The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) provides bursaries to missing middle students for both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
ISFAP fills an important gap within student funding in South Africa by bridging the funding gap for students who do not qualify for government-funded bursaries from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), but lack the resources to afford university independently.
These students are classified as the ‘missing middle’. Missing middle students are from families with a household income between R350,00 and R600,000, and are eligible to apply for ISFAP scholarships.
The ISFAP bursary provides funding for essentials costs including tuition and registration fees, accommodation, travel, books, and meals, and even provides students with a living stipend.
ISFAP also offers its beneficiaries academic and social support. This includes Life skills training, Mentoring (first-year experience, Medical support (psycho-social support) and access to dedicated programme managers.
Which Institutions Does ISFAP Cover?
In 2024, ISFAP will fund students enrolled in approved courses at all of South Africa’s 26 public universities.
In a recent interview with Careers Portal, Sifanele Biyela, Corporate Partnership and Operations Manager at ISFAP, she said:
We are funded driven and also very occupation and high demand dripping and it's always been our wish to then be available at all the universities. We've made significant progress in terms of where we can can be found.
Some universities in South Africa offer courses with the same outcome, however, the name of the programme may be different depending on the institution. ISFAP has provided a list of courses it funds at its partner universities.
By clicking on the university, you can see which courses they fund.
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Central University of Technology
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Nelson Mandela University
- North-West University
- Rhodes University
- Sefako Makgatho University
- Sol Plaatje University
- Stellenbosch University
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Cape Town
- University of Fort Hare
- University of the Free State
- University of Johannesburg
- University of Kwazulu-Natal
- University of Limpopo
- University of Mpumalanga
- University of South Africa
- University of Venda
- University of Zululand
- University of Pretoria
- University of Western Cape
- Vaal University of Technology
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Walter Sisulu University
One of the main aims of ISFAP funding is to contribute to South Africa’s skills production for the 21st century by funding students studying towards a career in Occupations of High Demand (OHDs). These occupations have been identified as critical to South Africa’s economic development.
Biyela went on to say, "we are making strides in that area and we're hoping that with sustainable funding and continued funding we're able to then be present at at all the universities because everyone needs support. We need to be realistic in where we find ourselves and how we plan to implement the project".
ISFAP Bursary Requirements
To qualify for ISFAP funding, the student
- Must be a South African citizen
- Have a good academic record
- Studying towards a relevant qualification at a South African university.
- Have a household income between R0 and R600 000 per annum
More Articles About ISFAP
- What Is ISFAP?
- Who Are ISFAP and What Do They Do?
- How Much Are ISFAS Allowances?
- Must I Reapply For ISFAP Every Year?
- Will ISFAP Fund A Student More Than Once?
- Will The ISFAP Bursary Replace NSFAS?
- Who Qualifies For Funding From ISFAP?
- Is ISFAP A Loan?
- Requirements To Qualify For ISFAP Postgraduate Bursaries?
- How To Apply For ISFAP Postgrad Bursary?
- How ISFAP Chooses Who Receives Their Bursary
- ISFAP Covers More Than Just Your University Fees
- Which Courses and Universities Will the ISFAP Bursary Fund
- Will ISFAP Pay For UNISA Postgrad Courses
- Will ISFAP Fund TVET Students?
- What Does The ISFAP Bursary Cover?
- What Kind of Allowances Does ISFAP Give?
- Will ISFAP Pay My Registration Fee?
- Does ISFAP Pay For Student Accommodation?
- What's The Difference Between ISFAS and NSFAS?
- Will ISFAP Fund Me If I Have Another Bursary?
- Does ISFAP Fund Online Studies?
- How To Gain Access To The ISFAP Consent Form
- Here's What Is Needed To Stay Funded By ISFAP
- Will I Have To Pay ISFAP Back?
- ISFAP Is Funding Critical Skills Professionals
- Does ISFAP Fund Postgraduate Courses
- Does The ISFAP Bursary Cover Private College Courses?
