ISFAP Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Key facts

Status: Applications open Closes 31 October 2026
Provider: ISFAP
Study level: Undergraduate, High school
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

Applications for the 2027 academic year are open and close on 31 October 2026 at midnight.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Open · closes 31 October 2026 · 36 days left The funder does not publish this date on its own site, so confirm it before you rely on it. Latest update ↓

Many South African students earn too much at home to qualify for NSFAS but far too little to pay university fees. The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) was created for this missing middle. Backed by government, private companies and the universities, it funds full degrees in high-demand fields and wraps academic and social support around each student.

About the ISFAP Bursary

Covers tuition, accommodation or travel, books, meals and a living stipend for the full undergraduate degree.
Adds academic support, life skills training, social support and medical assistance.
Funds qualifications linked to occupations in high demand: engineering, computer science, commerce and accounting, health sciences, education, agriculture and related fields, with the exact list varying by university.
Partner institutions include the University of Pretoria, UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UKZN, UJ, North-West, Free State, Western Cape, Limpopo, Venda, Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu, Rhodes, Nelson Mandela, Zululand, Mpumalanga, Sol Plaatje, Sefako Makgatho, UNISA, TUT, CPUT, DUT, VUT, MUT and CUT.

ISFAP eligibility requirements

South African citizen.
In Matric or completed Matric, with results that meet the university’s requirements for the programme.
Accepted, or applying, for a first-year undergraduate qualification in an approved programme at a partner institution for 2027.
Household income of no more than R600 000 a year, with demonstrated financial need. Most ISFAP students fall between R350 000 and R600 000.

How to apply for ISFAP

Apply to a partner university for an approved programme first, since ISFAP funding depends on admission.
Register an account at applyonline.isfap.org.za and complete the online application.
Upload certified copies, not older than three months, of your ID, your Grade 11 and Matric results, the signed ISFAP funding application consent form, proof of household income and the IDs of your parents, guardians and any other household contributors.
Submit before midnight on 31 October 2026. ISFAP confirms funding once the university confirms your registration.

ISFAP closing date

31 October 2026 at midnight for the 2027 academic year.

Contact details

Telephone: 010 880 0400
Email: students@isfap.org.za
Website: www.isfap.org.za

Read about the ISFAP monthly allowance. Students below the NSFAS threshold should apply to NSFAS instead, and top achievers from low-income homes to the Moshal scholarship.

FAQs

1. When does ISFAP close for 2027? +

31 October 2026 at midnight. Applications received after that are considered for 2028.

2. What is ISFAP? +

The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme, a public-private bursary scheme for the missing middle: students whose household income is too high for NSFAS but too low to pay university fees, generally between R350 000 and R600 000 a year.

3. What does it cover? +

Tuition, accommodation or travel, books, meals and a living stipend, plus academic support, life skills training, social support and medical assistance for the full degree.

4. Which courses and universities? +

Qualifications linked to occupations in high demand, such as engineering, computer science, commerce, health sciences, education and agriculture, at 26 partner institutions including UP, UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UKZN, UJ, NWU, UFS, TUT, CPUT, DUT, UNISA and the Eastern Cape and Limpopo universities.

5. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens in Matric or with Matric, accepted for a first-year undergraduate qualification in an approved programme at a partner institution for 2027, with household income of no more than R600 000 a year and demonstrated financial need.

6. How do I apply? +

Register at applyonline.isfap.org.za and upload certified copies (not older than three months) of your ID, Grade 11 and Matric results, the ISFAP consent form, proof of household income and the IDs of your parents, guardians and other household contributors.

Update note (checked September 2026): applications for the 2027 academic year are open and close on 31 October 2026 at midnight. Applications received after that date are held over for 2028.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

About ISFAP

Non-profit student funding programme

The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) funds South Africa's missing middle: students whose households earn too much to qualify for NSFAS but not enough to pay university fees. ISFAP is based in Illovo, Johannesburg. Registered nameIkusasa Student…

Read the full ISFAP profile →

Address: 17 Fricker Road, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2196
Phone: +27 11 555 0000
Website: isfap.org.za