Apply Now: Stanbic Bank Scholarship Programme Zimbabwe
If you are a student from the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe hoping to study at a leading university but struggling with the cost of higher education, this is the news you have been waiting for. Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has officially opened its 2026 Scholarship Programme in partnership with the National University of Science and Technology, commonly known as NUST. This is a fully funded scholarship that covers almost every cost you can think of as a university student, and it is aimed specifically at talented young people from Matabeleland who deserve a chance but simply do not have the financial means to get there on their own.
In this article, we are going to walk you through everything you need to know about this scholarship. From what it covers, to who qualifies, to how the selection process works, and how you can apply. So keep reading, because this opportunity could genuinely change the direction of your life.
What Is the Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Scholarship Programme?
The Stanbic Bank Scholarship Fund is a five-year initiative launched in partnership with the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The programme was officially announced in March 2026 following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe and NUST. The MOU signing ceremony brought together Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe’s Head of Brand and Marketing, Tariro Memo, and NUST’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mqhele Dlodlo, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a long-lasting and impactful collaboration between a leading financial institution and one of Zimbabwe’s top universities.
The scholarship fund is specifically designed to help academically gifted students from the Matabeleland region who face genuine financial barriers to pursuing university education. The aim is simple: remove the money problem so that talented students can focus entirely on their studies and build the future they deserve.
The programme begins with the August 2026 intake at NUST, and it will support five students every year for five years. That means a total of 25 students from Matabeleland will benefit from this programme over its full duration, which is a significant commitment from Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe.
Why Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Is Doing This
You might be wondering why a bank would invest in university scholarships. The answer becomes clear when you look at Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe’s broader mission. As a subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group, one of Africa’s largest financial services groups, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe is deeply committed to driving economic growth across the communities it serves.
Tariro Memo, who serves as Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe’s Head of Brand and Marketing, was very clear about the bank’s intentions at the launch event. She said: “This is more than a scholarship. It is a chance to change lives. We want to give talented young Zimbabweans the opportunity to study, innovate, and build the future they dream of. We believe the next generation of leaders, scientists and creators are right here in Matabeleland, and we are honoured to support them.”
The bank views education, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as a critical foundation for Zimbabwe’s long-term economic development. By investing in STEM education at NUST, which is Zimbabwe’s premier university for science and technology programs, Stanbic Bank is essentially putting money into the future workforce and innovation capacity of the country.
It is also worth noting that this is not the first time Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has invested in university scholarships. The bank has existing scholarship partnerships with Africa University and Midlands State University, and it has recently extended the programme to Chinhoyi University of Technology as well. As of March 2026, the total number of university students benefiting from the Stanbic Bank Scholarship Fund across all partner universities has reached 42. The NUST partnership is the newest addition to this growing national effort.
What the Scholarship Covers
One of the most impressive things about the Stanbic Bank NUST Scholarship is just how comprehensive it is. This is not a partial bursary or a token contribution toward tuition. The scholarship is designed to take care of every major cost that a student would face while studying at NUST. Here is a breakdown of what the scholarship covers:
Full Tuition Fees
All tuition fees for the duration of your studies at NUST are fully covered. You do not have to worry about fee payments, registration, or sitting out of exams because of unpaid fees. The scholarship handles all of it.
Accommodation
University accommodation is covered as part of the package. This ensures that scholarship recipients have a safe, comfortable, and stable place to live while they pursue their studies, without having to scramble for private lodging or commute from far away.
Meals
The cost of meals is also included in the scholarship. This is a detail that many other scholarship programmes overlook, but it makes a huge practical difference. When you are not worried about where your next meal is coming from, you can dedicate your mental energy to learning and academic performance.
Laboratory and Equipment Fees
Since NUST is a science and technology focused university, lab fees and equipment costs are a real part of the academic experience. These costs are also fully covered under the scholarship, which means students can participate fully in their practical training and laboratory work without additional financial pressure.
A Brand New Laptop
Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the scholarship package is that every recipient will receive a brand new laptop. In today’s academic environment, access to a personal computer is absolutely essential. From writing assignments and conducting research, to accessing online learning resources and participating in digital coursework, a laptop is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. Stanbic Bank recognizes this, and the inclusion of a laptop in the scholarship package shows that the bank is serious about giving these students every tool they need to succeed.
