The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 is open for 2027 applications through StudyTrust. This revised draft includes the sponsor-owned link where available, while keeping StudyTrust as the official application administrator.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation / StudyTrust
Opportunity type: Undergraduate bursary
Who it’s for: Black South African citizens starting a first undergraduate degree in 2027
Study fields: Agricultural Sciences, Commercial Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Information Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Law, Arts, Health Sciences
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Last verified: 1 June 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
Applications must be completed through StudyTrust’s official online process. The sponsor-owned link is included for background and verification, but the bursary application itself should be completed through StudyTrust unless the official StudyTrust page states otherwise.
About the sponsor
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation supports public benefit activities aimed at reducing poverty and inequality and expanding access to education. StudyTrust administers the bursary application process.
Sponsor/entity link: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation
What it covers
Tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources, a monthly stipend and a computer for first-year students.
Eligibility
- Only Black South African citizens, as defined by the BBBEE Act, will be considered
- Must have obtained at least Level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12
- Must not be older than 21 years in the first year of study
- Must have applied for and been provisionally admitted to a South African public traditional university for full-time study
- Must be starting a first degree in 2027 and be in Grade 12 or have completed Grade 12 not more than 3 years ago
- Combined gross annual family income must be up to R700,000
Documents to prepare
- Certified ID
- Latest academic results
- Proof of provisional university admission or application status
- Proof of household income
- Any documents requested on the StudyTrust platform
Closing date
30 September 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a field, year of study or institution type not covered by the specific bursary
- Submitting an incomplete StudyTrust application
- Leaving out certified ID, academic or household-income documents
- Ignoring local residence rules where the bursary is community-based
- Waiting until the final week, when the StudyTrust platform may be busy
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against the sponsor/entity link where available and the current StudyTrust bursary page. StudyTrust confirms that its 2027 application platform opened on 1 June 2026 and that most applications close on 30 September 2026.
How to apply
- Open the StudyTrust bursary page for this programme.
- Review the programme-specific eligibility criteria.
- Prepare your ID, academic records, income documents and any local-residence proof if required.
- Complete the StudyTrust online application process.
- Submit before the closing date.