FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary South Africa

Boost your postgraduate journey with the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary for 2025! FREF supports South Africans who completed their undergraduate degrees and want to study a full-time Honours year in high-demand fields. This bursary covers study costs and recognizes your academic potential. At BursaryForms, we are your guide to success!

About the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is part of the FirstRand Group’s B-BBEE strategy, founded in 2005. It aims to reduce inequalities by offering financial support to students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. FREF provides bursaries for Honours (and other postgraduate) studies, aligned with fields of national priority. At BursaryForms, we are thrilled to connect you with this opportunity!

Fields Covered by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary

Ready to align your passion with a thriving career? The bursary supports these fields:

  • Accounting
  • Actuarial Science
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
  • Biosciences
  • Business Information
  • Climate Sciences
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Electronics
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Financial Management
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Information Management / Science / Systems / Technology
  • Law
  • Mathematical Sciences / Mathematics / Statistics
  • Physics
  • Renewable Energy
  • Risk Sciences
  • Society & Sustainability

Expenses Covered by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary

This bursary is your ticket to success, covering essentials such as:

  • Tuition fees for the Honours degree.
  • Textbooks or learning material.
  • Accommodation & meals (if needed / depending on university).
  • Transport or travel allowance depending on what the bursary specifies.
  • Monthly stipend / living allowance.

Eligibility Requirements for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary

Think you have got what it takes? Here is what you need to qualify for this opportunity:

  • Must be a South African citizen.
  • Age between 21 and 35 years.
  • Must have completed Matric with at least 60% in Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy does not qualify).
  • Must have completed an undergraduate degree between 2022 and 2024.
  • Must enrol in a full-time, one-year Honours degree programme in 2025.
  • This must be your first postgraduate qualification.
  • Must attend a public university in South Africa.
  • Must have achieved a minimum overall average of 60% in your undergraduate degree.
  • Combined gross family income not exceeding R600,000 per annum.

We are supporting you at BursaryForms! Expert tips:

  • Make sure your academic transcripts are up to date and certified.
  • Your Honours acceptance or provisional acceptance letter must be ready.
  • Collect proof of household income early—it often causes delays.
  • Submit the EEA1 form correctly (Employment Equity / labour form required).
  • Watch the deadline year closely so you do not miss the application period. Late applications are not accepted.

This page was updated on September 26, 2025 to provide the most current bursary information.

Indicate “www.bursaryforms.co.za” when asked how you heard about this bursary.

How to Apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary

Start by downloading and completing the official application form:

FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary Application Form 2025

Strengthen your application with these must-have documents (certified copies, please!):

  • South African ID document (certified, not older than six months)
  • Matric certificate (certified copy)
  • Academic records / latest transcript from your undergraduate degree
  • Proof of acceptance or provisional acceptance into the Honours programme
  • Proof of household income (parents/guardians) via payslips, affidavits, or bank statements etc.
  • EEA1 form (labour / employment equity form)

Applications must be submitted via: online submission through the FREF bursary portal (Feenix)

Related Bursaries in South Africa

Apply for multiple bursaries in South Africa to increase your chances of receiving funding this year.

Closing Date for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary

15 January 2025

This date has passed—applications for the 2025 Honours bursary are no longer accepted.

Contact the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation

Got questions? We are all about empowering you—reach out to the provider for answers:

FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF)
Tel/Email: via the Feenix bursary portal contact page (use “Feenix – FirstRand Honours Bursary” query)
Website: https://frefbursary.feenix.org/apply/

Frequently Asked Questions

Click each question to see its answer about the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary.

1. Who can apply for the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Honours Bursary?+
South African citizens aged 21-35, with an undergraduate degree completed between 2022-2024, pursuing a full-time Honours degree as first postgraduate qualification.
2. What fields of study are eligible under this bursary?+
Accounting; Actuarial Science; Agricultural Sciences; BA Honours Arts (Psychology); Biosciences; Business Information; Climate Sciences; Computer Science; Data Science; Economics; Electronics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences; Financial Management; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; Information Management; Information Science; Information Systems; Information Technology; Law; Mathematical Sciences; Mathematics; Physics; Renewable Energy; Risk; Society & Sustainability; Statistics.
3. What academic results do I need?+
You need at least 60% in Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) in Matric; plus an overall average of at least 60% in your undergraduate degree.
4. Is financial need considered?+
Yes. Your combined gross family income must not exceed R600,000 per annum.
5. Do I have to be studying at a public university?+
Yes. The programme is for students enrolled in full-time honours at South Africa’s public universities.
6. Is this bursary for first postgraduate qualification only?+
Yes. The bursary is only for your first postgraduate qualification—i.e. your Honours year.
7. What documents must I submit?+
You’ll need certified ID; Matric certificate; full academic record; Honours acceptance; proof of family income; and the EEA1 form.
8. When was the closing date?+
15 January 2025. That application window is closed.
9. How do I apply?+
You apply online via Feenix (the FREF Honours bursary application portal). Make sure to attach all required documents.
10. Can students older than 35 apply?+
No. Applicants must be 35 or younger. If you turn 36 during the year, eligibility may be lost.