FirstRand International is a financial services firm in South Africa founded in the year 1998. The South African Reserve Bank licenses it, and its main headquarters is in Johannesburg. It currently has more than 40,000 staff members. The FirstRand group was initially established by merging RMB Holdings and the Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Limited. The portfolio includes transactional, insurance, lending, and investment products, and it has operations in 8 other African countries.
FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships 2026
For the Academic Year 2026, the FirstRand group offering five scholarships for international postgraduate studies to South African citizens. These scholarships include:
- FirstRand FNB Fund Oxford Education Scholarship – for a masters degree in education
- FirstRand FNB Fund Scholarship – for international postgraduate study in education
- FirstRand Foundation Scholarship – for international postgraduate study
- FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship – for international postgraduate study in any discipline at an international university.
- FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship – to the University of Oxford
Interested applicants should consider the following essential points:
- Applicants must complete their applications for the scholarships online, and it must include the required reference letters and other necessary documents.
- Interested applicants must have already applied to the university of their choice directly by submitting their application.
- The adjudication panels will treat all applications in the strictest confidence.
- The decisions made by the adjudication panels are all final, and any correspondence regarding these decisions won’t get entertained.
- The adjudication panels reserve the right not to award either one of these scholarships.
- All late applications won’t get accepted.
FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships 2026 Requirements and Eligibility
For interested applicants to qualify, they must have excelled academically in their chosen field of study. They should also demonstrate:
- Strength of character
- Leadership qualities
- Community involvement
- The potential to be someone who can inspire change in their chosen field
Applicants who have studied or are currently studying overseas aren’t eligible for this scholarship. Also, successful applicants must return to South Africa for at least five years after the completion of their studies.
How to Apply and Application Details
Applicants must complete their applications for the scholarships online at https://bursaries.firstrand.co.za/.
Before you can begin with the application process, you will need to Register an Account and then Login and proceed with your application.
Prepare the following supporting documentation ready to submit it along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):
- Copy of your ID document
- Photo of face
- Copy of your Matric results
- Minimum of 2 references (people whom you have worked under in an academic setting or in another area of interest). Confidential references can be emailed from the referee to: firstrandpgscholarship@firstrand.co.za and clearly marked with your name (or can accompany your application form).
- A personal statement explaining why you deserve to be awarded this scholarship (max. 1 000 words)
The applicants will receive confirmation notices, which they will receive through email upon receipt of their application. The applications will get evaluated by a minimum of 3 preliminary evaluators from FirstRand, RMB, TSI, FNB, and those who have won the scholarship in the past.
From these evaluators, a list of around 40 applicants will get interviewed in person either in Sandton or Cape Town. If the situation doesn’t allow face-to-face interviews (because of COVID), they will be electronically interviewed via Microsoft Teams.
Out of this list, four shortlisted candidates will get selected for the two educational scholarships. The candidates should attend their final interviews in Sandton on May 14, 2026.
The ten shortlisted candidates will get selected for the FirstRand Foundation International Postgraduate Scholarships, the FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship, and FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar. The selected applicants should attend their final interviews in Sandton on May 18, 2026. A final announcement will come out before the end of May 2026.
Opening and Closing Date
Applications open on 16 December 2026 and close on 4 March 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Contact Details
Address: 4 Merchant Place, Corner Fredman Drive and Rivonia Road, Sandton
Telephone #: +2711 282 1808
Email Address: firstrandpgscholarship@firstrand.co.za
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
- Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).
📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
If you’re studying:
- Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
- Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.
📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
-
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
-
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
-
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.
🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (if living away from home)
- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
- Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
- Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.
You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.