FirstRand Empowerment Foundation

About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation is the philanthropic arm of FirstRand Limited. FirstRand is the financial group behind First National Bank (FNB), RMB and WesBank. The Foundation focuses on helping Black South African students enter and succeed at university.

It runs its bursary programme separately from FNB's own graduate recruitment bursaries. StudyTrust, a bursary administrator, manages applications and support on the Foundation's behalf. Therefore, you apply through the StudyTrust website, not through a bank branch.

How the Foundation supports students

The Foundation concentrates on first-year students. The reason is practical. The move from matric to university is when many young people drop out, so funding at that point can change a whole career. The programme backs studies in Commerce, Engineering and Science or Technology fields.

Published information describes a broad package. Funding has covered tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources and a monthly stipend. First-year students have also received a computer. Together, these items cover many of the hidden costs that cause students to struggle.

The income limit is also notable. Recent calls set a combined gross household income ceiling of R700,000 a year. That is high compared with many bursaries. As a result, the programme reaches the "missing middle": families that earn too much for full NSFAS support but still struggle to pay for university.

What to know before applying

Recent criteria asked for the following. Applicants must be Black South African citizens as defined in the B-BBEE Act. They need a minimum of level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12 and must be no older than 21 in their first year of study. They must also have applied to, and been provisionally admitted at, a South African public traditional university for full-time study. Learners who finished Grade 12 within the last three years could also qualify.

These details can change between intakes, so read the current advert on the StudyTrust page before you apply. Early applications help, because the programme has limited places.

The available information does not describe an employment work-back obligation for this bursary, unlike many corporate awards. Even so, read the terms in your agreement carefully if you receive an offer.

Prepare your documents in advance. These usually include a certified ID copy, school results, proof of household income and proof of admission. Never pay a fee to apply, and only use the official StudyTrust site.

It also helps to understand where this bursary sits among your options. Because it targets first-year students, it suits a learner who is about to start university rather than one who is already halfway through a degree. If you miss the age or timing rules, look at other funders, such as university bursaries, NSFAS or employer programmes. In short, treat this foundation as one strong option, and keep a back-up plan ready while you wait for an outcome.