By Lebone Rodah Mosima
eThekwini Municipality has opened applications for its 2026 Student Relief Fund for first-time undergraduate students who have been accepted at public universities or TVET colleges but lack financial assistance, it said on Friday.
Applications close on January 16, 2026.
The fund covers registration fees and may provide limited support towards tuition, but excludes accommodation, meals, books, transport and other related costs.
Applicants must be South African citizens permanently residing within eThekwini (proof of residence is required) and have a household income below R200,000 per year, of which proof is also required.
Applicants must meet the academic requirements for their chosen programme. Students enrolled at UNISA may be considered if they are not currently employed, the municipality said.
How to apply
Application forms can be collected from Sizakala Centres with Human Resources Centre of Excellence offices, or from the EMA offices on the 4th Floor, Standard Bank Building, 26 Matthews Meyiwa Street.
Completed forms must be submitted with proof of admission or study from a public university or TVET college, academic results, student and parent/guardian ID documents, proof of income or an affidavit, and proof of residence.
Incomplete applications will not be considered, the municipality said.
Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Centre of Excellence, 21 Archie Gumede Street, Durban, 4001, or to Sizakala Centres with HR Centre of Excellence offices, it said.
The municipality said priority would be given to applicants who are underrepresented in terms of race, gender and disability, and encouraged students with disabilities to apply.
Applicants who are not contacted within 10 weeks of the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful, it said.
For more information, the municipality said applicants can call 031 311 3924 or 031 322 0413.
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