FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (administered by StudyTrust)
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary funds first-time undergraduates from low-income South African households who show academic potential in information sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences and law - including FNB-related career paths.
- Amount
- Full undergraduate degree funding (postgraduate funded if essential to employment)
- Deadline
- Closed 30 September 2026
- Duration
- Full undergraduate degree (extended to required postgraduate level where applicable, e.g. CA, actuarial)
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (administered by StudyTrust) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen
- ✓ Currently in Grade 12, or completed Grade 12 not more than 3 years ago
- ✓ Provisional admission to a South African public traditional university for full-time study
- ✓ Starting a first undergraduate degree in 2027
- ✓ Combined household gross annual income of R700,000 or less
- ✓ Proven academic potential in the applied-for field of study
What's Included
- ✓ Full tuition fees
- ✓ Accommodation and meals (at official residence)
- ✓ Prescribed books and study materials
- ✓ Laptop where required
- ✓ Mentorship and academic support through StudyTrust
- ✓ Funding continuation for required postgraduate qualifications (e.g. accounting, actuarial science)
How to Apply
Steps to complete your FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (administered by StudyTrust) bursary application
- 1
Visit StudyTrust's FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary page during the next application season (StudyTrust's season normally runs 1 June to 30 September)
- 2
Register a profile and complete the online application form
- 3
Upload supporting documents - ID, results, proof of household income, university acceptance
- 4
Submit before the published closing date
- 5
Shortlisted candidates participate in interviews between March and May
- 6
Final results announced by June
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified ID copy
- 📄 Latest academic results / Grade 11 final or matric results
- 📄 Proof of provisional acceptance at a South African public university
- 📄 Proof of household income (payslips, affidavit if unemployed, grant proof)
- 📄 CV
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary?
- South African citizens currently in Grade 12 (or who completed Grade 12 within the last 3 years) starting their first undergraduate degree at a public South African university, from households with a combined gross annual income of R700,000 or less.
- When do FirstRand bursary applications open and close?
- StudyTrust, which administers the bursary, listed the 2027 round as closed on 12 October 2026. Its application season normally runs from 1 June to 30 September for funding the following year, so watch the StudyTrust page from June 2027 for the 2028 round.
- Which fields of study does the FirstRand bursary cover?
- Information Sciences (Computer Science, Data Science, IT), Mathematical Sciences (Mathematics, Statistics, Risk), Natural Sciences (Biosciences, Physics, Electronics) and Social Sciences and Law.
- Does the FirstRand bursary cover postgraduate study?
- The bursary primarily covers undergraduate degrees. Where a postgraduate qualification is essential to employment (e.g. accounting, actuarial science), funding for the postgraduate qualification will be accommodated.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 30 September 2026.
StudyTrust, which administers this bursary, listed it as 'Now closed for 2027' on 12 October 2026. StudyTrust's application season runs from 1 June to 30 September each year, for funding the following academic year.
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (administered by StudyTrust)'s official siteInformation verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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