Are you a Grade 12 learner or recent matriculant with a passion for shaping your future? The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, administered by StudyTrust, is offering bursaries to academically talented students starting first-year studies in 2027 at South African public universities.

This bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources, a monthly stipend, and a computer for first-year students — supporting you through your first undergraduate degree.

Degree Programmes Funded

Agricultural Sciences: All specialisations

Commercial Sciences: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Financial Management

Engineering: All specialisations

Environmental Sciences: Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy

Information Sciences: Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Management, Information Technology

Mathematical Sciences: Mathematics, Risk, Statistics

Natural Sciences: Biosciences, Electronics, Physics

Social Sciences and Law: Society and Sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Law

Arts: Psychology, Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Multimedia, Architecture, Art and Design

Health Sciences: Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Pharmacy

Selection Criteria

• Only Black South African citizens, as defined by the BBBEE Act, will be considered
• A minimum of level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12
• Applicants must not be older than 21 years in their first year of study
• Must have applied for and been provisionally admitted into a South African public traditional university for full-time studies in one of the degrees listed above
• Must be starting a first degree in 2027, and be currently in Grade 12 or have completed Grade 12 not more than 3 years ago
• Combined family gross annual income must not exceed R700,000

What the Bursary Covers

Tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources, a monthly stipend, and a computer for first-year students.

How to Apply

Applications must be completed on StudyTrust’s online application platform. Please read the instructions on the Bursary Applications page carefully before beginning your application — incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing Date

Applications are open from 01 June to 30 September.

About StudyTrust

StudyTrust is an educational trust and public benefit organisation connecting learners with potential to their study opportunities. With over 45 years of experience, StudyTrust has awarded more than R600 million in bursaries to over 21,000 students. StudyTrust is a Level 1 QSE B-BBEE Contributor, a registered Educational Trust, PBO tax exempt, an NSFAS NGO partner, a UNHCR Implementing Partner, and holds a Level One NPO Sustainability Rating.

Don’t miss this opportunity to secure funding for your future.

Apply Here