Put together, this scholarship package is genuinely life-changing. It removes virtually every financial obstacle a student might face during their university education at NUST.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The scholarship is targeted at a specific group of students, so it is important to understand the eligibility criteria clearly before you apply. Here is what you need to qualify:
You Must Be from Matabeleland Province
The Stanbic Bank NUST Scholarship is specifically for students from the Matabeleland provinces of Zimbabwe. This includes Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South. If you are from Bulawayo or the broader Matabeleland region, you are within the geographic scope of this scholarship. Students from other provinces are not eligible for this particular scholarship fund, though Stanbic Bank does have scholarship partnerships with other universities in other provinces.
You Must Be Academically Strong
The scholarship targets students who demonstrate strong academic ability. You need to show that you have the academic record and potential to succeed at the university level. The selection committee will be looking for evidence of genuine academic merit, not just basic passes. Students with outstanding academic achievement will have a strong advantage in the selection process.
You Must Have a Genuine Financial Need
This is equally as important as academic performance. The scholarship is specifically aimed at students who face financial barriers to education. If you have the grades but your family does not have the financial resources to send you to university, this is exactly the scenario this scholarship was designed to address. Applicants will need to demonstrate that financial need is a real obstacle in their educational journey.
Priority Is Given to Female Students
In a significant move to promote gender equity in education, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has reserved three out of the five annual scholarships for female students. This means that out of every five scholars selected each year, three will be women and two will be men. This reflects a deliberate commitment to supporting girls and young women in pursuing higher education, particularly in STEM fields where women have historically been underrepresented. Female applicants from Matabeleland who meet the academic and financial need criteria should feel particularly encouraged to apply.
You Must Be an Incoming or Qualifying NUST Student
The scholarship is tied specifically to study at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. Applicants need to be students enrolled or qualifying for enrollment at NUST, with the programme beginning at the August 2026 intake.
About NUST: Zimbabwe’s University of Science and Technology
The National University of Science and Technology, located in Bulawayo in the Matabeleland North province, is one of Zimbabwe’s most prestigious and highly regarded universities. It is particularly well known for its strength in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, making it the ideal institutional partner for a scholarship programme that prioritizes STEM education.
NUST offers degree programmes across a wide range of faculties including Applied Science, Engineering, Commerce and Business Sciences, Communication and Information Science, Industrial Technology, and more. The university has built a strong reputation for producing graduates who are ready for the demands of the modern economy and the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
NUST’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Mqhele Dlodlo, welcomed the Stanbic Bank partnership with great enthusiasm. He said that by committing resources to student scholarships, Stanbic Bank had demonstrated its belief in the transformative power of education. He described the initiative as being perfectly aligned with the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to ensuring access to education for all citizens, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
Professor Dlodlo also called on future scholarship recipients to take the opportunity seriously: “Education is not only a privilege but a responsibility.” These words are a reminder that a scholarship like this carries weight. It is an investment in a student’s potential, and recipients are expected to honour that investment through hard work and dedication.
How the Selection Process Works
The selection of scholarship beneficiaries is handled by a joint committee made up of representatives from both Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe and NUST. This ensures that the selection process is balanced, transparent, and considers both academic performance and financial need fairly.
The committee will evaluate applicants based on their demonstrated academic ability and their genuine financial need. The fact that both institutions are represented in the selection committee gives the process credibility and ensures that decisions are made with the best interests of deserving students at heart.
Five students will be selected each year. Three of those five spots are reserved for female students, and two are open to male students. Priority goes to students from the Matabeleland provinces who show both the academic potential and the financial circumstances that the scholarship was designed to address.
The Bigger Picture: Stanbic Bank’s Commitment to Zimbabwe’s Future
It is worth stepping back for a moment and looking at what this scholarship represents on a bigger scale. Zimbabwe, like many countries in Africa, faces a significant challenge when it comes to access to higher education. University education is expensive, and for many families, especially those outside of major urban centers, the cost is simply out of reach. Talented students miss out on opportunities to develop their potential simply because of where they were born and what their family’s financial situation looks like.
Scholarship programmes like this one from Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe are part of the solution to that problem. They identify students who have already demonstrated that they have what it takes academically, and they remove the one barrier that might otherwise stop them from reaching their potential: money.
