Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Open
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- Black South African citizen
- In Grade 12, or completed Grade 12 within the past 3 years
- Under 21 in first year of study
- Minimum Level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12
- Provisional admission to a public traditional university
- Combined family gross annual income up to R700,000
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Grade 12 results showing Mathematics Level 5 or higher
- Proof of provisional admission to a public traditional university
- Proof of household income
About FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary is funded by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, the philanthropic arm of FirstRand Limited, and is aimed squarely at first-year Black South African students in Commerce, Engineering, and Science and Technology.
Because the Foundation targets first-year entrants specifically, this bursary competes directly with dozens of other first-year-only programmes closing on the same 30 September date - a strong, specific motivation letter explaining your household's financial circumstances in concrete terms (not just "we can't afford university") genuinely helps you stand out in that crowded field.
Funding Details
The bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources, a monthly stipend, and a computer provided in your first year.
Where You Can Study
Only South African public traditional universities qualify - universities of technology and private institutions are not covered by this specific bursary.
About FirstRand Empowerment Foundation
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation is the philanthropic arm of FirstRand Limited, the banking group behind First National Bank (FNB), RMB, and WesBank. It runs its bursary programme independently of FNB's own graduate-…
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
You must be a Black South African citizen, currently in Grade 12 or having completed it within the past three years, under 21 in your first year of study, with at least a Level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12. You must have applied for and received provisional admission to a South African public traditional university, and your family's combined gross annual income must not exceed R700,000.
That R700,000 threshold is set deliberately high to capture the "missing middle" - families who don't qualify for NSFAS but still can't comfortably fund a degree - so don't assume you're over the income limit without actually checking your household's combined figure.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can second-year students apply?
No, this bursary is for students entering their first year of university only.
Does it cover universities of technology?
No, only public traditional universities qualify.
What income threshold applies?
Combined family gross annual income of up to R700,000 - a relatively high threshold set to capture families who don't qualify for NSFAS but still can't easily afford university.
Is there a work-back requirement?
No, unlike FNB's own graduate bursaries, this Foundation bursary carries no employment contract.
