The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) is a bursary which provides funding to students who come from poor and “missing middle” households. The “missing middle” refers to students who are unable to afford the costs of their tertiary education studies but exceed the household income threshold to qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary.
Students should not exceed the household income threshold of R600 000 to be eligible for the ISFAP bursary. Students should also be enrolled in approved courses at one of ISFAP’s partner universities.
The ISFAP bursary covers the cost of tuition and accommodation. The following costs are also covered in the form of allowances:
- Food
- Learning materials
- Living expenses
In addition, ISFAP provides non-academic support services to its students. These services include access to tutorial support, a project manager, life support, life skills training, staff mentors, and admin support.
Funding provided by the programme is made available through various donations from the public and private sectors. Those interested in applying for the bursary may do so now until the end of October 2023 when the applications close.
How To Apply
- Visit the ISFAP application website.
- Scroll down and select “Get Started”.
- Select “Undergraduate Application”.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload supporting documents:
- Certified ID Copy of the Applicant
- Certified Copy of Latest Academic Results (Grade 11 or Matric)
- Certified Proof of Income
- Download and complete the Consent Form (Applicant and Household Contributors) and certify by the Commissioner of Oaths.
Once submitted, the application will be added to a database which will be used to pair qualifying students that match donor/ISFAP criteria. ISFAP will keep students informed regarding the status of their applications.
