FEM Bursary 2027 for Engineering, Built Environment and Health Sciences: Tuition, Monthly Stipend

Who can apply

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be studying full-time, towards an undergraduate qualification within one of the fields of study listed above
• You must have completed your first year of study (bursaries will NOT be awarded to 1st year students and postgraduate students)
• You must be studying at an approved institution or public University in South Africa
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must be in good financial standing with your university and NOT have any outstanding fees due
• You must have a total household income of NOT more than R360 000 per year
• You must be in financial need and not able to fund your own studies
• Preference will be given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Documents you will need

• Applicants must prepare documents confirming their identity, academic progress and household financial circumstances.
• Valid South African ID
• Latest official academic record
• FEM bursary application form
• Parent or guardian identity documents
• Proof of household income
• Social grant documentation, where applicable
• Unemployment affidavits, where applicable
• Affidavit for a non-supporting parent or guardian, where applicable
• Death certificate of a deceased parent, where applicable
• Divorce certificate, where applicable
• Pension documentation, where applicable
• If another dependant in the household is studying at a tertiary institution, proof of that person’s registration is also required.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to FEM - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

The 2027 FEM bursary pays for tuition, prescribed textbooks and a monthly stipend for qualifying undergraduates in Engineering, Built Environment or Health Sciences. Applications close on 16 November 2026. You must have finished your first year, owe no university fees from earlier years and fall under the R360,000 yearly household income limit.

FEM Bursary 2027 key facts

Be careful of scams. Real bursaries never ask you to pay for applications, registration or placement. Only apply through FEM's official application portal.

Who qualifies for the FEM Bursary 2027?

The FEM Bursary Programme helps strong South African students from households with little money.

You must meet these requirements:

• South African citizen
• Finished your first year of undergraduate study
• Good academic results
• Studying Engineering, Built Environment or Health Sciences
• Accepted at an approved institution
• Combined household income of R360,000 a year or less
• No unpaid university fees from earlier years
• Real financial need

Priority goes to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds who would struggle to pay for their studies without help.

The biggest rule is that first-year and postgraduate students cannot apply.

Check your financial standing with your institution before you apply.

Can first-year university students apply?

No.

FEM asks that you have successfully finished at least your first year of undergraduate study.

The programme is meant for students who are continuing, not people starting their first university qualification.

For example, a student who finished first year and moves into second year in 2027 may qualify.

A matric learner starting university for the first time in 2027 does not meet this rule.

Can postgraduate students apply?

No.

The programme supports students doing their first undergraduate degree or diploma.

Students who already hold a university qualification and want funding for another one are also excluded.

Even if your second qualification is in Engineering or Health Sciences, a previous university qualification affects whether you qualify.

Which courses does the FEM Bursary cover?

FEM focuses on qualifications in two broad groups.

1. Engineering and the Built Environment

Students studying approved qualifications in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment can apply.

These fields include areas such as infrastructure, engineering systems, technical development and the construction industry.

The programme suits students building careers in technical fields linked to FEM's industry.

FEM does not publish a full list of approved qualifications.

Check your registered qualification and faculty classification. Do not assume every engineering course qualifies.

2. Health Sciences

Students registered for approved qualifications in the Faculty of Health Sciences can also apply.

This area links to healthcare and rehabilitation, including professional fields connected to workplace health and recovery.

As with Engineering, the programme does not name every eligible degree.

Confirm your specific qualification before you go ahead.

What about accounting, commerce or law students?

The online application questionnaire lists Commerce, Law and Management as a faculty you can select.

However, the eligibility rules name only Engineering, the Built Environment and Health Sciences.

A faculty showing up in the questionnaire does not mean students in it get funding.

If you study outside the named fields, ask FEM to confirm before you assume you qualify.

How much household income is allowed?

Combined gross household income must not go over R360,000 a year.

This limit covers the whole household's income, not only the applicant's own income.

FEM needs financial proof to check whether you meet the limit.

Depending on your household, this may include:

• Recent salary slips
• Pension statements
• Social grant documents
• Bank statements showing pension payments
• Affidavits confirming unemployment
• Affidavits explaining informal income
• Proof of financial support arrangements

If your parents or guardians are unemployed, you may need affidavits to explain how your household is supported.

What if your household earns between R275,000 and R330,000?

The FEM online questionnaire has an odd detail.

The income options jump from R220,000 to R275,000, and then from R330,000 to R360,000.

This seems to leave a gap for households with income between those amounts.

If your income falls in that missing range, contact FEM for advice. Do not pick a wrong income category on purpose.

The published limit is still R360,000 a year.

What expenses does the FEM Bursary cover?

FEM gives wide support to students who qualify for undergraduate funding.

The bursary includes several kinds of study support.

Tuition and registration

The programme pays for full-time tuition.

FEM's bursary benefits page also mentions registration fees.

This can ease the money pressure of carrying on with undergraduate study.

Prescribed textbooks and study materials

The bursary covers prescribed textbooks.

The benefits information also mentions stationery, so you can get the learning materials you need.

Monthly stipend

Successful applicants get a monthly stipend.

FEM has not announced the monthly amount for the 2027 programme.

