The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) Bursary 2027 is now open for eligible South African students planning to begin their first year of undergraduate studies in 2027.
The programme is designed to support academically capable students who require financial assistance to access higher education, particularly those from the “missing middle” who may not qualify for traditional funding but whose families cannot comfortably afford the full cost of university.
For the 2027 academic year, qualifying students can receive comprehensive financial support covering major study and living expenses, subject to the programme’s eligibility requirements and available funding.
ISFAP Bursary 2027 Overview
Bursary Provider: Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP)
Academic Year: 2027
Study Level: First-year undergraduate
Country: South Africa
Funding Type: Comprehensive bursary
Household Income Limit: Up to R600,000 per year
Closing Date: 31 October 2026 at midnight
Students intending to enrol at an approved South African public tertiary institution in 2027 should review the eligibility requirements and supported programmes before applying.
What Does the ISFAP Bursary Cover?
The ISFAP Bursary is intended to provide comprehensive financial assistance rather than covering tuition fees alone.
Depending on the student’s circumstances and the applicable funding arrangements, support may include:
- University tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Travel costs where applicable
- Prescribed textbooks and learning materials
- Meals
- Living allowance or stipend
In addition to financial assistance, students may benefit from academic, social, life-skills and medical support provided through their participating university.
This broader support can help students concentrate on their studies while reducing the financial pressures associated with university life.
Who Can Apply for the ISFAP Bursary 2027?
Applicants must satisfy the programme’s eligibility requirements to be considered for funding.
You may apply if you:
- Are a South African citizen.
- Are currently completing Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Have been accepted to study at an approved public tertiary institution in 2027.
- Have been accepted into a qualification supported by ISFAP.
- Will be entering your first year of undergraduate study in 2027.
- Have a total annual household income of no more than R600,000.
- Can demonstrate a genuine financial need.
ISFAP has a particular focus on students from households that fall within the funding gap commonly referred to as the “missing middle”. This generally includes households with annual income between approximately R350,000 and R600,000.
Meeting the income requirement alone does not guarantee that an applicant will receive funding, as selection is also influenced by academic and programme-related factors.
What Can You Study With the ISFAP Bursary?
ISFAP supports approved qualifications connected to skills and occupations considered important to South Africa’s development and economy.
Depending on the participating university, eligible fields may include:
- Engineering
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Accounting and Commerce
- Economics and Finance
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Education
- Agriculture
- Environmental Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Law
- Architecture and Built Environment
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Data Science
- Transport and Logistics
- Hospitality and Tourism
Applicants should carefully check the approved programme list because ISFAP does not necessarily fund every qualification offered by every participating institution.
Your specific university and qualification must meet the programme’s funding criteria.
Universities Participating in the ISFAP Bursary
The ISFAP programme supports eligible students at participating South African public universities and universities of technology.
Participating institutions include:
- University of Pretoria
- University of Venda
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Walter Sisulu University
- University of the Free State
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- North-West University
- University of the Western Cape
- University of Limpopo
- Vaal University of Technology
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
- Rhodes University
- University of Fort Hare
- Durban University of Technology
- University of Zululand
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- University of Mpumalanga
- Sol Plaatje University
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Stellenbosch University
- Nelson Mandela University
- University of Johannesburg
- Central University of Technology
Since eligible qualifications differ between institutions, students should verify their exact course before submitting an application.
How Are ISFAP Bursary Recipients Selected?
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not automatically guaranteed funding.
ISFAP considers a combination of factors when assessing applications. These may include:
- Household financial circumstances
- Academic performance
- Matric results
- Admission to an approved programme
- The availability of funding
Depending on the institution and programme, National Benchmark Test results may also form part of the assessment process.
Applicants should therefore provide accurate information and ensure that all supporting documentation is complete.
Documents Required for the ISFAP Bursary
Applicants should prepare the necessary supporting documents before beginning the online application.
These include:
- Certified copy of the applicant’s South African ID.
- Certified Grade 11 final results and latest Matric results for current Grade 12 learners.
- Certified Matric certificate or final results for applicants who have completed Matric.
- Completed ISFAP Funding Application Consent Form.
- Proof of household income.
- Latest payslips for employed household contributors.
- Affidavits where applicable for unemployed household members.
- Proof of grants or pension income where applicable.
- Certified identity documents for parents, guardians and other household contributors.
The required supporting documents should generally have been certified within the previous three months.
Applicants are encouraged to organise their documentation before starting the application so that the process can be completed accurately.
How to Apply for the ISFAP Bursary 2027
Applications are submitted online through the ISFAP application platform.
Applicants should create an account, log in and complete the application form with accurate personal, academic and household financial information.
Apply online: ISFAP Online Application Portal
After completing the application, upload all required supporting documents and carefully review the information before submitting.
Applicants should also ensure that their chosen university and qualification are eligible for ISFAP funding before finalising the application.
ISFAP Bursary Closing Date 2027
The closing date for the ISFAP Bursary 2027 is:
31 October 2026 at midnight.
Students should avoid waiting until the final day to submit their applications. Applying early allows time to correct missing information, obtain required documents or resolve technical problems.
Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered for a later academic year rather than the 2027 intake.
ISFAP Contact Details
For questions regarding the bursary programme and application process, applicants can contact ISFAP through:
Telephone: 010 880 0400
Email: [email protected]
Applicants should consult the official application information and frequently asked questions before contacting the organisation.
Who Should Apply?
The ISFAP Bursary 2027 may be particularly valuable for academically deserving South African students who are preparing to enter university for the first time and require financial support.
Students should consider applying if they:
- Are South African citizens.
- Will begin their first undergraduate year in 2027.
- Have secured admission to an eligible institution and programme.
- Come from a household within the applicable income range.
- Can demonstrate financial need.
- Meet the academic requirements of their selected programme.
Because funding is subject to eligibility and availability, students should not assume that meeting one requirement guarantees an award.
Why Consider the ISFAP Bursary?
The cost of university extends beyond tuition fees. Accommodation, food, transport, textbooks and other living expenses can create significant financial challenges for students and their families.
The ISFAP Bursary seeks to address these challenges through comprehensive financial assistance combined with additional student support.
For eligible students entering university in 2027, the programme can therefore provide an important opportunity to pursue higher education without carrying the full financial burden of study.
Final Thoughts
The ISFAP Bursary 2027 offers financial assistance to qualifying South African students entering their first year of undergraduate study at participating public tertiary institutions.
Eligible students should confirm that their university and specific qualification are supported, prepare the required documentation and complete the online application before the deadline.
Closing Date: 31 October 2026 at midnight.
