The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) invites eligible applicants to apply for its bursary programme, for the 2026 academic year.
PSIRA Bursary Programme 2026 – Financial Aid for Security Officers and Their Dependants
The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) invites eligible applicants from the South African private security sector to apply for the PSIRA Bursary Programme 2026. This bursary provides financial assistance for tertiary studies to registered security officers and their legal children who have been accepted at accredited higher education institutions across South Africa.
This funding opportunity forms part of PSIRA’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative aimed at skills development and educational empowerment within the security industry.
PSIRA Bursary 2026: Key Information
- Academic Year Funded: 2026
- Funding Type: Tuition fee assistance
- Study Level: Certificate, Diploma, and Undergraduate Degree
- Study Mode: Full-time
- Institution Requirement: Must be accredited and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
Previously Funded Students
Applicants who have previously received PSIRA funding must reapply for the 2026 academic year and submit:
- Latest academic results
- An official statement indicating the outstanding balance for the new academic year
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the PSIRA Bursary Programme 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The applicant must be:
- Employed in the private security sector, or
- A legal child of a parent registered with PSIRA as a security officer
- Both the learner and the parent/guardian must be South African citizens
- The learner must be between 19 and 35 years old
- The learner must have completed Grade 12
- The learner must be accepted or registered at a DHET-accredited institution
- Applications are open to candidates from all nine provinces in South Africa
SEE ALSO: Rand Refinery Bursary 2026
What the PSIRA Bursary Covers
Financial Coverage
PSIRA will fund tuition fees only for successful applicants.
Maximum Funding Amounts
- Up to R25,000 (VAT inclusive) per year For learners enrolled in certificate programmes at TVET colleges
- Up to R45,000 (VAT inclusive) per year For learners pursuing undergraduate diplomas or degrees
Exclusions
- Postgraduate studies are not funded
- Accommodation, textbooks, transport, and living expenses are not covered
Duration of Funding
- The bursary is awarded for one academic year (12 months) only
- Continued funding is not automatic and requires reapplication
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents to be considered:
- A fully completed PSIRA bursary application form
- Certified copies of South African IDs of the learner and legal parent/guardian (Certification must be within the last 3 months)
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a registered institution for the 2026 academic year
- PSIRA registration number of the parent/guardian
- Employer details of the registered security officer
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How to Apply
Click here to apply online for the PSIRA Bursary Programme 2026