The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a Black South African citizen between 18 and 35 years old, who has completed Matric with a minimum of 60% for NSC Mathematics, achieved a minimum average of 60% in your undergraduate degree, and are entering your first full-time 1-year Honours degree in STEM or Psychology fields, this opportunity could help you fund your education. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what expenses are included, and how to apply before the closing date.
About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF)
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, one of South Africa’s leading financial services groups. The Foundation is dedicated to empowering South Africans through education, enterprise development, and social investment initiatives.
Through its Education Portfolio, the Foundation aims to increase access to quality higher education for students who show exceptional academic promise but lack the financial means to pursue their studies.
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation is inviting students to apply for their Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Organisation: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) • Parent Company: FirstRand Bank Limited • Focus: STEM and Psychology Honours studies • Academic Year: 2027
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027 will be awarded for studies towards a first Honours degree, in STEM and Psychology fields, including the following:
- 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
Expenses Covered
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027 may provide cover for the following expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation (up to a threshold of R65,000)
- Monthly travelling stipends
- Food vouchers
- Airtime vouchers
Note: Students may also receive additional student support and development services.
Eligibility Requirements for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027
Before you apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be Black, in accordance with the B-BBEE Act (African, Coloured or Indian)
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old on 31 December 2027
- You must have completed Matric
- You must have achieved a minimum result of 60% for NSC Mathematics (NOT Mathematical Literacy)
- You must have achieved a minimum average of 60% in your undergraduate degree
- You must be entering your first full-time 1-year Honours degree in 2027, in one of the fields of study listed above, with a minimum NQF Level 8
- You must study at a recognised and accredited public university in South Africa
- You must meet the admission requirements for your qualification
- You must have a combined household income NOT more than R700,000 per annum
Required Documents
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application.
- ID document
- Matric certificate
- Complete undergraduate academic record
- Provisional or final honours acceptance letter, if available
- Proof of parents or guardians household income (latest payslips if employed/affidavit if unemployed/affidavit stating annual income if self-employed/most recent audited financial statement or 3 months’ most recent bank statements if they own a business/SASSA letter stating the grants received if applicable)
- ID documents of all household members
- If disabled: a completed EEA1 form and a valid Doctor’s note
Note: Supporting documents must be submitted in PDF format and must not be larger than 5MB.
Important Information
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the first week of January 2027. If you do not receive any feedback by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
How to Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027
Follow these steps to submit your application for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027. Applications must be submitted online.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a Black South African citizen aged 18–35, with 60% in NSC Mathematics, a 60% undergraduate average, and a household income not exceeding R700,000 per annum.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents listed above, ensuring they are in PDF format and do not exceed 5MB.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application
Click the button below to go to the official FirstRand Empowerment Foundation application portal. Fill in all required fields carefully and upload your documents.
Direct application link: https://bursaries.feenix.org/fref/apply-now/
Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline
⏰ Closing Date for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027: 31 December 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
For any queries related to the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027, please contact Feenix (the administrators for this bursary) directly:
- Telephone: 063 968 7544
- Email: support@bursaries.feenix.org
- Contact page: https://bursaries.feenix.org/fref/contact-2/
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027 – Quick Summary
- Organisation: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF)
- Bursary Name: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Programme
- Parent Company: FirstRand Bank Limited
- Academic Year: 2027
- Who can apply: Black South African citizens aged 18–35
- Fields of study: 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
- Study level: First full-time 1-year Honours degree (minimum NQF Level 8)
- Institution type: Recognised and accredited public university in South Africa
- Key requirements: 60% in NSC Mathematics, 60% undergraduate average, household income not exceeding R700,000 per annum
- Expenses covered: Tuition fees, accommodation (up to R65,000), monthly travelling stipends, food vouchers, airtime vouchers
- Required documents: ID, Matric certificate, undergraduate academic record, honours acceptance letter, proof of household income, household members’ IDs, EEA1 form and Doctor’s note (if disabled)
- Document format: PDF only, maximum 5MB
- Application method: Online via Feenix portal
- Feedback timeline: First week of January 2027
- Closing date: 31 December 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027
1. Who can apply for this bursary?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027 is open to Black South African citizens (African, Coloured, or Indian) aged 18–35 who have completed Matric with 60% in NSC Mathematics, achieved a 60% undergraduate average, and are entering their first full-time Honours degree in 2027.
2. What fields of study are covered?
The bursary covers STEM and Psychology fields, including Actuarial Science, Agricultural Sciences, Biosciences, Climate Sciences, Computer Science, Data Science, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Information fields, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Renewable Energy, Risk, Sciences, and Statistics.
3. What expenses does the bursary cover?
The bursary may cover tuition fees, accommodation (up to R65,000), monthly travelling stipends, food vouchers, and airtime vouchers. Students may also receive additional student support and development services.
4. What is the income threshold for this bursary?
Your combined household income must be NOT more than R700,000 per annum.
5. Is Mathematical Literacy accepted?
No. You must have achieved a minimum of 60% for NSC Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy.
6. What documents do I need to submit?
You need to submit: ID, Matric certificate, complete undergraduate academic record, honours acceptance letter, proof of household income, household members’ IDs, and an EEA1 form plus Doctor’s note (if disabled). All documents must be in PDF format and under 5MB.
7. What is the closing date?
The closing date for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary 2027 is 31 December 2026.
8. Where can I find more postgraduate bursaries?
Visit EduFunds postgraduate bursaries page or all bursaries for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za for more funding opportunities.
Looking for more study funding? Explore all bursaries for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation
Honours Bursary Programme 2027
Empowering South Africans through education • Increasing access to quality higher education