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.

Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 December 2026

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.

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.

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary will fund first Honours degrees in the following fields:

Applicants should ensure that their intended Honours qualification falls within one of the advertised study fields.

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary may provide financial assistance towards:

Accommodation, up to a threshold of R65,000;

Students may also receive additional student support and development services.

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.

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 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.

Applicants must submit clear copies of the following supporting documents:

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.

The required proof will depend on the employment circumstances of the applicant’s parents or guardians.

Supporting evidence may include:

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 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.

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.

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.

Applicants should submit their applications and supporting documents before the deadline.

• Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.
• You must:
• 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.