Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP)

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 name

Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP)

Type

Non-profit student funding programme

Fields funded

High-demand degrees at 26 partner universities

Website

isfap.org.za

Phone

+27 11 555 0000

How this page was researched

ISFAP’s website did not return readable content when BursariesAfrica researched this profile on 15 September 2026. The page relies on a provider record checked in August 2026 and on BursariesAfrica’s research into the 2027 ISFAP application round.

Full funding plus support

ISFAP funds full degrees in high-demand fields at 26 partner universities, according to BursariesAfrica’s research, and covers tuition, accommodation and other study costs. ISFAP wraps academic, social and psychosocial support around the money, because students from missing middle households often face pressures beyond fees.

That support model reflects ISFAP’s purpose. ISFAP wants funded students to finish their degrees and move into work, not only to register.

The 2027 application round

Applications for the 2027 academic year are open and close on 31 October 2026 at midnight. ISFAP does not consider applications received after that.

How to check whether ISFAP suits you

Before applying, check three things on ISFAP’s website: whether your household income falls within ISFAP’s missing middle band, whether your degree appears on ISFAP’s list of funded high-demand qualifications, and whether your university is one of the 26 partners. If any of the three does not match, look for other funders.

Prepare proof of household income for parents or guardians, certified identity documents and academic results. ISFAP partners with companies and SETAs, so some ISFAP bursaries carry sponsor conditions; read any agreement carefully.

Students whose household income falls below the NSFAS threshold should apply to NSFAS instead, because ISFAP targets families just above that line.

ISFAP was launched in 2017 with support from government, companies and foundations, to test a way of funding and supporting students that could reduce dropout rates. Its model pays close attention to whether funded students progress each year.

Students already funded by ISFAP should keep in contact with their ISFAP support staff, who can help with academic or personal difficulties before they affect results and continued funding. Early contact usually makes problems easier to solve.

Read our NSFAS guide to compare the two.