To enable low- and middle-income university students to pay for their postsecondary education, the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) was established.
As a Public Benefit Organization (PBO), ISFAP solicits donations from various entities, including private people, foundations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and development finance organizations. The money is intended to support middle-class and impoverished students in South Africa while they pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees.
What is the ISFAP Bursary?
A financial assistance program called the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) Bursary was created to assist South African students from low-income families. Stated differently, its purpose was to support low-income and “missing” middle-class college students pursuing particular fields of study by giving them financial aid to cover their tuition.
The ISFAP Bursary is supported by donations from domestic and foreign donors, non-profit organizations, governmental organizations, private citizens, and professional businesses. Its primary focus is assisting students in reaching their objectives and earning their credentials. Additionally, it seeks to promote economic development and equality by providing possibilities for success in various professions, such as accountancy, medicine, engineering, and the arts. Not to mention! The following are the goals of ISFAP:
- Lower the rate of learning dropouts.
- Provide students with more excellent career options.
- Create a talented and skilled staff.
Fields Covered by ISFAP Bursary:
For the academic year 2025, ISFAP is inviting students to apply for their bursary program.
The following partner universities will grant bursaries for these particular credentials.
- Central University of Technology
- Nelson Mandela University
- University of Venda
- Stellenbosch University
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Pretoria
- Walter Sisulu University
- University of Cape Town
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Johannesburg
Costs Paid by the ISFAP Bursary Program:
The bursary pays for books, food, living expenses, lodging, transportation (if necessary), tuition, and other costs. Students will also receive help from their university for academic, social, and life skills and medical care as needed.
The following is a list of costs that the ISFAP Bursary covers:
- The whole cost of attendance at the university
- Subsistence allowance
- Fees for tuition in academic advancement and extended programs
- Accommodation
- Food Reference tools, such as textbooks and calculators
- Psycho-social assistance
- Social assistance
- instruction on life skills
- Opportunities for mentoring
Online Application Process:
Online applications can be made at ISFAP Bursary Application 2025. Before logging in and applying, candidates must first establish an account. The procedures to apply for the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) bursary are as follows:
Collect All Required Documents: Gathering all the necessary paperwork is the first and most crucial thing you should do, even before you begin the application process. Among the essential papers are:
- Authenticated duplicate of identification document
- copies of your other records and transcripts from school
- Evidence of household income
- Evidence of admission to the university Quotation from the university for the course
- Inspirational message
Go to the ISFAP Bursary website. The following step is to visit the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) bursary website. You may make an account on their website by entering your personal information if you don’t already have one. You may access their online application form by doing this.
Fill out the online application form: Since you are filling out the form at this stage, you must proceed with caution and attention. As the selection committee reviews this application form and chooses you, you must provide precise and complete information. You need to supply the following information:
- Personal details
- Academic achievements
- Details about your course of study.
- Information regarding your financial situation.
Upload Supporting papers: Once your application form has been completed, you may upload all the supporting documents that the ISFAP bursary criteria demand.
Fill out the Consent Form: You must download and fill out the consent form to be eligible for financing from the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) bursary. Subsequently, the Commissioner of Oaths must certify it.
Follow Up and Monitor the Status: The ISFAP selection committee will email confirmation once your application is submitted. Check your email frequently to ensure you don’t miss opportunities.
Evidence of Income to Show Need for Financial Support:
Since poor and middle-class students are eligible for the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) scholarship, candidates must demonstrate that they are from a financially challenged family. They must so fulfill the requirements listed below:
- An annual household’s income shouldn’t exceed R600,000.
- They didn’t get any further support for their studies from other scholarship providers or organizations.
- They are significantly in need of funds for their schooling because they don’t have any other sources of income.
Academic Records to Highlight Accomplishments:
A minimum grade average point requirement, as well as particular academic achievement, are required of the candidates. In other words, the candidates need to have strong academic credentials. Additionally, the candidate has to be enrolled in or plan to enroll in a postgraduate at a recognized South African university. To be eligible for the ISFAP scholarship, students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Matric certificate or most recent Matric scores
- Need to begin their first-year studies in 2025
- received acceptance to a university to pursue a course of study included in the ISFAP standards.
Identity Documents to Prove Citizenship:
South African students are eligible for the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) grant. Consequently, they have to be:
- Residents of South Africa permanently or citizens of the country
Closing Date For ISFAP Bursary:
The ISFAP Bursary application deadline is at midnight on October 31, 2024.
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) Bursary application season typically starts in June and finishes in October each year for both postgraduate and undergraduate applicants. On June 3rd, 2024–2025, you can begin applying for an ISFAP to pursue your graduate or undergraduate studies. However, as this bursary provider would not consider late applications, hopefuls must submit their applications as soon as possible.
Contact Details:
If you have any questions about the ISFAP Bursary program, please get in touch with ISFAP directly at:
- Tel: 010 880 0400
- Email: [email protected]
For South African students who are struggling financially, the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) grant offers a priceless chance for higher education. By adhering to the application process’s crucial procedures and fulfilling vital conditions, students can maximize their chances of receiving financial support from the ISFAP bursary. Additionally, all of the valuable tips that candidates may use throughout their application have been included in our post. However, they must always make sure to apply as soon as possible and offer accurate information.