The term “Missing Middle” refers to students whose families earn too much to qualify for government-funded financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but too little to afford the high costs of tertiary education without financial strain.
Generally, students from households with an annual income between R350,000 and R600,000 fall are classified as the missing middle.
Missing middle students often struggle to secure funding for university tuition, accommodation, and other study-related expenses, placing them in a challenging financial gap between low-income and high-income households.
Fortunately, a growing number of bursaries and funding options are available to help these students, including both government and private sector initiatives. Some notable options include:
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP)
ISFAP was specifically created to support Missing Middle students. It covers a range of costs, including tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and living expenses. The programme also offers support services, such as mentoring and life skills training.
University-Specific Bursaries and Scholarships
Many South African universities, like the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Stellenbosch University, offer financial aid packages designed for Missing Middle students.
These are often based on both financial need and academic merit, helping bridge the gap for students who might not otherwise afford tertiary education.
The Feenix Platform
Feenix is a crowdfunding platform that allows students to raise funds for their studies. Missing Middle students can create a profile on Feenix, share their stories, and receive donations from individuals and corporate sponsors.
Corporate and Private Bursaries
Many companies, such as Standard Bank, Allan Gray, and FNB, offer bursaries for students in specific fields like finance, engineering, and the sciences.
These bursaries often target academically talented students from low- to middle-income families, with additional funding for living expenses in some cases.
