The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a Black South African citizen, currently in Matric or have completed Matric within the last 3 years, and you are not older than 21 in your first year of study, this opportunity could help you pursue your undergraduate degree. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what expenses are included, and how to apply before the closing date.
About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation
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 Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 contributes to addressing the youth unemployment crisis by producing skilled graduates aligned with South Africa’s economic needs.
Organisation: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) • Parent: FirstRand Bank Limited • Focus: Undergraduate critical skills programmes • Academic Year: 2027
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 will be awarded for studies towards critical skills programmes, specifically for Undergraduate Degree studies in the following fields:
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 will be awarded for studies towards critical skills programmes, specifically for Undergraduate Degree studies in the following fields:
Agricultural Sciences
All specialisations
Arts
Psychology, Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Multimedia, Architecture, Art and Design
Commercial Sciences
Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Financial Management
Engineering
All specialisations
Environmental Sciences
Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy
Health Sciences
Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Pharmacy
Information Sciences
Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Management, Information Technology
Mathematical Sciences
Mathematics, Risk, Statistics
Natural Sciences
Biosciences, Electronics, Physics
Social Sciences and Law
Society and Sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Law
Note: Postgraduate funding will be considered in special circumstances where a postgraduate qualification (PGD or Honours degree) is essential to give access to employment opportunities.
What Expenses Does the Bursary Cover?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 will provide cover for the following expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Learning resources
- Computer (for 1st year students)
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Monthly stipend
Eligibility Requirements for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027
Before you apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 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, as defined by the BBBEE Act
- You must NOT be older than 21 years in your first year of study
- You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric within the last 3 years (applicants who completed Matric more than 3 years ago may NOT apply)
- You must have achieved a minimum of level 5 for Mathematics in Matric
- You must have a strong academic record
- You must intend on studying full time, towards a first undergraduate degree in one of the fields listed above
- You must be entering your 1st year of study in 2027
- You must have applied for and been provisionally admitted to study at a public university in South Africa in 2027
- You must have a combined gross family income NOT more than R700,000 per annum
Required Documents
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027. All documents must be certified.
- Clear photograph (head and shoulders)
- South African ID document
- Grade 11 final results and Matric June results, if currently in Matric
- Matric certificate, if completed Matric
- Proof of university acceptance / provisional acceptance for 2027
- 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
- Parents’ death certificates if deceased
- Letter from the court stating child support amounts if parents are divorced, or affidavit from the parent stating the child support amount received if parents are separated
How to Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027
Follow these steps to submit your application for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027. The application process is managed through StudyTrust.
Step 1: Read the Instructions
Before making an application, applicants must read the StudyTrust bursary instructions.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a Black South African citizen aged 21 or younger, having a minimum of level 5 for Mathematics, and having a household income not exceeding R700,000 per year.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents listed above, ensuring they are certified copies. This includes your ID, academic results, proof of university acceptance, and proof of household income.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Click the button below to go to the official FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary application portal. Fill in all required fields carefully and upload your documents.
Direct application link: https://studytrust.kycdd.co.za/client/a1f1a687-bd9d-41d4-9d19-23cdce0f5a9c
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
⏰ Closing Date for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027: 30 September 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
If you have any queries related to the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact StudyTrust (the administrators for this bursary) directly:
- Telephone: 011 403 1632
- Email: apply@StudyTrust.org.za
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary
- Organisation: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF)
- Bursary Name: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Programme
- Academic Year: 2027
- Who can apply: Black South African citizens, aged 21 or younger, currently in Matric or completed within last 3 years
- Minimum Mathematics requirement: Level 5 in Matric
- Study level: First-year undergraduate full-time degree
- Institution type: Public university only
- Household income limit: Not exceeding R700,000 per year
- Fields of study: Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Commercial Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Information Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Law
- What is covered: Tuition fees, learning resources, computer (1st years), accommodation, meals, monthly stipend
- Application method: Online via StudyTrust portal
- Closing date: 30 September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027
1. What does “Black as defined by the BBBEE Act” mean?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 uses the BBBEE Act definition, which includes African, Coloured, and Indian South Africans. If you fall under these groups, you are eligible to apply.
2. Can I apply if I completed Matric more than 3 years ago?
No. The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 requires that you are currently in Matric or have completed Matric within the last 3 years. Applicants who completed Matric more than 3 years ago may not apply.
3. I am 22 years old. Can I still apply?
No. The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 requires that you are NOT older than 21 years in your first year of study. If you will be 22 or older in 2027, you are not eligible.
4. Can I apply if my household income exceeds R700,000 per year?
No. The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 requires a combined gross family income of not more than R700,000 per annum. Applicants with higher household incomes will not be considered.
5. Can I apply for postgraduate studies?
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary South Africa 2027 is primarily for first-year undergraduate students. Postgraduate funding will be considered only in special circumstances where a postgraduate qualification (PGD or Honours degree) is essential to give access to employment opportunities.
6. Do I need to have applied to a public university before applying?
Yes. You must have applied for and been provisionally admitted to study at a public university in South Africa for 2027. Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance is required.
7. What if my parents are divorced or separated?
If your parents are divorced, you must submit a letter from the court stating child support amounts. If they are separated, you must submit an affidavit from the parent stating the child support amount received.
8. Where can I find more undergraduate bursaries in South Africa?
Visit EduFunds undergraduate bursaries page for more funding opportunities for first-year students.
Looking for more study funding? Explore all bursaries for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF)
Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027
Empowering through education • Building skilled graduates • Addressing youth unemployment