FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027: Honours Funding for STEM and Psychology Students
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is inviting eligible South African students to apply for its FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The bursary is aimed at students who will begin their first full-time, one-year Honours degree in 2027 in selected Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Psychology fields.
Successful applicants may receive financial assistance towards tuition, accommodation, travel, food and airtime, together with student support and development services.
The application closing date is 31 December 2026.
About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation provides bursary funding to qualifying students who are pursuing their first Honours qualification in selected STEM and Psychology fields.
For the 2027 academic year, the programme is intended for students entering a full-time, one-year Honours degree at a minimum NQF Level 8.
Applicants must meet the academic, financial and personal eligibility requirements. The programme is available to eligible South African citizens studying at recognised and accredited public universities in South Africa.
The household income threshold is R700,000 per annum or less.
Fields of Study Covered
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary covers first Honours degrees in the following fields:
- Actuarial Science
- Agricultural Sciences
- BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
- Biosciences
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Information Management
- Information Science
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Renewable Energy
- Risk
- Sciences
- Statistics
Applicants should confirm that their intended Honours qualification falls within one of the advertised fields before submitting an application.
What Does the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary Cover?
The bursary may provide financial assistance towards several study-related costs.
Funding may include:
Tuition Fees
Financial assistance may be provided towards the cost of tuition for the approved Honours programme.
Accommodation
Accommodation support may be provided up to a threshold of R65,000.
Monthly Travel Stipend
Eligible students may receive a monthly travelling stipend to assist with transport-related costs.
Food Vouchers
Food vouchers may also form part of the bursary support.
Airtime Vouchers
Successful students may receive airtime vouchers as part of the overall student support package.
Student Support and Development
The programme may also provide additional student support and development services to assist beneficiaries during their studies.
The exact value and combination of benefits should be confirmed through the official bursary programme and application process.
Who Can Apply for the FREF Bursary?
Applicants must meet all the relevant minimum requirements.
To qualify, applicants 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 achieved at least 60% for NSC Mathematics.
- Have taken Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy.
- Have achieved a minimum 60% overall average in their undergraduate degree.
- Be entering their first full-time, one-year Honours degree in 2027.
- Be studying in one of the eligible fields.
- Be pursuing a qualification at a minimum NQF Level 8.
- Attend a recognised and accredited public university in South Africa.
- Meet the admission requirements for the intended Honours qualification.
- Have a combined household income of not more than R700,000 per annum.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.
Academic Requirements
Academic performance is an important part of the FREF bursary eligibility criteria.
NSC Mathematics
Applicants must have obtained at least 60% in NSC Mathematics.
Mathematical Literacy does not meet the stated Mathematics requirement.
Undergraduate Average
Applicants must have achieved a minimum overall undergraduate average of 60%.
Applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen public university and Honours programme.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the online application.
The required documents include:
- Certified copy of South African ID, certified within the last 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.
- Disability documentation, where applicable.
Applicants with a disability must submit a completed EEA1 form together with a valid doctor’s note.
Proof of Household Income
Applicants must provide appropriate proof of household income based on the circumstances of their parents or guardians.
The supporting documents may include:
- Latest payslips for employed parents or guardians.
- An affidavit where a parent or guardian is unemployed.
- An affidavit confirming annual income for self-employed individuals.
- Most recent audited financial statements where a parent or guardian owns a business.
- Three months’ most recent bank statements where a parent or guardian owns a business.
- A SASSA letter confirming grants received, where applicable.
The combined household income must not be more than R700,000 per year.
Applicants should make sure the income documentation is clear and complete before uploading it.
Supporting Document Requirements
All supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format.
Each document must be no larger than 5MB.
Before submitting the application, applicants should check that:
- Documents are clear and readable.
- Required pages have been included.
- Certificates are properly certified where required.
- Income documents are current and relevant.
- Files are saved in PDF format.
- No individual file exceeds the 5MB limit.
Missing compulsory documentation may result in the application not being considered.
How to Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
Applications for the FREF Bursary 2027 must be submitted online through the official bursary application platform.
Application portal:
Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary 2027
Applicants should complete all required sections of the
