FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary South Africa 2026
📅 Closing Date: 30 September 2025
🎓 For First-Year Undergraduate Studies (2026)
💸 Full Bursary Cover | Public Universities in South Africa
🧭 About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation
Established in 2005, the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is a leading initiative under FirstRand Limited’s B-BBEE transformation strategy. The foundation is deeply committed to addressing inequality and poverty by empowering South Africa’s youth to access higher education and economic opportunities.
FREF’s leadership is predominantly Black, as defined under the Financial Sector Charter, and the foundation’s core vision is to ensure equitable access to education that promotes inclusive economic growth.
📚 Fields of Study Covered
The FREF Bursary Programme funds first-time undergraduate students pursuing critical skills in the following fields:
- Agricultural Sciences (all specialisations)
- Arts: Psychology
- Commerce: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Financial Management
- Engineering: All specialisations
- Environmental Sciences: Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy
- Information Sciences: Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences: Mathematics, Risk, Statistics
- Natural Sciences: Biosciences, Electronics, Physics
- Social Sciences & Law: Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Law, Society and Sustainability
💰 What the Bursary Covers
Successful candidates will receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Learning resources and textbooks
- A laptop (for first-year students)
- Accommodation and meals
- A monthly stipend
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be Black as defined by the BBBEE Act
- Be 21 years or younger in the first year of study (2026)
- Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric within the last 3 years
- Achieve at least Level 5 in Mathematics
- Demonstrate strong academic performance
- Plan to study full-time toward a first undergraduate degree
- Gain provisional acceptance at a public university for 2026
- Have a combined gross family income below R600,000 per annum
📌 Note: Postgraduate funding may be considered only in special cases where a postgraduate qualification is essential for employment.
📝 Apply Here
📄 Required Supporting Documents
Prepare and upload clear, certified copies of the following documents:
- Recent head & shoulders photo
- South African ID document
- Grade 11 final results and Matric June results (if currently in Matric)
- Matric certificate (if completed)
- Provisional acceptance letter from a public university (2026)
- Proof of household income, e.g.:
- Latest payslips (if employed)
- Affidavit (if unemployed/self-employed)
- SASSA letters (if applicable)
- Business bank statements (if parents own a business)
- Death certificates (if parents are deceased)
- Divorce/separation support affidavits (if applicable)
📞 Contact Details
📧 Email: applye@StudyTrust.org.za
📞 Tel: 011 403 1632
🌐 Website: www.studytrust.org.za
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