FirstRand Empowerment Foundation: Bursaries 2026
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation offers bursaries to first-year students pursuing various degree programmes at traditional public universities. These funded degree programmes are aligned with the critical skills needs of the country, FirstRand’s focus areas, and social investing priorities.
The selection criteria emphasize proven academic potential and a family income not exceeding R600,000 per year. Current Grade 12 learners are encouraged to apply for this prestigious opportunity, as well as those who completed Grade 12 within the last three years.
Degree Programmes Funded:
- Agricultural Sciences: All specialisations
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Economics
- Financial Management
- Engineering: All specialisations
- Environmental Sciences: Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy
- Business Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Information Systems
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Risk
- Statistics
- Biosciences
- Electronics
- Physics
- Society and Sustainability
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Law
- Psychology
Note: The bursary covers the first undergraduate degree. If a postgraduate qualification (PGD or Honours degree) is necessary for employment opportunities, such as in accounting and actuarial science, funding for a postgraduate qualification will also be considered.
What the Bursary Covers:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Learning Resources
- A monthly stipend
- A computer for first-year students
Selection Criteria:
- Applicants must have obtained a minimum of level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12.
- Applicants must not be older than 21 years in their first year of study.
- Applicants must have applied for and been provisionally admitted into a South African public traditional university for full-time studies in the specified degrees.
- Only applicants starting their first degree in 2026, who are currently in Grade 12 or have completed Grade 12 within the last three years, will be considered.
- Only applicants from families with a combined gross annual income of up to R600,000 will be considered.
- Only South African citizens will be eligible.