IDB Education Trust Interest-Free Loan Bursary

1. 1

   Visit the IDB Education Trust online portal at idb.org.za and open the applications section

2. 2

   Confirm the current 2026/2027 closing date before applying

3. 3

   Complete the online application form

4. 4

   Upload all required supporting documents

5. 5

   Submit the application before the closing date

6. 6

   Shortlisted applicants are assessed for academic merit and financial need

7. 7

   Successful applicants agree to the loan repayment terms and to attend the Trust's tarbiyyah programmes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IDB Education Trust bursary a grant or a loan?

It is an interest-free (Qard Hasan) loan, not a non-repayable grant. It covers tuition fees and must be repaid after you complete your studies, over a period equal to the time it took to complete your qualification.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be Muslim South African citizens with a strong academic record who are enrolled or intending to enrol at a recognised South African university. Preference is given to first-year students and to financially needy applicants.

Which fields of study are funded?

The Trust supports a wide range of disciplines including engineering, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary science, public health, agriculture, food technology, computer science and communication, and is generally not strictly field-restricted.

What is the application deadline?

Applications open ahead of each academic year. An older official notice cited a 15 December cut-off, but you should confirm the current 2026/2027 closing date on idb.org.za before applying.