FirstRand and Toyota Student Bursaries 2027: Apply Before 30 September 2026 Deadline

A single application form. Two of South Africa's biggest employer names. And a closing date that is now just weeks away. If you are a matric learner waiting on your final results, or a first year student wondering how you will pay for 2027, the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary and the Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary are two of the most reliable funding routes open right now, and both are processed through the same administrator, StudyTrust, which means one online application can put you in the running for several funders at once.

Below is a complete, practical breakdown of what each bursary covers, who qualifies, what documents you need ready, and exactly how to apply before the 30 September 2026 cut off.

Who Is Behind These Bursaries

FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) is the corporate social investment arm of FirstRand Limited, the financial services group that owns First National Bank (FNB), Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), WesBank and Ashburton Investments. FREF funds undergraduate study in scarce skills fields as part of FirstRand's broader commitment to transformation and skills development in South Africa.

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is the country's largest vehicle manufacturer and one of the biggest employers in the automotive sector, with a manufacturing base in Durban that has been running for more than six decades. The Toyota Bursary Fund exists to build a talent pipeline between tertiary education and the company's graduate programme, giving successful applicants a direct line into the automotive and mobility industry.

Both bursaries are administered by StudyTrust, a registered educational trust and public benefit organisation that has facilitated tens of thousands of bursaries over the past 50 years. Applying through StudyTrust means your one submission is automatically screened against other StudyTrust-managed funders as well, including names like Standard Bank, Santam and Investec.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility differs slightly between the two funders, so check both carefully before you submit.

FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary

• You must have applied for and been provisionally admitted to a South African public university for full time study starting in 2027
• You must be a current Grade 12 learner, or have completed Grade 12 no more than three years ago
• Your family's combined gross annual income must not exceed R700,000

Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be studying, or planning to study, full time toward an approved qualification in Commerce, Engineering, Science or Information Technology
• You need a minimum of 65% in Matric Mathematics and 65% in Matric English
• If you are already at tertiary level, an overall academic average of at least 65% is required
• Strong leadership potential is considered as part of the selection process

What You Will Need Before You Apply

Getting your documents in order early is one of the simplest ways to avoid disqualification, since incomplete applications are routinely rejected. Prepare the following:

• A certified copy of your South African ID
• Your Matric certificate or latest Grade 12 results
• A full academic transcript from your tertiary institution, on the institution's official letterhead, if you are already studying
• Proof of your parents' or guardians' combined household income, which can be recent payslips, an affidavit if unemployed or self-employed, or a SASSA letter where a grant applies
• Proof of provisional admission to a South African public university for 2027 studies
• A motivational letter or personal statement outlining your financial need and career goals, where requested on the platform

How Much Funding Is On Offer

Coverage under the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Bursary is comprehensive rather than a fixed lump sum. Successful recipients typically receive funding for tuition fees, accommodation, meals, learning resources such as textbooks and, for first year students specifically, a laptop or computer, along with a monthly stipend to cover day to day living costs.

The Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary similarly funds tuition and related study costs for the duration of an approved qualification, and recipients are given practical work exposure during their studies rather than only a cash award, which sets it apart from many other corporate bursaries.

Exact stipend amounts and the full cost breakdown are confirmed once you are shortlisted, since funding is tailored to each recipient's specific institution, degree and financial need, so it is worth applying even if you are unsure of the precise figure in advance.

Approved Fields of Study

FirstRand Empowerment Foundation funds undergraduate degrees in:

• Commerce and Accounting related fields
• Engineering
• Information Sciences, including Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Management and Information Technology
• Mathematical Sciences, including Mathematics, Risk and Statistics
• Natural Sciences, including Biosciences and Electronics

Toyota South Africa Motors funds full time study in:

• Commerce, including Accounting (non CA route, covering Accounting, Taxation, Auditing and Management Accounting), Analytics, Economics, Environmental Science, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Law (LLB) and Marketing Management
• Engineering, including Chemical, Electrical, Civil, Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
• Science, including Business Science Analytics, Computer Science and Information Technology

Why This Bursary Is Worth Your Time

Beyond the financial relief, both programmes are designed to launch careers rather than simply cover fees.

FirstRand recipients gain access to a network within one of Africa's largest financial services groups, along with mentorship support that many bursary holders credit for helping them transition smoothly from student life into a professional role.

