FEM Bursary Programme 2027

Passing first year proves you can do the academic work. It does not automatically pay for second year. The FEM Bursary Programme 2027 supports qualifying continuing undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need and academic potential.

FEM is a South African mutual insurer serving the construction sector. Its education investment aims to develop future professionals connected to Engineering, the Built Environment and Health Sciences.

The programme targets financially disadvantaged, academically capable students. FEM—not Edupstairs—determines which institutions, qualifications and applicants qualify. Review FEM’s bursary information and FAQs before applying.

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be accepted at a FEM-approved institution or a South African public university.
• Have no outstanding university fees from previous academic years.
• Study in Engineering / the Built Environment or Health Sciences.
• Have successfully completed your first year of undergraduate study; first-year entrants and postgraduate students are excluded.
• Demonstrate a good academic record; the advert gives no fixed mark percentage.
• Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are preferred.
• Combined annual household income must be R360,000 or less.

Do not invent additional conditions: the vacancy does not publish a universal age limit, minimum APS score, 70% threshold, specific university list or numeric number of available bursaries.

A first-year entrant planning to begin university in 2027 does not meet the successfully-completed-first-year requirement. A current first-year student may become eligible only if the first academic year has been successfully completed and FEM accepts the evidence before its application deadline. Do not assume pending exam results will be accepted.

The 2027 vacancy excludes postgraduate students. FEM’s FAQ also says the bursary is for a student’s first undergraduate diploma or degree, not a second completed qualification.

The official advert names three broad areas rather than a detailed list of named degree programmes. The examples below are Edupstairs career-exploration examples, not a FEM-approved course list.

To research academic courses use the University Explorer and the Career & Qualification Explorer. The institution’s own prospectus and FEM are the final authorities on eligibility.

FEM allows South African public university study and study at other institutions specifically approved by FEM. Its FAQ says a private institution may qualify only when FEM approves that institution. A private college or TVET institution is not automatically covered merely because it offers an accredited qualification.

Use the University Explorer to investigate universities and the TVET College Explorer to research alternate study routes. The latter does not mean this bursary finances any TVET course.

The combined household income must not exceed R360,000 a year. That is an annual ceiling, not an automatic entitlement to an award. Document income honestly for every household member described in FEM’s terms. Do not misstate allowances, informal trading earnings or pension payments.

Illustration only: a combined household income of R25,000 per month equals R300,000 over 12 months; a combined income of R32,000 per month equals R384,000. FEM decides what evidence and household members count. Use the Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker for independent preparation, not official approval.

FEM requires applicants to be in good financial standing with their university. FEM’s FAQ clarifies that unpaid fees from earlier academic years will not be covered under the bursary. If a student has historical debt, they should seek official university financial-aid advice instead of assuming FEM will settle it.

Do not advertise accommodation, meals or a laptop as guaranteed benefits. Applicants should seek written details of the award and the costs covered if shortlisted.

FEM’s programme FAQ states that dual funding is not permitted: an applicant cannot combine FEM with another partial bursary to cover the remaining costs. Disclose all existing support truthfully and seek FEM clarification before accepting any conflicting award.

FEM describes its bursary in its FAQ as non-reimbursable and states graduates are not obliged to work for FEM after completing their studies. However, annual renewal is conditional on academic success, community service participation/completion and FEM’s discretion. Review the written agreement before accepting an award.

1. Open the official FEM full-time study 2027 vacancy.
2. Read eligibility and the terms on the official employer page.
3. Complete the short initial online questionnaire accurately.
4. Keep your contact details active and check correspondence from FEM or its authorised recruitment system.
5. If shortlisted for further consideration, complete the FEM bursary form you receive; do not download an unrelated older application form.

Answering the questionnaire is the first stage, not a confirmed bursary award. No guaranteed selection outcome or response timetable is published.

FEM states that candidates shortlisted after the online questionnaire will receive the bursary application form. Complete every applicable section and attach the supporting documents FEM requests, by 16 November 2026. If asked to supply something after that date, follow verified direct instructions from FEM; the public advert itself gives 16 November as the closing date.

A properly prepared set of records matters because the second stage can require evidence covering the full household, not only the applicant.

• Valid South African identity document. For a person younger than 16 without a green barcoded ID or smart ID card, the terms specify a certified unabridged birth certificate.
• Identity document(s) of parent(s) or household legal guardian.
• Most recent official academic record; FEM’s terms request a certified record evidencing good standing.
• FEM bursary application form supplied to shortlisted applicants.
• Recent pay slips for parents/guardians, not older than three months, for each applicable source of employment or income.
• Social grant documents, where applicable.
• Official pension slip or bank statement showing pension payment for retired parent/guardian, where applicable.
• Affidavit confirming informal trading or unemployment/no proof of income, with truthful source of maintenance/allowance, where applicable.
• Affidavit where a parent is absent or does not provide financial support or maintenance, where applicable.
• Certified death certificate for a deceased parent, where applicable.
• Divorce certificate, where applicable.
• Registration proof for any household dependent identified as a tertiary student.

Certification rule: all certified copies must be less than three months old. FEM’s terms identify the SAPS or South African Post Office as possible certification points. Keep personal records off public social platforms and submit only through verified FEM instructions.

No family structure should be forced into a false “employed” or “unemployed” answer. FEM has separate evidence routes: unemployment/no income affidavit; informal-trader affidavit; pension evidence; affidavit for an absent non-supporting parent; or death/divorce documentation where relevant. Explain real circumstances and include supporting documents as prescribed.

1. Applying as a new first-year student or a postgraduate candidate.
2. Ignoring previous unpaid university fees or hiding existing bursary funding.
3. Treating an unapproved institution or study field as automatically eligible.
4. Reporting household income without supporting documentation.
5. Waiting until the last day to request affidavits or certificates—or uploading identity documents to unofficial pages.

The closing date is real, not fabricated urgency. Candidates should account for the shortlisting/form stage and avoid incomplete or misleading submissions.

Explore your long-term options with Career Discovery, Career & Qualification Explorer and National Skills Intelligence Explorer. These provide career interest, qualification and occupational evidence—not a prediction of FEM’s selection decision.

Compare education routes in the University Explorer and TVET College Explorer. Explore occupational training through the SETA Platform and provider information in QCTO Accredited Training Providers. For a later graduate job search, prepare a factual CV using the ATS CV & Cover Letter Assistant. None of those tools replaces FEM’s official form.

Ask yourself: Am I a citizen? Have I completed first year? Is my first undergraduate qualification in an approved field? Is the institution approved? Are past tuition fees fully settled? Is household income within R360,000? Is my academic record good? Can I prove my household circumstances?

For general comparison use the Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker. Its result is only independent Edupstairs guidance and must never be presented as a FEM certificate, decision or guarantee.

These are separate bursaries with their own published dates, course lists and application requirements. Some may already be closed; read the specific advert before attempting an application.

• Council for Geoscience (CGS) Full-Time Bursary Programme 2027 — Geoscience and related higher education; different fields and requirements.
• Vhembe District Municipality Mayor’s Bursary Programme 2027 — For qualifying Vhembe residents; unlike FEM, includes a matric pathway.
• Takealot & Services SETA Bursary Programme 2027 — Unemployed-student bursary information; the 2027 application window is not independently confirmed.
• Land Bank Bursary Programme 2027 — Agricultural qualifications and different eligibility and deadline.
• City of Ekurhuleni Community Bursaries 2027 — Local-residency requirements apply.
• CETA TVET & CET Lecturer Bursaries 2026/2027 — For employed TVET and CET lecturers, not a general undergraduate bursary.
• Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 — Related technical studies; advertised closing date has passed as of 13 November 2026.

Discover other funding options on the Latest Edupstairs Bursaries hub.

1. What is the FEM Bursary 2027 deadline? 16 November 2026. The vacancy does not specify a closing time.
2. Can Grade 12 learners apply? No, not for this intake: students must have successfully completed their first year of undergraduate study.
3. Can a first-year university student apply? Only if the first year has been successfully completed and FEM accepts the evidence; the published requirement excludes students who have not yet completed first year.
4. Can postgraduate students apply? No, the 2027 listing excludes postgraduate studies.
5. Can private-university students apply? Only at a FEM-approved institution; obtain confirmation for the specific institution and qualification.
6. Does FEM cover TVET studies? The advert does not announce universal TVET eligibility. FEM must approve the institution and field.
7. What is the maximum household income? R360,000 combined annual income.
8. Is a 70% average required? No specific universal academic percentage is provided in the advert; it asks for a good academic record.
9. Can FEM pay historical university debt? No. The FAQ says fees from previous academic years are not covered.
10. Is accommodation guaranteed? No. FEM determines accommodation and meals solely at its discretion.
11. Is there a monthly stipend? Yes, but no rand amount is specified in the 2027 vacancy.
12. Can I also receive another partial bursary? FEM’s FAQ says dual funding is not allowed.
13. Is the bursary repayable? FEM’s FAQ characterises it as non-reimbursable, subject to bursary conditions.
14. Must graduates work at FEM? No compulsory post-graduation work obligation is described in FEM’s FAQ.
15. What if my parent is unemployed? Supply a truthful affidavit and maintenance/income evidence per the official terms.
16. How old may certified copies be? They must not be older than three months.
17. Where do I apply? Use the official FEM Simplify vacancy questionnaire, then complete the separate form if shortlisted.
18. Is there an application fee? The official advert does not list an application fee. Do not pay unauthorised agents.
19. Is a CV compulsory? The specific listed document pack does not name a CV. Complete the official questionnaire and provide the requested form and documents.
20. Will meeting all criteria guarantee funding? No; FEM decides all selections and renewals.

A bursary application should be built on evidence, not hope alone: verify that your registration and study field fit the advert; obtain an official transcript; make the household picture complete; check the certification dates; and do not submit the wrong form. A complete, accurate record is stronger than a dramatic motivation unsupported by documents.

If you are not eligible, begin a different funding search through the Latest Edupstairs Bursaries hub and the Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker. First-year entrants in particular should not waste time pretending to meet FEM’s explicit exclusion.

Official evidence: FEM 2027 application vacancy and FEM bursary programme FAQs. Last editorial review: 13 November 2026. FEM determines eligibility, acceptable documents, funding and selection. The site lists the closing date as 16 November 2026 but no verified hour.

Edupstairs is an independent South African information publisher and does not administer the FEM bursary, determine awards or collect personal application documents. Career tools, exercises, examples and internal bursary links are Edupstairs guidance, not official FEM requirements. Never submit sensitive household identity records to an unofficial third party.