ETHEKWINI MUNICIPAL STUDENTS' RELIEF FUND 2026/2027

STUDENTS' RELIEF FUND 2026/2027

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY – INVITATION TO APPLY

eThekwini Municipality invites qualifying South African citizens who permanently reside within the eThekwini Municipal Area and wish to commence or continue studying towards their first undergraduate qualification at a public higher education institution to apply for financial assistance through the eThekwini Municipality Students' Relief Fund for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The Students' Relief Fund is intended to provide financial assistance to eligible students who have been accepted or are registered for full-time undergraduate studies at recognised public higher education institutions.

Please note that students attending private higher education institutions are not eligible for this funding.

Financial assistance will be awarded based on applicants' academic performance and the Municipality's assessment and selection criteria. The funding is primarily intended to assist with registration fees, and the amount awarded will be determined through the Municipality's assessment process.

Applicants are responsible for applying for admission and securing acceptance at a recognised public higher education institution.

As the Students' Relief Fund does not cover all study-related expenses, applicants are encouraged to explore additional financial assistance opportunities.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a South African citizen.
2. Be a permanent resident within the eThekwini Municipal Area.
3. Be commencing or continuing studies towards their first undergraduate qualification.
4. Have been accepted or be registered at a recognised public higher education institution.
5. Be enrolled in, or accepted for, a full-time study programme.
6. Meet the academic and financial assessment requirements determined by the Municipality.

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION

Priority will be given to eligible applicants from groups that are underrepresented in terms of race, gender and disability, in accordance with the Municipality's applicable selection criteria.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS – COMPULSORY APPLICATION FORM AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

All applicants are required to complete the online application in full and attach the prescribed Students' Relief Fund Application Form, together with all compulsory supporting documents.

THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPULSORY:

1. Complete all mandatory fields: Every compulsory section of the online application must be completed accurately and truthfully.
2. Complete the prescribed Students' Relief Fund Application Form: Applicants must obtain and fully complete the official application form available on the eThekwini Municipality website.
3. Upload all compulsory supporting documents: All documents required for the application must be uploaded and attached to the applicant's online application profile.
4. Ensure document validity and legibility: Documents must be clear, readable, complete, valid and certified where required.
5. Check all attachments before submission: Applicants must confirm that the completed application form and all required supporting documents have been successfully uploaded and are accessible on their application profile.
6. Provide supporting evidence where applicable: Where particular documents or information are not applicable, applicants must follow the relevant application instructions.

WARNING: INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF:

• The prescribed Students' Relief Fund Application Form has not been completed or attached.
• Any compulsory supporting document is missing.
• Mandatory sections of the application have not been completed.
• Required documents are incomplete, illegible or invalid.
• The applicant has not provided the required information or supporting evidence.

IMPORTANT: It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the online application is complete and that ALL compulsory supporting documents are attached before final submission.

Submitting an online application without the required completed application form and supporting documents will result in the application not being considered.

STUDENTS' RELIEF FUND APPLICATION FORM

The prescribed eThekwini Municipality Students' Relief Fund Application Form can be obtained from the official eThekwini Municipality website:

Website: https://www.durban.gov.za/page/jobs

Applicants must obtain, complete and attach the prescribed application form, together with all other compulsory supporting documents, when submitting their online application.

ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

For further information or assistance regarding the eThekwini Municipality Students' Relief Fund 2026/2027, applicants may contact the following officials:

Prince Mthembu
Telephone: 031 322 0413

Wendy Shabalala
Telephone: 031 311 3924

APPLICANT DECLARATION

By submitting an application for the eThekwini Municipality Students' Relief Fund 2026/2027, applicants declare that:

1. All information provided in their application is true, accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.
2. All supporting documents submitted are authentic and accurately represent their circumstances.
3. They have completed the prescribed Students' Relief Fund Application Form and attached all compulsory supporting documents.
4. They understand that incomplete applications, missing documents or false or misleading information may result in their application being disqualified or not considered.
5. They understand that submitting an application does not guarantee financial assistance and that all applications are subject to the Municipality's assessment and approval processes.
6. They acknowledge that their personal information will be processed for purposes relating to the administration, assessment and verification of their application, in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

Applicants must confirm their acceptance of this declaration before submitting their application.

WARNING: INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

APPLICATIONS WITH MISSING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, INCOMPLETE FORMS, BLANK MANDATORY FIELDS OR REQUIRED DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THE STUDENTS' RELIEF FUND.

Applicants are strongly advised to review their entire application and verify that ALL required documents have been attached before clicking the final SUBMIT button.

Submitting an application without the required information and supporting documents may result in the application being disqualified from consideration.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete and that all required documents are submitted before the closing date of 12 FEBRUARY 2027.

NO INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Applicants must submit the following documents, where applicable:

1. Matric Certificate: A copy of the National Senior Certificate (Matric) for applicants who have completed Matric and have not previously studied at a higher education institution.
2. Academic Record: A copy of the academic record for applicants currently studying at a higher education institution.
3. Proof of Income: Proof of income or salary for both parents and/or guardians, such as payslips, employer letters, sworn statements or tax return statements for self-employed parents or guardians.
4. Household Income: The advertisement specifies a combined parental or guardian income of R160,000 and two or more students in the household, with a cut-off of R200,000.
5. Proof of Unemployment: Official proof from the Department of Labour where parents or guardians are unemployed.
6. Applicant's Identification: Certified copy of the applicant's South African Identity Document.
7. Parents' or Guardians' Identification: Copies of parents' or guardians' Identity Documents or death certificates, where applicable.
8. Acceptance Letter: An acceptance letter from a public higher education institution.
9. Financial Statement: A financial statement from the higher education institution.
10. Motivation Letter: A written motivation explaining why the applicant should be considered for financial assistance.
11. Proof of Residence: Proof of residence reflecting the applicant's name.REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
12. Applicants must submit the following documents, where applicable:
13. Matric Certificate: A copy of the National Senior Certificate (Matric) for applicants who have completed Matric and have not previously studied at a higher education institution.
14. Academic Record: A copy of the academic record for applicants currently studying at a higher education institution.
15. Proof of Income: Proof of income or salary for both parents and/or guardians, such as payslips, employer letters, sworn statements or tax return statements for self-employed parents or guardians.
16. Household Income: The advertisement specifies a combined parental or guardian income of R160,000 and two or more students in the household, with a cut-off of R200,000.
17. Proof of Unemployment: Official proof from the Department of Labour where parents or guardians are unemployed.
18. Applicant's Identification: Certified copy of the applicant's South African Identity Document.
19. Parents' or Guardians' Identification: Copies of parents' or guardians' Identity Documents or death certificates, where applicable.
20. Acceptance Letter: An acceptance letter from a public higher education institution.
21. Financial Statement: A financial statement from the higher education institution.
22. Motivation Letter: A written motivation explaining why the applicant should be considered for financial assistance.
23. Proof of Residence: Proof of residence reflecting the applicant's name.