The Absa CSI Trust (Empowerment Trust) has appointed the Feenix Trust to run a Graduate Historical Debt Relief Intervention. The aim is to clear historical university debt for eligible graduates who have completed their studies but are unable to receive their qualification due to outstanding fees.
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: Absa CSI Trust (Empowerment Trust), administered by the Feenix Trust
- Opportunity type: Historical student debt relief (graduate debt clearance)
- Who it’s for: Eligible South African graduates from selected public universities (see eligibility)
- Closing date: 31 March 2026
- Last verified: 25 February 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
- This is NOT for current-year fees. The programme is strictly for historical debt that is preventing you from receiving your qualification.
- Only selected public universities qualify (listed below). TVET colleges and international institutions are not included.
- Eligibility includes employment and enrolment status: applicants must be unemployed and not enrolled for studies (as stated on the programme page).
- Document quality matters: Feenix specifies strict upload rules (scanned copies, no password protection, legible and not cut off).
About the sponsor
The Absa CSI Trust funds social impact initiatives, including education-related support. For this programme, Feenix executes the application, verification and debt clearance process on behalf of Absa CSI Trust.
Read more about this initiative on the official ABSA page: Programme page (Absa CSI Trust on Feenix)
What it covers
This intervention is designed to settle verified historical debt with the relevant university so that eligible graduates can receive their qualification. Payments are intended for debt clearance and are handled through the programme’s verification and disbursement process (as per Feenix’s platform rules). It does not cover current-year fees.
Eligibility
- South African citizen.
- Studied at one of the selected public universities below.
- Completed studies but unable to graduate / receive qualification due to historical debt.
- Unemployed and not enrolled for studies (as stated).
- Combined annual household income: R700,000 or less.
- Qualification focus: STEM qualifications aligned to the Digital Economy and the Green Economy (as stated).
Selected universities (as listed)
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Johannesburg
- University of Limpopo
- University of Pretoria
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- University of Venda
- University of Zululand
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
Documents to prepare (as required on the application page)
- Certified ID copy (certified within the last 6 months) — scanned copy, clear and readable, not password-protected, not cut off.
- Letter of completion / proof of registration (final year / completed qualification) — official university letterhead or stamp, clear and legible, not password-protected.
- EEA1 form (official template) — complete it electronically and use your student number as the “Employee Number”, then save as PDF/Word (not password-protected).
Closing date
31 March 2026 (as listed on the Feenix Bursaries landing page for this project). Apply early so there is enough time for verification.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for current-year funding (this programme is for historical debt only).
- Submitting an uncertified or older-than-6-months ID copy.
- Uploading photos/screenshots instead of a clear scanned document.
- Leaving the EEA1 form incomplete, or not using your student number as “Employee Number”.
- Applying while employed or currently studying (the programme page states these are not eligible).
- Applying if your university is not on the selected list.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified by us using the official Feenix Bursaries pages for the Absa CSI Trust Graduate Historical Debt Relief Intervention, including the programme information page, the application guidance page, and the official application form page.
How to apply
- Open the “Apply” information page and read the document requirements carefully.
- Click “Apply now” and complete the online form (personal details, eligibility confirmation, academic info, household income verification and uploads).
- Upload your documents (ID copy, EEA1 form and letter of completion/proof of registration).
- Submit and keep proof of submission.