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FirstRand Empowerment Foundation postgraduate bursary

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) believes that financial barriers should never limit academic potential.

The bursary goes beyond covering tuition – it provides the comprehensive support necessary for students to excel during their studies and prepare for life after graduation. Through a range of wraparound services, we are committed to addressing every aspect of student life, ensuring you not only succeed academically but also grow personally and professionally.

The FirstRand Empowerment Bursary aims to provide students with all the necessary resources that encourage them to stay in school and complete their Honours degree.

There are no cash stipends on the bursary:

  • Travel/Living Allowance: Students will receive a pay card from Feenix, and the monthly travel/living allowance is loaded onto the card every month
  • Food Vouchers: Students will receive SMSes monthly with voucher codes that can only be redeemed at selected stores
  • Airtime: Students will receive an sms with the airtime voucher monthly, which they can convert into data
  • Book Allowance: An account will be opened for students with our service provider, and students can go to the store and make purchases up to the value of the book allowance


This bursary is more than just financial aid – it’s an opportunity to gain the support and resources you need to achieve academic success and build a bright future.

Apply today to become part of this transformative programme!

Deadline for applications:
1 December 2025

Information and documents needed for application

  • Certified ID copy not older than 6 months (All information must be clear and legible)
  • Certified Matric Certificate
  • Certified Academic Records
  • Proof of provisional or final acceptance to Bachelor of Honors Degree
 
      For Students Living with a disability
  • EEA1 form
  • Valid Doctor’s note

Detailed Application criteria

  • Must be a South African citizen
  • Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time one year honors degree program.
  • The combined household income of the applicant must not exceed R700,000 per annum.
  • Applicants must be studying at one of South Africa’s 26 public universities.
  • A minimum of 60% in matric mathematics is required. Please note, Mathematical Literacy does not qualify.
  • Applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 35. Students turning 36 or older in 2026 are not eligible.
  • Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree between 2023 and 2025.
  • Only students pursuing their first postgraduate qualification are eligible.
  • An overall average of 60% or higher in the undergraduate degree is required for consideration.
  • Fields of study:
  • Accounting
  • Actuarial Science
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
  • Biosciences
  • Business Information
  • Climate Sciences
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Electronics
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Financial Management
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Information Management
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Renewable Energy
  • Risk
  • Sciences
  • Society and Sustainability
  • Statistics