IDB Education Trust Interest-Free Loan Bursary
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.
Eligible Fields of Study
IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban) supports students in the following disciplines
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
Visit the IDB Education Trust online portal at idb.org.za and open the applications section
- 2
Confirm the current 2026/2027 closing date before applying
- 3
Complete the online application form
- 4
Upload all required supporting documents
- 5
Submit the application before the closing date
- 6
Shortlisted applicants are assessed for academic merit and financial need
- 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.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 15 December 2025
Apply on IDB Education Trust (administered in-house by the IDB Education Trust, Durban)'s official siteNeed 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 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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