yes — Group 2 is not restricted to specific fields. Other qualifications may also be considered.

Applications Closing

Applications closed on 31 March 2026. Check back for the next application cycle.

About the Organization

Tel: 012 319 9264 / 012 319 5774 / 012 319 9124 Email: cfexternalbursaries@labour.gov.za Hand delivery: Compensation House, Cnr Hamilton and Soutpansberg Rd, Prinshof, Pretoria