Struggling to finance your university studies in South Africa? You're not alone. Thousands of deserving students, often referred to as the "missing middle," face financial barriers to achieving their academic goals.
This is where the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) steps in. ISFAP offers bursary support to talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who wouldn't qualify for government funding but still need financial assistance.
Who are Missing Middle Students?
These are talented students from families with a household income between R350,000 and R600,000 per year. They often fall short of qualifying for government funding but lack the financial resources to afford university fees on their own.
ISFAP steps in to bridge this gap.
Studying at any of South Africa's 26 public universities? ISFAP bursaries are now available for approved courses across these institutions.
In a recent interview with Careers Portal, Sifanele Biyela, Corporate Partnership and Operations Manager at ISFAP, 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.
ISFAP prioritizes funding students in Occupations of High Demand (OHDs). By supporting these critical fields, ISFAP invests in South Africa's economic development and future success.
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
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".
How to Qualify for an ISFAP Bursary
- South African Citizenship: You must be a South African citizen.
- Academic Record: A good academic record is essential.
- Course of Study: Pursue a relevant qualification at a South African university.
- Financial Need: Your household income must fall between R0 and R600,000 per annum.
ISFAP covers more than just tuition! You'll receive funding for accommodation, travel, books, meals, and even a living stipend.
ISFAP also goes beyond finance. They provide academic support, life skills training, mentorship programs, and access to dedicated program managers for well-rounded student success.