Ask for the amount and payment details when you are offered funding.

Accommodation and meals

FEM may offer help with accommodation and meals.

This help is up to FEM and is not automatically approved for every recipient.

The benefits page also mentions a monthly food allowance.

Confirm your own food and accommodation arrangements before you make any money commitments.

Laptop support

FEM may provide a laptop, at its discretion.

Do not assume every successful recipient will get a laptop.

Can you apply if you already get another bursary?

No.

FEM does not allow funding from two bursaries at once.

This also applies if you already get a partial bursary from another organisation and want FEM to cover the rest of your costs.

A partial bursary does not automatically make you eligible for more FEM funding.

Check your existing financial help before you apply.

Declare your funding honestly and do not expect FEM to top it up.

Can you apply if you owe university fees?

No.

You must be in good financial standing with your university.

FEM does not pay off fees from earlier academic years.

For example, a student with unpaid university fees from 2025 or 2026 should not expect the 2027 bursary to clear those debts.

Get an accurate account statement and deal with any balance with your institution where you can.

Good marks are not enough if you fail the financial standing rule.

Which documents are required for the FEM Bursary?

You must prepare documents that prove your identity, your academic progress and your household's finances.

The documents include:

• Valid South African ID
• Latest official academic record
• FEM bursary application form
• Parent or guardian identity documents
• Proof of household income
• Social grant documents, if applicable
• Unemployment affidavits, if applicable
• Affidavit for a non-supporting parent or guardian, if applicable
• Death certificate of a deceased parent, if applicable
• Divorce certificate, if applicable
• Pension documents, if applicable

If another dependant in your household studies at a tertiary institution, you must also show proof of that person's registration.

How recent must certified documents be?

Certified copies must be no older than three months.

FEM accepts certification from the South African Police Service or the South African Post Office.

Check that the certification stamps are clear and the documents can be read.

For income, employed parents or guardians must send recent payslips no older than three months.

If a parent works informally, you must send an affidavit that explains the work situation.

How do you apply for the FEM Bursary 2027?

You apply through FEM's official online recruitment platform.

The process starts with an online questionnaire.

If you are shortlisted, you may get a separate bursary application form to complete.

Step 1: Open the official FEM application page

Go to FEM's official application page.

Find the page for the FEM Bursary Programme 2027.

Check that the opportunity is called Application for a Bursary for Full Time Study 2027.

Step 2: Select Apply

Click Apply to open the online application form.

The form asks for personal details, contact information and supporting documents.

Step 3: Complete the online questionnaire

You must answer questions about:

• The university you attend now
• Your year of study in 2027
• Your academic faculty
• Your registered qualification
• Combined household income
• Your 2026 academic average
• Unpaid university fees
• Your current accommodation arrangements

Answer every question honestly.

The form has first-year and postgraduate options, but the eligibility rules exclude those study levels.

Step 4: Upload the requested documents

Attach the documents the system asks for.

Make sure your academic and financial information matches your proof.

Step 5: Submit your initial application

Check all details before you submit.

Use an email address you check often, and watch it for messages.

Step 6: Complete any extra shortlisting requirements

If you are shortlisted, you will get the FEM bursary application form.

Fill in every section and attach the supporting documents it asks for.

All application information and supporting documents must reach FEM by 16 November 2026.

Official application links

Apply online through the FEM Bursary Programme 2027 page on FEM's official site.

Read the FEM bursary frequently asked questions on the official site.

Do you have to repay the FEM Bursary?

No.

FEM says its funding is non-reimbursable, so recipients do not have to repay the bursary under the published conditions.

The bursary still depends on academic and participation requirements.

Read your funding agreement carefully before you accept an award.

Must you work for FEM after graduating?

No.

Graduates can look for work anywhere once they finish their studies.

There is no stated rule that you must work for FEM after graduating.

Is the FEM Bursary renewed automatically?

No.

The bursary can be renewed each year, but only under several conditions.

These include:

• Passing registered academic modules
• Taking part in community service
• Finishing the required community service
• FEM's approval

Getting funding for one year does not guarantee funding for the next.

You must keep meeting the programme's requirements.

When is the FEM Bursary 2027 closing date?

Applications close on:

Monday, 16 November 2026.

The application period opened on 2 November 2026.

No specific closing time is given.

Finish the initial online questionnaire and any follow-up documents before the deadline.

If you wait until the last day, you may not have time to get certified documents or fix mistakes.

How can you contact FEM about your application?

You can contact FEM using its official contact details.

Phone FEM on the number listed on its official contact page.

Send FEM an email using the address on its official contact page.

Visit FEM's official website for contact details.

Before you contact FEM, check the bursary FAQs for answers about eligibility, dual funding, university debt and repayment.

When you ask for clarification, include your exact academic qualification and explain your situation clearly.

Your next steps before 16 November

First, confirm that you finished your first undergraduate year and study in one of the eligible faculties.

Check that your combined household income is no more than R360,000 a year and that you have no unpaid fees from earlier academic years.

Gather your academic record, identity documents and proof of household income.

Then complete the FEM Bursary 2027 online application and watch your email for requests for more documents.

Closing date: 16 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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