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FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Postgraduate Bursary

Communications

Closing Date: 2026/12/31

Qualification: The FREF Bursary supports first Honours degrees at NQF Level 8 within the eligible STEM and Psychology fields.

Actuarial Science, Agricultural Sciences, BA Honours Arts (Psychology), Biosciences, Climate Sciences, Computer Sciences, Data Sciences, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Information Management, Information Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Renewable Energy Sciences, Society and Sustainability, Statistics

About The Bursary
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation partners with Feenix to connect academic promise with practical opportunity. The bursary combines financial assistance with wraparound services so recipients can focus on completing their studies and building a sustainable future.
Funding is not a guarantee at the initial eligibility stage. Every complete application is reviewed against the final programme rules and available bursary places.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be a Black South African citizen, in accordance with the B-BBEE Act.
  • Be aged 18–35 as at 31 December 2027.
  • Be applying to study your first Honours degree in 2027.
  • Be studying in an eligible STEM or Psychology field.
  • Have achieved a minimum 60% average in your undergraduate degree.
  • Have achieved a minimum 60% for NSC Mathematics.
  • Have a combined household income of R700,000 or less per year.
  • Meet the admission requirements of your chosen institution and qualification.
  • The FREF 2027 Bursary is for students who will be studying towards their first Honours degree in 2027.
  • You must be applying to study your first full-time Honours degree in 2027 and meet all other FREF eligibility criteria.
NB: No. Commerce-related qualifications are not eligible for the FREF Bursary.
What does it cover:
Successful students may receive support towards:
  • Full tuition fees
  • Accommodation, up to the applicable FREF accommodation threshold
  • Monthly travelling stipends
  • Book allowance
  • Food and Airtime vouchers
  • Additional student support and development services
After applications close, eligible applications go through a screening and verification process. You may be contacted if additional information or documentation is required.
Being eligible to apply does not guarantee that you will receive funding.
You may submit your application where permitted, but you may need to provide your provisional or final acceptance documentation during the screening process.
The FREF Bursary is an exclusive funding opportunity, and double-dipping is not permitted.
If you receive funding from another organisation or funding source, you will not be eligible to receive FREF funding. You are required to disclose any other funding you have received or secured.
The FREF Bursary is intended for eligible studies at recognised South African institutions. Please ensure that your institution and qualification meet the programme requirements.
If you need assistance, please contact the Feenix team through the support channels provided on the website.
Before contacting the team, we recommend reviewing the eligibility criteria and FAQ section to see whether your question has already been answered.
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