STEM education in particular is critical for Zimbabwe’s development. The country needs engineers, scientists, technology experts, and innovators to build a stronger and more diversified economy. By funding STEM students at NUST, Stanbic Bank is contributing directly to the human capital that Zimbabwe will need to grow and thrive in the coming decades.
The fact that the scholarship programme spans five years and covers five students per year also signals that this is a serious, long-term commitment. It is not a one-off gesture or a publicity exercise. It is a structured, sustained investment in the future of the Matabeleland region and Zimbabwe as a whole.
As Tariro Memo put it: “Your investment in education is an investment in the future of Zimbabwe.” Those words capture the spirit of this scholarship perfectly.
How This Scholarship Fits Into Stanbic Bank’s Broader CSR Efforts
The Stanbic Bank NUST scholarship is the latest example of the bank’s broader corporate social responsibility efforts in Zimbabwe. Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, as a subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group, operates with a clear purpose: to drive the economic development of the African continent and the communities it serves.
Education is one of the primary pillars of that purpose. The bank already has scholarship partnerships with Africa University in Mutare, Midlands State University in Gweru, and, most recently, Chinhoyi University of Technology in Mashonaland West. With the addition of NUST, Stanbic Bank now has scholarship partnerships covering four different universities across four different provinces of Zimbabwe. This nationwide spread of educational investment reflects a genuine commitment to ensuring that students from all parts of the country have access to support.
The total number of students benefiting from the Stanbic Bank Scholarship Fund across all its university partnerships now stands at 42. Each of these students represents a story of potential realized, of a young Zimbabwean who was given the chance to pursue higher education despite financial challenges. The NUST partnership will add more such stories in the years ahead.
Tips for a Strong Scholarship Application
If you believe you qualify for this scholarship, here are a few practical tips to help you put together the strongest possible application:
Gather your academic records early. Make sure your school results, transcripts, and any other evidence of academic performance are organized and ready to submit. The selection committee will want to see a clear picture of your academic achievement.
Document your financial circumstances honestly. The scholarship is for students with genuine financial need, so be honest and thorough in presenting your financial situation. This might include information about your household income, the number of dependents in your family, and any other relevant financial details.
Write a compelling personal statement if required. Many scholarship applications ask for a personal statement or motivation letter. Use this as an opportunity to explain who you are, where you come from, why you want to study at NUST, and what you plan to do with your education. Be specific and genuine.
Apply as early as possible. Scholarship spots are limited, and the earlier you submit your application, the better positioned you are. Do not leave it to the last minute.
Check the NUST website regularly for updates. The official application process, deadlines, and required documents will be communicated through NUST’s official channels. Bookmark the NUST scholarship page and check it regularly to stay informed.
How to Apply for the Stanbic Bank NUST 2026 Scholarship
The official home for this scholarship is the National University of Science and Technology. All application details, required documents, and submission instructions are communicated through NUST’s official platforms. To get started, visit the official Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe 2026 Scholarship page on the NUST website to access the application form, read the full eligibility requirements, and submit your application before the deadline.
You can also reach NUST directly using the contact details below if you have questions about the application process:
- Phone: +263 292 282842
- Email: info@nust.ac.zw
- Address: National University of Science and Technology, PO Box AC 939, Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
For students in Harare, NUST also has an office at ZiMDEF House, Ground Floor, 18572 off Mother Patrick Avenue, Rotten Row, Harare. You can reach that office at +263 242251534.
Final Thoughts
The Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe 2026 Scholarship Programme for NUST students is a genuinely exciting opportunity for young people from the Matabeleland region. It is comprehensive, it is well-funded, and it comes from institutions that clearly believe in the power of education to transform lives and build a stronger Zimbabwe.
If you or someone you know is from Matabeleland, has strong academic results, and faces financial challenges in accessing university education, this scholarship is exactly what it was designed for. Do not let this chance pass you by. Take the time to gather your documents, check the NUST website for the latest application details, and put forward the strongest application you can.
Education is one of the most powerful tools anyone can have. And thanks to Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe and NUST, the door to that education is now open a little wider for students from Matabeleland who need it most. Go ahead and walk through it.
To apply or learn more, visit the official Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Scholarship 2026 page on the NUST website and follow the application instructions provided there.
