DAFI Scholarship 2026: Requirements, Funding and How Refugees Can Apply

Application status: Extended deadline — 31 October 2026

The closing date for the DAFI Scholarship special 2026 intake has reportedly been extended to 31 October 2026. Eligible refugee students who have not yet applied should review the requirements and submit their applications through the official DAFI Online Platform.

Important: Applications submitted outside the official DAFI platform will not be considered. Confirm the extended deadline and current application link directly with StudyTrust before submitting.

Access to university can be difficult when financial resources are limited, particularly for young refugees rebuilding their lives in a new country. The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative, known as the DAFI Scholarship Programme, helps eligible refugees access higher education in their country of asylum.

In South Africa, the programme is administered by StudyTrust in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It supports academically capable refugee students who have the potential to complete their studies and contribute to their communities.

The scholarship is different from many other South African bursaries because applicants must meet specific refugee-status requirements. It is not a general funding opportunity open to every South African citizen or international student.

Application status: The special 2026 intake closed on 4 August 2026, according to StudyTrust. Students interested in future funding should monitor the official page for the next application announcement.

Official source: StudyTrust DAFI Scholarship

DAFI Scholarship: Quick Facts

* Programme name: Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI)
* Programme administrator in South Africa: StudyTrust
* International partner: UNHCR
* Funding source: The programme has been financed by the German Government since 1992.
* Who it supports: Eligible refugees seeking access to higher education
* Study level: Undergraduate studies
* Eligible institutions: Government or public higher education institutions, subject to the programme requirements
* Funding duration: One academic year at a time, with possible extensions
* Application method: Official DAFI online application platform
* Special 2026 intake closing date: 4 August 2026
* Current status: Closed for the special 2026 intake

Who Qualifies for the DAFI Scholarship?

The first step is to establish whether you meet the programme’s basic eligibility requirements. Unlike many bursaries that focus mainly on academic marks and household income, DAFI also considers applicants’ refugee status and personal circumstances.

StudyTrust lists the following general criteria.

1. You must have valid refugee documentation

Applicants must possess a valid refugee permit or Section 24 permit to be considered under the published South African criteria.

This is an essential distinction. A student who is a South African citizen or who holds a different immigration document should not assume that they qualify for DAFI.

If you are uncertain whether your documentation meets the requirement, contact StudyTrust or UNHCR before preparing an application.

2. You must have completed secondary school

Applicants must have successfully completed secondary education and achieved grades above the average standard.

Your school results help demonstrate whether you are academically prepared for tertiary education. Keep your Matric certificate or equivalent secondary-school qualification available, together with any additional academic records requested by the application platform.

StudyTrust does not specify one universal Matric percentage threshold in the published general eligibility section. Avoid assuming that a particular school mark guarantees eligibility.

3. You must have limited alternative funding

The programme is intended for refugee students who have no other means of financial support for tertiary education.

This means you should be ready to explain your financial circumstances accurately if asked. Do not assume that simply having a low household income is enough to qualify, because selection also depends on academic potential, background circumstances and available funding.

4. You must meet the age requirement

StudyTrust states that undergraduate applicants should be below 35 years of age.

If your age is close to this limit, confirm how the programme applies the age requirement to the next intake before spending time on an application.

5. You must have admission to a public institution

Applicants must have successfully applied for admission to a government or public higher education institution for full-time studies. A valid admission letter or provisional admission letter must be uploaded.

Practical advice: If you are still waiting for an admission decision, keep track of your university application and any correspondence about provisional admission. The published DAFI criteria require an admission letter to be uploaded, so ask StudyTrust whether your circumstances can be considered if you do not yet have one.

6. You must be prepared for competitive selection

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a scholarship. StudyTrust explains that only a limited number of awards are available because of funding constraints.

The selection committee considers academic potential and applicants’ background circumstances. The programme also expects successful students to participate in relevant DAFI activities and contribute to their communities.

Which Courses Does DAFI Fund?

DAFI supports eligible undergraduate study, but not every course is automatically approved.

StudyTrust specifically notes that certain programmes, including medicine and engineering, are considered on a case-by-case basis and are normally awarded to students with outstanding academic performance.

If you are planning to study one of these qualifications, confirm that your course can be considered under the current intake. Do not assume that admission to a university automatically makes your degree eligible for DAFI funding.

The programme does not support studies at Master’s or PhD level, according to StudyTrust’s published criteria.

What Does the DAFI Scholarship Cover?

The published scholarship information lists several forms of support. These are subject to programme funding caps and the applicable award conditions.

Funding component What it means for students
Registration and tuition fees Assistance with annual university registration and tuition costs, subject to the programme’s limits
Book allowance An annual allowance to help with study materials
Monthly subsistence allowance Support towards basic expenses such as food, local travel and rent during the semester
Data allowance Monthly support for internet and data needs
Medical aid Medical-aid support as specified by the programme
Laptop A laptop for new students, according to the published scholarship details

The programme’s published page does not provide a single guaranteed rand amount for every allowance or a complete breakdown of individual funding caps.

Before making financial commitments, confirm which costs your specific award will cover and whether any portion of your expenses will remain your responsibility.

