Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) Bursaries 2027

The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) invites South African students to apply for the ISFAP Bursary 2027.

Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 October 2026

The ISFAP bursary is aimed at helping students from the “missing middle” access higher education funding for approved undergraduate qualifications in fields linked to occupations in high demand.

The ISFAP Bursary Programme 2027 is designed for South African students who need financial support to study at selected public universities and approved programmes. ISFAP focuses on students from households that earn too much to qualify for NSFAS, but still cannot afford university costs. This group is commonly known as the missing middle.

The bursary may cover major study-related costs, including:

Academic and social support through partner institutions

This makes ISFAP one of the most important bursaries for students who need broad financial support to complete their studies.

To qualify for the ISFAP Bursary 2027, applicants must generally meet these requirements:

Be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric

Be accepted to study at an approved public institution for an approved qualification in 2027

Be entering the first year of undergraduate study

Come from a household with an income of not more than R600 000 per year

ISFAP funding is specifically intended for students in the missing middle category and for studies in priority or scarce-skills areas.

For the 2027 academic year, the bursary is aimed at approved qualifications offered at selected South African public universities. Based on the programme details, these include institutions such as:

University of the Witwatersrand

Tshwane University of Technology

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Durban University of Technology

Mangosuthu University of Technology

University of South Africa (UNISA)

Central University of Technology

The approved programmes are mainly in areas such as:

Applicants usually need to upload clear certified copies of the following:

Grade 11 final results and latest Matric results if still in Matric

Matric certificate if already completed Matric

Completed ISFAP Funding Application Consent Form

ID documents of parents, guardians, and other household contributors

All documents must be properly certified.

Click here to apply for ISFAP Bursary South Africa 2027.

Applicants must first register an account, then log in and complete the online application form. The application system requires supporting documents to be uploaded before submission.

Application Link: applyonline.isfap.org.za

ISFAP does not replace NSFAS. It supports students who are financially needy but fall into the missing middle category. ISFAP funds studies in high-demand occupations and raises support from public and private partners to do so.

If you plan to apply, make sure all documents are clear, recently certified, and submitted before the deadline.

• To qualify for the ISFAP Bursary 2027, applicants must generally meet these requirements:
• Be a South African citizen
• Be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric
• Be accepted to study at an approved public institution for an approved qualification in 2027
• Be entering the first year of undergraduate study
• Come from a household with an income of not more than R600 000 per year
• Show financial need
• ISFAP funding is specifically intended for students in the missing middle category and for studies in priority or scarce-skills areas.