Toyota bursary holders are offered vacation work placements during their studies, giving them hands on exposure to the automotive and mobility sector well before graduation, and top performing recipients may be considered for entry into Toyota's flagship graduate programme once they complete their qualification. For students in engineering, commerce or IT fields who want a foot in the door at a major manufacturer, this combination of funding plus workplace exposure is difficult to match.

Step by Step: How to Apply

1. Confirm your eligibility against the criteria above for the specific bursary or bursaries you plan to target.
2. Gather your documents in advance, since the online system will reject incomplete submissions.
3. Go to the official StudyTrust application platform and register for an account if you do not already have one.
4. Complete the online application form in full, indicating clearly which bursary or bursaries you are applying for.
5. Upload all required documents as clear, legible scans or certified copies.
6. Submit before 30 September 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered, so build in a buffer of a few days in case of technical issues.
7. Track your application status through the StudyTrust portal and respond promptly to any follow up requests for information or interviews.

Applications for both bursaries typically open around June and remain open through the South African winter and spring, closing consistently on 30 September each year for the following academic year's intake.

Official Contact Details

For questions specific to either bursary, applicants are encouraged to contact StudyTrust directly rather than Toyota or FirstRand's general offices, since StudyTrust administers the full application and selection process on both funders' behalf.

• StudyTrust general enquiries: 011 403 1632
• Official application platform: studytrust.org.za
• Toyota South Africa Motors bursary information: available via the official Toyota South Africa Motors careers and bursary page

Always apply and communicate only through StudyTrust's official portal. Bursary administrators do not charge application fees, and any request for payment to "process" or "guarantee" your application is not a legitimate part of this programme.

Expert Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Apply as early as possible within the application window rather than waiting until the final days, since server load increases sharply close to the deadline
• Double check that every uploaded document is legible, since blurry or partial scans are a common reason for disqualification
• Be specific and honest in your motivational statement about your financial circumstances and your reasons for choosing your field of study
• If you qualify for both bursaries, or for other StudyTrust managed funders, make sure your single application clearly reflects your interest in each, since one submission is screened across multiple programmes
• Keep a personal record of your application reference number and submission date in case you need to follow up

Other Bursary Options Worth Exploring

If you are not certain you meet the criteria above, or simply want to widen your funding options, consider these alongside your FirstRand and Toyota applications:

• NSFAS, for students from households earning under R350,000 a year, with 2027 applications expected to open between September and November 2026
• ISFAP, aimed at the "missing middle", students who earn too much for NSFAS but still cannot afford university on their own, closing 31 October 2026
• Other StudyTrust managed funders, including Standard Bank, Santam and Investec, automatically considered as part of the same application
• Sector specific SETA bursaries and corporate programmes, such as those offered by mining, engineering and financial services companies, which often run on similar annual cycles

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an application fee for the FirstRand or Toyota bursaries? No. Both programmes are free to apply for through StudyTrust's official platform. Never pay anyone claiming to process or fast track your application.

Can I apply for both bursaries at the same time? Yes. Because both are administered by StudyTrust, one online application is automatically checked against all the funders you qualify for, including FirstRand and Toyota.

What happens after the 30 September 2026 deadline? Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances, so it is important to submit well before the closing date to allow time to resolve any technical or document issues.

Do I need to already be studying to apply? No. Matric learners who have been provisionally admitted to a South African public university for 2027 can apply, along with students who completed Grade 12 within the past three years.

Will I be told my funding amount before I accept the bursary? Full financial details, including any stipend and what is covered, are confirmed once you have been shortlisted and assessed, since funding is tailored to your specific institution and financial need.

Is work experience guaranteed with the Toyota bursary? Vacation work opportunities are offered to bursary holders during their studies, and strong performers may be considered for Toyota's graduate programme afterward, though placement is not automatically guaranteed to every recipient.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information from official bursary administrators and employer sources at the time of writing. Bursary criteria, funding amounts, application dates and available fields of study can change without notice. Applicants should always verify the latest requirements, deadlines and application steps directly on StudyTrust's official platform or the relevant employer's official careers page before applying or making any study or financial decisions. Neither the author nor this publication is affiliated with FirstRand, Toyota South Africa Motors or StudyTrust, and no payment or guaranteed outcome should ever be promised or requested as part of a legitimate bursary application.

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