FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursaries 2027: Honours Funding for STEM and Psychology Students
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) invites eligible South African students to apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursaries 2027: Honours Funding for STEM and Psychology Students is a bursary offered by FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (open nationally). Applications close on 31 Dec 2026.
Who can apply
- Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.
- Be a South African citizen;
- Be Black in accordance with the B-BBEE Act, namely African, Coloured or Indian (ACI);
- Be between 18 and 35 years old on 31 December 2027;
- Have completed Matric;
- Have obtained at least 60% for NSC Mathematics;
- Have taken Mathematics and not Mathematical Literacy;
- Have achieved a minimum average of 60% in your undergraduate degree;
- Be entering your first full-time, one-year Honours degree in 2027;
- Study towards a qualification in one of the eligible fields;
- Be studying at a minimum NQF Level 8;
- Attend a recognised and accredited public university in South Africa;
- Meet the admission requirements for the intended qualification; and
- Have a combined household income of not more than R700,000 per annum.
- Applicants should pay particular attention to the academic requirements.
- For school-level Mathematics, applicants must have achieved at least 60% in NSC Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy does not meet this requirement.
- At undergraduate level, applicants must have achieved a minimum overall average of 60%.
- Applicants must also meet the admission requirements set by the public university for their chosen Honours programme.
Documents you will need
- Certified copy of ID, with certification not older than six months;
- Certified copy of Matric certificate;
- Certified complete undergraduate academic record;
- Provisional or final Honours acceptance letter, if available;
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income;
- ID numbers of the applicant and all household members; and
- Disability documentation, where applicable.
- Applicants with a disability must submit a completed EEA1 form and a valid doctor’s note.
How to apply
Applications are submitted directly to FirstRand Empowerment Foundation - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.
Go to the application pageFull details
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) invites eligible South African students to apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 December 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The bursary is aimed at students entering their first full-time, one-year Honours degree in 2027 in selected STEM and Psychology fields at a recognised and accredited public university in South Africa.
About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation is offering bursary funding to qualifying students pursuing their first Honours qualification in selected Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Psychology fields.
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old on 31 December 2027, meet the academic requirements and have a combined household income of no more than R700,000 per annum.
The bursary is specifically for a full-time, one-year Honours degree at a minimum NQF Level 8.
Fields of Study Covered
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary will fund first Honours degrees in the following fields:
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
- Biosciences
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Information Management
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Risk
- Sciences
- Statistics
Applicants should ensure that their intended Honours qualification falls within one of the advertised study fields.
What Does the FREF Bursary Cover?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary may provide financial assistance towards:
- Tuition fees;
- Accommodation, up to a threshold of R65,000;
- Monthly travelling stipends;
- Food vouchers; and
- Airtime vouchers.
Students may also receive additional student support and development services.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.
You must:
Academic Requirements
Applicants should pay particular attention to the academic requirements.
For school-level Mathematics, applicants must have achieved at least 60% in NSC Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy does not meet this requirement.
At undergraduate level, applicants must have achieved a minimum overall average of 60%.
Applicants must also meet the admission requirements set by the public university for their chosen Honours programme.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit clear copies of the following supporting documents:
Applicants with a disability must submit a completed EEA1 form and a valid doctor’s note.
Proof of Household Income
The required proof will depend on the employment circumstances of the applicant’s parents or guardians.
Supporting evidence may include:
- Latest payslips if employed;
- An affidavit if unemployed;
- An affidavit confirming annual income if self-employed;
- Most recent audited financial statements if they own a business;
- Three months’ most recent bank statements if they own a business; or
- A SASSA letter confirming grants received, where applicable.
The combined household income must not exceed R700,000 per annum.
Supporting Document Format
Supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format.
Each document must not exceed 5MB.
Applicants should ensure that documents are clear and readable before uploading them to the application portal. Missing compulsory documents may result in an application not being considered.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted by the first week of January 2027.
Applicants who have not received feedback by this time should consider their applications unsuccessful.
How to Apply for FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the FREF bursary application platform.
Click here to apply for FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
Applicants should complete all required sections of the online application and upload the compulsory supporting documentation in PDF format.
The supplied application guidance indicates that applicants may enter www.zabursaries.co.za in the field asking how they heard about the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary.
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Closing Date
Applications close on:
31 December 2026
Applicants should submit their applications and supporting documents before the deadline.
Quick Overview
Frequently asked questions
What is the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursaries 2027: Honours Funding for STEM and Psychology Students?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursaries 2027: Honours Funding for STEM and Psychology Students is a bursary offered by FirstRand Empowerment Foundation for South African students and applicants interested in Engineering, Accounting/Finance, and Commerce/Business. The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) invites eligible South African students to apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year. Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 December 2026 Bursary Location: South Africa The bursary is aimed at students en... You can read the full details, eligibility criteria, and application steps on this page before you apply.
Who qualifies for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary?
To qualify for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary, applicants generally need to meet a few key conditions. These include Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying., Be a South African citizen;, and Be Black in accordance with the B-BBEE Act, namely African, Coloured or Indian (ACI);. It is open to applicants at Matric, Postgraduate, and Undergraduate level. Read every requirement carefully on the official listing, because meeting all of them improves your chances of being shortlisted.
When does the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary close?
According to our sources, the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary closes on 31 December 2026. We last checked this listing on 29 September 2026. We always recommend verifying the closing date on the official listing, as providers sometimes extend or bring forward their deadlines.
What documents do I need to apply?
For the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary you will typically need to prepare Certified copy of ID, with certification not older than six months;, Certified copy of Matric certificate;, Certified complete undergraduate academic record;, and Provisional or final Honours acceptance letter, if available;. Make sure any copies you submit are certified and clearly legible, as incomplete applications are often rejected. It also helps to scan everything in advance so you can upload or attach the documents quickly when you apply.
How do I apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary?
Applications must be submitted online through the FREF bursary application platform. Click here to apply for FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027 Applicants should complete all required sections of the online application and upload the compulsory supporting documentation in PDF format. The supplied application guidance indicates that applicants may enter www.zabursaries.co.za in the field asking how they heard about the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary. You can start your application using the official link provided on this page. Apply early and keep a copy of any reference number or confirmation you receive, in case you need to follow up.
Sources
This page summarises information published by:
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