Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary: Requirements and How to Apply
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) is a comprehensive bursary scheme in South Africa designed to provide full financial and academic support to students from the “missing middle.”
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This group consists of students whose combined household income is too high to qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but too low to afford university studies without assistance.
ISFAP focuses on funding qualifications in Occupations of High Demand at partner universities and colleges, ensuring graduates enter fields critical to South Africa’s economy.
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary Requirements
ISFAP’s eligibility criteria focus equally on financial need and academic potential.
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have a combined family household income that falls between R0 and R600,000 per annum. (This covers both NSFAS-eligible and “missing middle” students, though ISFAP specifically targets the R350,000 to R600,000 range).
- You must be accepted to study for a degree or approved programme in an Occupations of High Demand field (see next section for examples).
- You must be studying or intending to study at one of ISFAP’s partner public universities or TVET colleges.
- You must meet the minimum academic criteria and registration requirements set by your chosen institution and specific funder constraints.
- You must not be receiving funding for the same period of study from any other organisation (excluding limited academic merit awards).
Fields of Study Funded by Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary
ISFAP provides funding for a broad range of qualifications, but they must align with South Africa’s priority skills areas, including:
- Engineering: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Mining, Computer, and Mechatronics.
- Health Sciences: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Radiography, Physiotherapy, and other related Health Sciences.
- Information Technology (IT): Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, and Informatics.
- Commerce and Management: Accounting (CA Stream), Actuarial Science, Finance, and Economics.
- Built Environment: Architecture, Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying.
- Education: Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Foundation, Intermediate, Senior, and FET Teaching.
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Agricultural Economics, Biotechnology, and Food Technology.
- Law and certain Social Sciences programmes.
Application Process for the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary
The ISFAP application process is entirely online via their dedicated portal.
- Visit the ISFAP Portal: Go to the official ISFAP Online Funding Application Portal.
- Complete the Online Application: Fill in the application form, providing all personal, academic, and financial details.
- Gather Certified Documents: Collect and ensure all supporting documents are certified (the certification stamp must not be older than three months).
- Submit Required Documents: Upload certified copies of your South African ID, latest academic transcripts (Matric or university results), and proof of acceptance at an ISFAP partner university.
- Provide Financial Proof: Upload the ISFAP Funding Application Consent Form (completed by household contributors) and all required proof of household income (recent payslips, affidavits, or grant/pension proof) for your parents/guardians.
- Submit Application: Submit the complete application and all supporting documents online before the deadline.
- Application Review: ISFAP conducts a verification and assessment process that may run from June up to February of the following year.
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary Coverage and Support
The ISFAP bursary is known for being fully comprehensive and includes “wrap-around” support.
- Financial Coverage
- Full University Fees (Tuition and Registration).
- Accommodation (University-accredited or subsidised travel allowance).
- Meals (or a set meal allowance).
- Prescribed Books and Study Materials.
- A monthly stipend (cash allowance).
- Additional Support
- Academic support (tutorials, extended programmes).
- Social support and life skills training.
- Mentoring (for first-year experience).
- Medical and psycho-social support.
Closing Date for the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary
The application period for the ISFAP Bursary for the 2026 academic year typically runs for several months.
The official closing date for first-year undergraduate applications is widely advertised as October 31, 2026.
It is highly recommended to apply well before this date to ensure you are included in the initial assessment phase.
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Bursary Contact Details
- Website: www.isfap.org.za
- Online Application Portal: https://applyonline.isfap.org.za/
- Email: info@isfap.org.za
- WhatsApp: 072 617 8072
FAQs
The “missing middle” refers to students whose combined family household income is generally between R350,001 and R600,000 per annum. These students do not qualify for NSFAS but cannot afford the full cost of university studies without comprehensive financial aid.
The total household income threshold for ISFAP is R600,000 per annum. Students from households earning between R0 and R350,000 (who are NSFAS-eligible) can also be funded by ISFAP, depending on the specific donor criteria.
No. ISFAP funding is only provided to students accepted at one of its partner public universities or TVET colleges. These partners include UCT, Wits, UP, UJ, Stellenbosch, NMU, UKZN, and many others across all 26 public universities.
“Occupations of High Demand” are scarce skills professions identified as critical for South Africa’s economic growth. ISFAP focuses on funding these fields, such as Engineering, Health Sciences, IT, and Accountancy (CA), to ensure graduates meet industry needs.
No. The ISFAP funding is a comprehensive bursary and scholarship that does not require repayment. It provides financial, academic, and social support to ensure student success.
The wrap-around support goes beyond money. It includes academic mentoring and tutorials, life skills training, access to a dedicated project manager, and psycho-social/medical support when necessary.
Yes, you can apply for both. ISFAP will assess your household income. If your income falls within the “missing middle” range, or if you meet specific donor criteria, ISFAP may fund you instead of NSFAS. ISFAP does not fund students who are fully funded by another source.
Yes. The full funding package includes coverage for tuition, accommodation, and study materials, plus a monthly stipend (cash allowance) for living expenses and a laptop allowance.
Yes. ISFAP offers limited funding for postgraduate studies, usually at the Honours or Master’s level, in specific high-demand fields like Accounting (CA) or Economics. Doctoral studies are not typically funded.
You can contact ISFAP through their official channels: Email them at info@isfap.org.za, call the 010 880 0400 Call Centre, or use the 072 617 8072 WhatsApp number for assistance with applications and general student matters.
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