Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (EATI) Bursary Requirements and Online Application

The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (EATI) Bursary is offered by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in partnership with EATI, aimed at supporting South African students who wish to pursue agricultural studies at EATI in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. 

The bursary helps deserving candidates with financial needs to access full-time study in agriculture or related fields.

EATI was established in 1898 and is the first agricultural training centre in Africa.

The bursary program is part of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s skills-development strategy and supports students studying full-time at EATI toward certain agricultural qualifications.

Which qualifications are eligible?

The bursary supports full-time studies toward the following qualifications at EATI:

1. B.Agric Degree (M +3 years) in fields such as Plant Production, Animal Production, Cellar Technology, Extension, and Plant/Animal Production.
2. Diploma in Agriculture (M +3 years) specialising in Plant Production, Animal Production, Plant & Animal Production, or Cellar Technology.
3. Equine Studies (M +1 years) under the EQASA syllabus.

Who can apply for the EATI Bursary? 

To apply for the 2026 intake, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a South African citizen.
2. Be registered or intend to register full-time at EATI for one of the eligible qualifications.
3. Meet the minimum admission requirements for the chosen qualification at EATI:
   • For the B.Agric: NSC with admission to bachelor’s degree, minimum aggregate 55 % (excluding Life Orientation), minimum Level 4 (50 %) in Afrikaans or English, minimum Level 4 (50 %) in Mathematics or Level 5 (60 %) in Mathematics Literacy, minimum Level 4 (50 %) in Physical Sciences OR Life Sciences OR Agricultural Sciences.
   • For the Diploma: NSC with admission to diploma studies, minimum aggregate 40 % (excluding Life Orientation), minimum Level 3 (40 %) for Afrikaans/English, minimum Level 3 (40 %) for Mathematics or Level 4 (50 %) for Mathematics Literacy, minimum Level 3 (40 %) for Physical Sciences OR Life Sciences OR Agricultural Sciences.
4. Demonstrate financial need, and preference is given to previously disadvantaged students, female applicants, and applicants with disabilities.

What does the bursary cover?

According to available information:

1. The bursary covers tuition, registration fees, prescribed textbooks, and study materials for full-time study.
2. It may also cover hostel accommodation, meals, and protective clothing for certain occupational or skills-development programmes.
3. The bursary includes a service agreement — recipients may not hold more than one bursary with service obligations.

How to apply for the EATI Bursary

Here’s the application process:

1. Download and complete the official Study Bursary Application Form for 2026 from the EATI website. The current form indicates the closing date is 30 September 2026.
2. Gather certified copies of required supporting documents: ID, Matric certificate or latest results, proof of registration or application to EATI, parents/guardians’ proof of income, bank statements, and any other documents stipulated.
3. Submit your application by post or hand delivery to:
   Head: Student Affairs, Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607.
4. Ensure your application is complete and submitted before the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

What the EATI Bursary selection committee will consider

Selection will be based on:

1. Whether the eligibility criteria are fully met (citizenship, qualification registration, academic minimums).
2. Academic merit: past results, admission status, potential to succeed.
3. Financial need: household income and the applicant’s circumstances.
4. Field of study alignment: pursuing agriculture or related disciplines at EATI.
5. Completeness and accuracy of the application and supporting documents.

EATI Bursary Closing Date

Closing date for the 2026 bursary application is 30 September 2026.

Shortlisted applicants may be notified by November of the preceding year. For example, past rounds indicated shortlisted success notifications around November.

Applicants not contacted by late January of the following year should assume their application was unsuccessful.