How to Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Bursary

This guide will walk you through the process of applying for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Bursary for the 2027 academic year. This process is for South African students who are Black (African, Coloured, or Indian) and are pursuing their first full-time, one-year Honours degree in selected STEM or Psychology fields. By following these steps, you can successfully submit your application and be considered for funding that can cover tuition, accommodation, travel, and more. Before you begin, ensure you meet the basic eligibility criteria: you must be between 18 and 35 years old on December 31, 2027, have a combined household income of no more than R700,000 per annum, and have achieved at least 60% in NSC Mathematics and a 60% average in your undergraduate degree. You will also need specific documents ready, which will be detailed in the steps below.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Before starting the application, carefully review all eligibility requirements to ensure you qualify. This step is crucial to avoid wasting time on an application that won’t be considered.

• Citizenship: You must be a South African citizen.
• Race: You must be Black (African, Coloured, or Indian) as defined by the B-BBEE Act.
• Age: You must be between 18 and 35 years old on December 31, 2027.
• Academic Level: You must be entering your first full-time, one-year Honours degree in 2027 at a minimum NQF Level 8.
• Field of Study: Your Honours degree must be in one of the eligible STEM or Psychology fields listed in the bursary details.
• Academic Performance: You need at least 60% for NSC Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) and a minimum average of 60% in your undergraduate degree.
• Institution: You must be studying at a recognised and accredited public university in South Africa.
• Household Income: Your combined household income must not exceed R700,000 per annum.

Outcome: You will have a clear understanding of whether you meet the fundamental criteria for the FREF Bursary.

Mistake to Avoid: Assuming you are eligible without double-checking every single requirement, especially the specific academic percentages and age limits.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary supporting documents before you begin the online application. Having these ready will make the process smoother and prevent last-minute rushes.

Use a bulleted list to present the required documents. This makes them easy to scan and check off.

• Identification: Certified copy of your South African ID (certification not older than six months).
• Matric Certificate: Certified copy of your Matric certificate.
• Academic Record: Certified complete undergraduate academic record.
• Acceptance Letter: Provisional or final Honours acceptance letter, if available.
• Proof of Household Income: This varies based on parents’/guardians’ employment status:
• Employed: Latest payslips.
• Unemployed: An affidavit.
• Self-Employed: An affidavit confirming annual income or recent audited financial statements/three months’ bank statements.
• Grant Recipients: A SASSA letter confirming grants.
• Household Member IDs: ID numbers of the applicant and all household members.
• Disability Documentation (if applicable): Completed EEA1 form and a valid doctor’s note.

Outcome: You will have all the documents prepared and ready for upload.

Mistake to Avoid: Submitting uncertified copies, outdated certifications, or incomplete proof of income. Ensure all documents are clear, readable, and in PDF format, not exceeding 5MB each.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

Navigate to the FREF bursary application platform and fill out the online form accurately and completely. Pay close attention to each section.

• Access the Platform: Go to the provided application link (e.g., https://bursaries.feenix.org/fref/apply-now/).
• Personal Details: Enter your personal information, including ID numbers for yourself and household members.
• Academic Information: Provide details about your undergraduate studies and your intended Honours programme.
• Financial Information: Input your combined household income details, supported by the documents you gathered.
• Referral Source: When asked how you heard about the bursary, you can enter ‘www.zabursaries.co.za’ as indicated in the application guidance.

Outcome: A fully completed online application form is submitted.

Mistake to Avoid: Leaving any required fields blank, providing incorrect information, or not carefully reviewing your entries before submission. Double-check all details, especially names, dates, and financial figures.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload all the required documents that you gathered in Step 2 to the online application portal. Ensure they meet the specified format and size requirements.

• Format: All documents must be uploaded in PDF format.
• Size Limit: Each PDF file must not exceed 5MB.
• Clarity: Ensure that all uploaded documents are clear, legible, and accurately represent the information.

Use a bulleted list to remind the reader of the document types to upload, referencing Step 2.

• Certified ID
• Certified Matric Certificate
• Certified Undergraduate Academic Record
• Acceptance Letter (if available)
• Proof of Household Income (payslips, affidavits, etc.)
• Household Member ID numbers
• Disability Documentation (if applicable)

Outcome: All necessary documents are successfully uploaded to your application.

Mistake to Avoid: Uploading documents in the wrong format (e.g., JPG instead of PDF), exceeding the file size limit, or uploading blurry or incomplete documents. Missing compulsory documents can lead to disqualification.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Once you have completed the online form and uploaded all your documents, submit your application before the closing date.

• Final Review: Before clicking submit, do one last review of your entire application, including all uploaded documents, to catch any errors.
• Submission: Click the final submit button on the application platform.
• Confirmation: Look for a confirmation message or email indicating that your application has been received.

Outcome: Your complete application for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary is submitted.

Mistake to Avoid: Submitting the application after the closing date of December 31, 2026. Ensure you submit well in advance to avoid any technical issues or last-minute problems.

Step 6: Await Selection Process Results

After submitting your application, the next step is to wait for the FREF team to review applications and contact shortlisted candidates.

• Timeline: Shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted by the first week of January 2027.
• Follow-up: If you do not receive any communication by this time, you should consider your application unsuccessful for this cycle.

Outcome: You will be informed whether you have been shortlisted for further consideration or if your application was unsuccessful.

Mistake to Avoid: Repeatedly contacting the FREF for updates before the expected notification period. Patience is key during the selection process. Also, do not assume you have been successful without official confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions