Feenix Debt Bursary Programme 2025-2026
Feenix was launched in response to the #FeesMustFall movement that gained traction among South African tertiary students in 2015 and 2016. Feenix is a Public Benefit Organisation and crowdfunding platform, with Standard Bank as one of its founding partners. Feenix assists public university students through three channels:
- Crowdfunding: Students share their personal stories on the crowdfunding website to raise funds for their outstanding university fees.
- Bursary Programme: Organizations provide funding to university students with outstanding student debt.
- Full Student Support: Students receive holistic development support to ensure they thrive in university and the working world.
About the DFFE Bursary Programme – Fields Covered
Feenix invites students to apply for their two types of bursary programmes:
- Feenix 2025-2026 Graduate Bursary: For students with outstanding student debt who have completed undergraduate degree studies in the last 3 years in the fields of Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, Finance, and Commerce.
- Feenix 2025-2026 Debt Bursary: For students with outstanding student debt, who are in their final year of undergraduate degree studies in Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, and Finance.
More About the Feenix Bursary Programme – Coverage Value
The bursary will provide partial or full coverage for outstanding student debt/historical debt, including tuition and accommodation expenses. Candidates will also have access to “Blackbullion South Africa,” a global-award-winning financial literacy platform that provides engaging and relevant content to help South Africans make better financial decisions before, during, and after university.
More About the Feenix Bursary Programme – Selection
Bursary recipients must provide progress updates over the next 12 months for funder reporting purposes (to determine if the candidate is continuing with their studies or has found employment). Shortlisted applicants for the Feenix Debt Bursary award must provide proof of completing their degree by February before final selection is made. Bursary awards will be paid to successful candidates in March. Successful applicants will be contacted via telephone and email.
Eligibility Requirements for the Feenix Bursary
Feenix 2025-2026 Graduate Bursary:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be 35 years old or younger.
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree in the last 3 years in Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, Finance, or Commerce.
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree at any of the 26 public universities in South Africa (the bursary will NOT cover postgraduate degrees or diplomas).
- Must NOT have registered for further studies in 2025-2026.
- Must have outstanding student debt.
- Must intend to use the degree to find employment.
- Must have a total household income of less than R600,000 per annum (or less than R850,000 per annum if you have a disability).
- Must read and agree to the Feenix bursary terms and conditions.
Feenix 2025-2026 Debt Bursary:
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be 35 years old or younger.
- Must be studying towards an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Data Science, Information Technology, Finance, or Commerce (the bursary will NOT cover postgraduate degrees).
- Must be in the final year of study and will complete the undergraduate degree by December 2025-2026.
- Must be registered and studying at any of the 26 public universities in South Africa.
- Must have outstanding student debt (current and/or historical).
- Must have a total household income of less than R600,000 per annum (or less than R850,000 per annum if you have a disability).
- Must read and agree to the Feenix bursary terms and conditions.
How to Apply for the Feenix Bursary
Application Process:
- Feenix 2025-2026 Graduate Bursary Application: Apply Here
- Feenix 2025-2026 Debt Bursary Application: Apply Here
Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Feenix bursary.
Required Documents:
Feenix Graduate Bursary:
- Certified copy of ID document or both sides of ID card (not older than 6 months).
- Proof of completed degree in the previous two years
- Academic transcripts, if available (on institution’s letterhead).
- Official fee statement showing all outstanding debt (on institution’s letterhead/stamped, not older than 30 days). (Proof of Registration and Fee Quotations will NOT be accepted.)
- Parents/guardians/spouse ID number to verify the total family household income.
- Motivation letter based on two topics: “How would you describe your personal brand?” and “What makes your future worth investing in?” (maximum 1200 words).
- Medical letter stating the nature of your disability, if you have a disability.
Feenix Debt Bursary:
- Certified copy of ID document or both sides of ID card (not older than 6 months).
- Proof of registration at a public university for the 2025-2026 academic year (on institution’s letterhead).
- Academic transcripts, if available (on institution’s letterhead).
- Official fee statement showing all outstanding debt (on institution’s letterhead/stamped, not older than 30 days). (Proof of Registration and Fee Quotations will NOT be accepted.)
- Parents/guardians/spouse ID number to verify the total family household income.
- Motivation letter based on two topics: “How would you describe your personal brand?” and “What makes your future worth investing in?” (maximum 1200 words).
- Medical letter stating the nature of your disability, if you have a disability.
Note: Have your supporting documents ready on your device when applying, as you will not be able to save and return to your application. Submit your application and documents in one sitting.
Closing Date for the Feenix Bursary
30 November.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
Contact the Bursary Provider
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact Feenix directly:
- Email: support@feenixbursary.org
- Tel: 063 968 7544
Note: Do NOT contact Feenix if this bursary has already closed.
This bursary listing was last updated in November 2025-2026. SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may need bursary funding.
