General

IDB Education Trust Interest-Free Loan Bursary

IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban)

The IDB Education Trust offers an interest-free (Qard Hasan) loan bursary to financially needy Muslim South African students studying at recognised South African universities. The loan covers tuition fees (some sources also cite a monthly allowance) and is repaid after completing studies. Recipients also benefit from the Trust's tarbiyyah (student development) programmes, events and courses.

Amount
Interest-free (Qard Hasan) loan covering tuition fees (some sources also cite a monthly allowance); repayable after completing studies over a period equal to the time taken to complete the qualification
Deadline
To be announced
Renewable
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban) supports students in the following disciplines

Engineering
Medicine
Pharmacy
Dentistry
Veterinary Science
Public Health
Agriculture
Forestry
Fisheries
Food Technology
Computer Science
Communication & Media
All other disciplines (not field-restricted)

Eligibility Requirements

  • ✓ South African citizen
  • ✓ Muslim student (faith-based programme)
  • ✓ Enrolled or intending to enrol at a recognised South African university
  • ✓ Strong academic record
  • ✓ Demonstrated financial need (preference given to financially needy applicants)
  • ✓ Preference given to first-year students
  • ✓ Must agree to attend all tarbiyyah programmes, events and courses hosted by the Trust
  • ✓ Must agree to repay the interest-free loan after completing studies

What's Included

  • ✓ Interest-free (Qard Hasan) loan toward tuition fees
  • ✓ Possible monthly allowance (per some sources)
  • ✓ Annual renewal for continuing students in good standing
  • ✓ Access to student development / tarbiyyah programmes, events and courses
  • ✓ Repayment only required after studies are completed

Work Commitment

No work-back obligation. The funding is structured as an interest-free loan that must be repaid after completing studies over a period equal to the time taken to complete the qualification.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban) bursary application

  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

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
  • 📄 Latest academic transcript or matric results
  • 📄 Proof of university registration or acceptance
  • 📄 Proof of household income / financial need
  • 📄 Motivational letter
  • 📄 Certified supporting documents as requested on the portal

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.

When do 2027 applications open?

IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.

The last recorded window closed on 15 December 2025. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban) before you rely on them.

Check IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban)'s official site

Need help? Contact IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 031 207 3871 (WhatsApp +27 82 904 0645)

Information verified 2025-12-15. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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