The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027 is open for South African students who want full-time funding in selected high-demand fields. The scholarship supports deserving black students, with a strong focus on developing future investment professionals and uplifting black women from constrained backgrounds.
This opportunity is especially valuable for students who want to study at selected South African universities in fields linked to investment management, business, technology, data, engineering and climate-related studies.
For academically strong students from rural and township backgrounds, this scholarship can help remove major financial pressure while opening a path into future-focused careers.
What Is The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027?
The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027 is a funding opportunity linked to the Imfundo Trust, an Old Mutual Investment Group initiative.
The Trust uses its dividend income to fund students pursuing degrees that support the investment management sector and related future skills. Its focus extends beyond traditional finance fields to areas such as engineering, data science and climate-related studies.
The scholarship aims to develop black investment professionals, with a particular bias towards supporting black women from constrained backgrounds.
Why Is This Scholarship A Strong Opportunity?
The Imfundo Trust Scholarship offers more than basic tuition support.
It provides full scholarship funding that can help students cover major study costs while they focus on academic success.
The programme covers tuition, books, accommodation and meals, and it also provides spending money.
In addition, students receive access to psychosocial support through ICAS and mentorship from their third year onwards.
This makes the scholarship valuable for students who need both financial support and personal development support while studying.
What Does The Scholarship Cover?
Successful applicants may receive comprehensive support.
The scholarship includes:
- Full tuition cover
- Accommodation costs
- Book allowance
- Meal support
- Spending allowance
- Psychosocial support through ICAS
- Mentorship from third year onwards
This level of support can make a major difference for students who are academically capable but financially limited.
Which Fields Of Study Are Funded?
The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship supports selected study fields that connect to investment, technology, data and future-focused industries.
Funded fields include:
- Business
- Commerce
- Finance
- Management Sciences or Management Studies
- Computer Science and related qualifications
- Computational Thinking
- Data Science
- Engineering
- Climate Studies at postgraduate level
Applicants should make sure their intended qualification falls within the supported study areas before applying.
Which Universities Are Supported?
The scholarship is linked to selected South African partner universities.
The listed partner universities include:
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Pretoria
Applicants should check their university choice carefully because the scholarship applies to selected institutions.
Who Can Apply For The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027?
Applicants must meet the listed scholarship requirements.
To qualify, you must be:
- A South African citizen
- Currently in Grade 12, or in your first year at university
- Applying for an approved field of study
- Planning to study at one of the listed partner universities
- Academically strong
- Able to complete the StudyTrust online application
Postgraduate Climate Studies applicants are treated as an exception to the Grade 12 or first-year university condition.
What Marks Are Required?
Grade 12 applicants must have achieved an average of at least 70% in their mid-year examinations.
They must also have:
- At least 70% in Mathematics
- At least 70% in English First Additional Language, or
- At least 60% in English Home Language
First-year university applicants must have achieved an average of at least 65% in their mid-year examinations.
These academic requirements are important, so applicants should prepare clear academic records before starting the application.
Who Will Receive Preference?
Applicants from rural and township backgrounds will receive preference.
This makes the scholarship especially important for students who have strong academic potential but come from communities where access to funding and professional networks may be limited.
However, applicants still need to meet the academic, citizenship and study-field requirements.
How Does The StudyTrust Application Work?
Applications for this scholarship must be completed through StudyTrust’s online application platform.
StudyTrust states that applicants only need to submit one application, and StudyTrust will consider them for all bursaries and scholarships they qualify for.
This means students should complete the application carefully because the information they provide may help match them with more than one possible funding opportunity.
StudyTrust also warns applicants that its bursaries are never for sale and that it does not work through intermediaries or outside organisations.
What Documents Should Applicants Prepare?
Applicants should prepare their documents before starting the online application.
StudyTrust lists the following important documents:
- Certified copy of your South African ID
- Full academic record
- Latest results
- Official Matric or NSC results, if completed
- Final Grade 11 results and second term 2026 report, if currently in Grade 12
- Proof of address
- Proof of household income
- Recent head-and-shoulders photograph
Proof of income may include salary slips, affidavits for unemployed or self-employed parents or guardians, SASSA confirmation letters, death certificates where applicable, or other relevant supporting documents.
What Should Applicants Know Before Writing Essays?
StudyTrust says essay questions form part of the applicant’s personal profile and should be taken seriously.
Applicants should write their essays themselves and use their own voice. StudyTrust allows applicants to use AI tools for checking spelling or grammar, but warns that applications written by AI will not be considered.
This is important: do not copy generic motivation answers. Your story, goals and reasons should sound personal and honest.
How Can You Apply For The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027?
Applications must be completed through the official StudyTrust online application platform.
Before applying, read the instructions carefully and prepare your documents.
Also, make sure your study programme name, institution, academic year level and qualification dates are accurate because StudyTrust uses this information during screening and matching.
When Is The Closing Date?
Applications for the Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship must be completed before 30 September 2026 to be considered for funding for the following academic year.
StudyTrust also confirms that its 2027 bursary platform opened on 1 June 2026, and most bursaries and scholarships close on 30 September.
Applicants should not wait until the last week.
Apply early because online bursary platforms can become slow close to the deadline.
Why Should Students Take This Scholarship Seriously?
The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027 supports study fields that can lead to careers in investment management, finance, technology, data, engineering and climate-related industries.
It also offers support beyond tuition, including accommodation, books, meals, spending money, psychosocial support and mentorship.
For students who meet the requirements, this scholarship can offer a powerful route into university success and long-term professional growth.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Before starting your StudyTrust application, prepare your academic results, household income documents, ID copy and proof of address in one folder. Then write your motivation in your own words. This scholarship values potential, but your application must clearly show your academic strength, background and career direction.
Grow Your Career with SETACareers
Access the latest learnerships, internships, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and practical SETA guides designed to help you succeed.
- Learnerships
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Bursaries
- Scholarships
- Fellowships
- Career Advice
- SETA Guides
Final Thoughts
The Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship 2027 is a strong funding opportunity for South African students who want to study in selected commerce, finance, management, computer science, data science, engineering and postgraduate climate studies fields.
The scholarship supports deserving black students and places strong emphasis on transformation, with preference for applicants from rural and township backgrounds.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your documents early and submit your StudyTrust application before 30 September 2026.
