Who qualifies for the Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) Scholarship?

It is open to South African citizens who are paid-up members of one of ten participating trade unions (DENOSA, NATU, NEHAWU, NUM, PEU, POPCRU, SACCAWU, SACWU, SADTU, SASBO), as well as the legal spouse or child-dependant (under 25 and solely financially supported) of such a member. Applicants must be pursuing their first undergraduate qualification at an accredited South African public university.

Is this the same as the main Old Mutual bursary?

No. The OMET Scholarship is distinct from Old Mutual's actuarial and chartered accounting bursaries. OMET is a partial, needs-based scholarship reserved exclusively for trade-union members and their dependants, is open to any field of study, has its own application window and portal, and carries no work-back obligation.

How much does the scholarship pay and what does it cover?

It is a partial bursary of approximately R70,000-R77,000 per student per academic year (the official Old Mutual page states R77,000), covering study-related expenses such as registration, tuition, books, study materials, accommodation and meals. Recipients also get a laptop, a dedicated Student Support Practitioner, counselling, tutoring and vacation-work opportunities.

When do applications open and close?

Applications open annually on 1 July and close on 31 August (1 July - 31 August 2026 for the 2026 cycle). Selection takes place 7-9 October 2026, the Trust Board approves awards in November 2026, and successful applicants are notified shortly afterwards. The online registration link may update to a new variant when the cycle opens, so confirm the live portal at application time.

General Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) (Old Mutual; established April 2005 via a B-BBEE transaction with ten participating trade unions; administered in-house by Old Mutual, with the Trust Board granting final approval)

Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) Scholarship

The Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) Scholarship is a partial bursary for paid-up members of ten participating South African trade unions, and the spouses and child-dependants of those members, who are studying towards a first undergraduate qualification at an accredited public university. It provides roughly R70,000-R77,000 per year toward study costs plus wraparound support including a dedicated Student Support Practitioner, a laptop, counselling, tutoring and vacation work. Around 60 scholarships are awarded each year, and the programme has produced more than 550 graduates since 2005.

Amount:

Partial funding of approximately R70,000-R77,000 per student per academic year (official Old Mutual page states R77,000) toward registration, tuition, books, study materials, accommodation and meals

Deadline:

31 August 2026

Renewable:

Yes

Apply on Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) (Old Mutual; established April 2005 via a B-BBEE transaction with ten participating trade unions; administered in-house by Old Mutual, with the Trust Board granting final approval)'s site

Eligible Fields of Study

Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) (Old Mutual; established April 2005 via a B-BBEE transaction with ten participating trade unions; administered in-house by Old Mutual, with the Trust Board granting final approval) supports students in the following disciplines

Any field of study (open to first undergraduate qualifications - certificate, diploma or bachelor's degree - across all disciplines at South African public universities)

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Must be a paid-up member of one of the ten participating trade unions (DENOSA, NATU, NEHAWU, NUM, PEU, POPCRU, SACCAWU, SACWU, SADTU, SASBO), OR the legal spouse or child-dependant (under age 25 and solely financially supported) of such a member
✓ Completed Matric or currently in Grade 12 (matriculants / Grade 12 applicants receive preference)
✓ Pursuing a FIRST undergraduate qualification only (certificate, diploma or bachelor's degree) - no postgraduate study
✓ Must study, or intend to study, at an accredited South African public university
✓ Funding is needs-based, prioritising members and dependants who require financial support to study

What's Included

✓ Partial funding (~R70,000-R77,000 per year) toward study-related costs
✓ Dedicated Student Support Practitioner (SSP) for academic and personal support
✓ Laptop provision
✓ Mental health and counselling services
✓ Academic support including webinars, tutoring and resources
✓ Vacation work opportunities for final-year students
✓ 12-month internship for unemployed graduates (subject to availability)

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) (Old Mutual; established April 2005 via a B-BBEE transaction with ten participating trade unions; administered in-house by Old Mutual, with the Trust Board granting final approval) bursary application

1
Confirm you (or the member you are a dependant of) is a paid-up member of one of the ten participating trade unions: DENOSA, NATU, NEHAWU, NUM, PEU, POPCRU, SACCAWU, SACWU, SADTU or SASBO
2
New applicants register for an account on the OMET online application portal (webportalapp.com) once the cycle opens on 1 July
3
Complete the online OMET application form in full and upload all supporting documents
4
Submit your application before the 31 August closing date
5
Selection takes place 7-9 October 2026, with Trust Board approval in November 2026
6
Successful applicants are notified shortly after Trust Board approval

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of your South African ID
📄 Proof of trade-union membership for the qualifying member (and proof of the dependant relationship - e.g. birth or marriage certificate - if applying as a spouse or child-dependant)
📄 Certified Matric certificate or latest Grade 12 results
📄 Latest academic record or university transcript (if currently studying)
📄 Proof of acceptance, registration or intended study at an accredited South African public university
📄 Proof of household income or financial need
📄 Motivational letter

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for the Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) Scholarship?: It is open to South African citizens who are paid-up members of one of ten participating trade unions (DENOSA, NATU, NEHAWU, NUM, PEU, POPCRU, SACCAWU, SACWU, SADTU, SASBO), as well as the legal spouse or child-dependant (under 25 and solely financially supported) of such a member. Applicants must be pursuing their first undergraduate qualification at an accredited South African public university.
Is this the same as the main Old Mutual bursary?: No. The OMET Scholarship is distinct from Old Mutual's actuarial and chartered accounting bursaries. OMET is a partial, needs-based scholarship reserved exclusively for trade-union members and their dependants, is open to any field of study, has its own application window and portal, and carries no work-back obligation.
How much does the scholarship pay and what does it cover?: It is a partial bursary of approximately R70,000-R77,000 per student per academic year (the official Old Mutual page states R77,000), covering study-related expenses such as registration, tuition, books, study materials, accommodation and meals. Recipients also get a laptop, a dedicated Student Support Practitioner, counselling, tutoring and vacation-work opportunities.
When do applications open and close?: Applications open annually on 1 July and close on 31 August (1 July - 31 August 2026 for the 2026 cycle). Selection takes place 7-9 October 2026, the Trust Board approves awards in November 2026, and successful applicants are notified shortly afterwards. The online registration link may update to a new variant when the cycle opens, so confirm the live portal at application time.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 31 August 2026

Need help? Contact Old Mutual Education Trust (OMET) (Old Mutual; established April 2005 via a B-BBEE transaction with ten participating trade unions; administered in-house by Old Mutual, with the Trust Board granting final approval):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 067 125 1404 / 073 683 3009

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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