How Long Does the Scholarship Last?

The DAFI Scholarship is awarded for one academic year at a time.

It may be extended if funding remains available, the student achieves satisfactory academic results and the student participates in programme activities, including community engagement projects and the DAFI Alumni Club.

This means that receiving the scholarship for one academic year does not automatically guarantee funding for the entire duration of your degree.

Students should maintain their academic records, meet university requirements and keep up with any reporting or participation obligations communicated by the programme.

Documents to Prepare Before Applying

The exact document checklist should be confirmed when the next application cycle opens. Based on StudyTrust’s published criteria, prospective applicants should organise the following information in advance:

* Valid refugee permit or Section 24 permit.
* Matric certificate or equivalent secondary-school results.
* University admission letter or provisional admission letter.
* Tertiary academic results, where applicable.
* Information required to explain your financial circumstances.
* Any other documents specifically requested through the official DAFI application platform.

This is a preparation checklist, not a guarantee that these are the only documents required. The next application form may specify additional supporting documents.

Make sure your documents are readable, consistent and up to date. If any document is missing or your refugee permit needs renewal, seek guidance from the relevant authority rather than submitting inaccurate information.

How to Apply for the DAFI Scholarship

Applications must be submitted through the official DAFI Online Platform. StudyTrust warns that applications submitted outside the platform will not be considered.

When the next intake opens, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official StudyTrust DAFI page.
2. Check the application status and read the current eligibility requirements.
3. Confirm that your refugee documentation, age, academic background and proposed course meet the published criteria.
4. Apply to an eligible public higher education institution and obtain the required admission documentation.
5. Open the official DAFI application platform using the link supplied by StudyTrust.
6. Complete the application and upload the requested documents.
7. Review your information carefully before submitting.
8. Monitor your email and the contact details provided in your application for any communication about the selection process.

Do not pay an intermediary who promises to secure a DAFI award. StudyTrust states that its bursaries are not for sale and that applications must follow its official processes.

What Happens After You Apply?

DAFI scholarships are competitive, and the number of available awards depends on funding.

StudyTrust says the selection process is conducted annually by a committee that includes representatives from UNHCR, StudyTrust, UNISA and the German Embassy. Academic potential and applicants’ background circumstances are among the main considerations.

Applicants should therefore avoid making university or financial decisions on the assumption that they will receive the scholarship.

If you meet the minimum requirements but are not selected, StudyTrust encourages applicants to seek alternative sponsorship. You can investigate university financial-aid offices, other suitable refugee-support programmes and any funding for which you independently meet the criteria.

The 2026 Closing Date Has Passed: What Should You Do Now?

The special 2026 intake closed on 4 August 2026. As of this article’s preparation, StudyTrust has not provided a confirmed future closing date on the cited page.

If you missed the deadline, consider the following steps:

Contact StudyTrust. Ask whether another intake is planned and when updated application information will be published.

Check your university’s financial-aid office. Explain your circumstances and ask whether there are alternative funding opportunities available to refugee students.

Monitor UNHCR information. UNHCR and its partners may publish information about scholarship opportunities and support services for refugees.

Prepare early. Keep your academic records, refugee documentation and university admission correspondence organised so that you can respond when a new application window is announced.

Do not rely on dates copied from older websites. Application windows can change between years, and only an official announcement should be treated as confirmation of a new deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can South African citizens apply for the DAFI Scholarship?

The published South African criteria require a valid refugee permit or Section 24 permit. The programme is intended for eligible refugees, not as a general bursary for South African citizens.

Can asylum seekers apply?

StudyTrust’s cited eligibility criteria specify a valid refugee permit or Section 24 permit. They do not confirm that all asylum-seeker documents are accepted. Contact StudyTrust or UNHCR to clarify your specific status.

Can I study at a private university with DAFI funding?

StudyTrust specifies admission to a government or public institution for full-time study. Do not assume that a private institution qualifies.

Does DAFI fund postgraduate degrees?

No. StudyTrust states that the programme does not support Master’s or PhD studies.

Is the DAFI Scholarship currently open?

The special 2026 intake closed on 4 August 2026. Check the official StudyTrust page for any new announcement before applying.

Where can I get help with my application?

StudyTrust lists DAFI application enquiries under its contact information. You can consult the official StudyTrust contact page for current contact details.

Final Advice for Refugee Students

The DAFI Scholarship offers a valuable route into higher education for eligible refugees who demonstrate academic potential and need financial support. However, the refugee-documentation requirement, public-institution admission requirement and competitive selection process make it important to check your eligibility carefully.

If you plan to apply in a future cycle, begin by confirming your documentation and university admission, then prepare your academic records and monitor the official application platform for new dates.

BEmployed compiled this guide to help prospective applicants understand the published requirements in practical terms. StudyTrust and the official DAFI platform remain the final sources for eligibility decisions, application dates and funding conditions.

Official sources:

* StudyTrust — DAFI Scholarship
* StudyTrust — Contact Us
* UNHCR — The UN Refugee Agency

Last checked: 27 October 2026. The special 2026 intake is closed; confirm future application dates directly with StudyTrust.