FirstRand Empowerment Foundation: Bursaries 2026
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursaries 2026 are now open for applications, offering comprehensive financial support to South African students pursuing their first undergraduate degree in critical fields. Apply by 30 September 2025 to secure funding for your 2026 academic year.
ALSO CHECK: 30 Harvard Free Online Courses
Background & Bursary Description
This bursary opportunity is being advertised on our platform for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation.
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is inviting applications for its 2026 bursary programme. The bursaries are aimed at first-year undergraduate students enrolling in public universities across South Africa. The programme focuses on fields aligned with the country’s critical skills needs and FREF’s social investment priorities. Successful applicants will receive comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources, a monthly stipend, and a computer for first-year students. frefbursary.feenix.org+4Graduates24+4zabursaries.co.za+4
Eligible Fields of Study
Bursaries will be awarded for undergraduate studies in the following fields:zabursaries.co.za+2Graduates24+2zabursaries.co.za+2
- Agricultural Sciences
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Economics
- Financial Management
- Engineering (all specialisations)
- Environmental Sciences (Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy)
- Business Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Information Systems
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Risk Management
- Statistics
- Biosciences
- Electronics
- Physics
- Society and Sustainability
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Law
- Psychology frefbursary.feenix.org+12Graduates24+12zabursaries.co.za+12
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be Black, as defined by the BBBEE Act.
- Be currently in Grade 12 or have completed Grade 12 within the last three years.
- Be no older than 21 years in the first year of study.
- Have achieved a minimum of level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12.
- Intend to study full-time towards a first undergraduate degree in one of the specified fields.
- Have applied for and been provisionally admitted to a public university in South Africa for the 2026 academic year.
- Have a combined gross family income not exceeding R600,000 per annum. zabursaries.co.za+2Graduates24+2zabursaries.co.za+2frefbursary.feenix.org+6zabursaries.co.za+6Graduates24+6
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation: Bursaries 2026
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the StudyTrust portal. Applicants are required to provide the following supporting documents:Graduates24+4zabursaries.co.za+4studytrust.org.za+4zabursaries.co.za
- A clear photograph (head and shoulders).
- Certified copy of South African ID document.
- Grade 11 final results and Matric June results (if currently in Grade 12).
- Matric certificate (if completed Grade 12).
- Proof of university acceptance or provisional acceptance for 2026.
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income (e.g., latest payslips, affidavits, SASSA letters).
- Parents’ death certificates (if applicable).
- Court letter stating child support amounts or affidavit from the parent stating the child support amount received (if applicable). Graduates24+6zabursaries.co.za+6zabursaries.co.za+6
Closing Date
The application deadline for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursaries 2026 is 30 September 2025. Late applications will not be considered.Graduates24
Suggested Top Keywords:
FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary 2026, undergraduate bursary South Africa, critical skills bursary, South African bursaries 2026, FirstRand bursary application, StudyTrust bursary, financial aid South Africa, university funding 2026, bursary for black students, BBBEE bursary programme
