South African students enrolling in insurance, financial services- and related fields can start preparing for the Insurance Sector Student Fund (ISSF) bursary that INSETA will open for the 2027 cycle.
Students who qualify for the INSETA bursary and study occupations related to the insurance sector can receive financial support towards tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, accommodation, meals, technology devices and a maintenance allowance.
The dates for the INSETA ISSF bursary 2027 opening and closing are not currently announced on the organisation’s page. The funding programme for the 2026 cycle does not yet accept applications. Prospective students must complete the necessary documentation in preparation and not rely on an expected deadline.
INSETA ISSF Bursary 2027: Key Details
Bursary detail Information
Bursary provider Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA)
Funding programme Insurance Sector Student Fund (ISSF)
Academic year 2027
Main focus Insurance and related financial services occupations
Potential applicants Eligible unemployed and employed individuals, depending on the category
Study opportunities Subject to the programme and the institution
Funding benefits Depends on the category and the approved package
2027 application status Not yet officially announced in the ISSF page
Closing date Not confirmed
Official information INSETA ISSF page
The INSETA ISSF bursary aims to fund the education and training of individuals enrolling in occupations related to the insurance sector.
Applicants must identify whether they are an unemployed or employed student according to the eligibility criteria and prepare the necessary documentation before submitting their applications.
What is the INSETA Insurance Sector Student Fund?
The Insurance Sector Student Fund is a financial assistance programme that INSETA opened to support students who pursue qualifications in the insurance industry.
The organisation collaborates with organisations and education providers to fund training in the insurance value chain, as well as related fields. The INSETA ISSF bursary has supported many unemployed students and employees who wish to continue their studies.
As a student, this form of financial aid can reduce the financial burden of obtaining a tertiary qualification. However, the availability of the bursary depends on the application window, eligibility criteria, approved programmes and funding at the time of submitting the application.
What Does the INSETA Bursary Cover?
Previous INSETA ISSF documentation includes information about the benefits that unemployed and employed students can expect to receive as financial aid.
The funding depends on the category, programme and approved institution.
Funding for unemployed students
According to the previous funding guidelines, the INSETA bursary covers the following:
- Tuition fees.
- Prescribed books and other learning materials.
- Accommodation and meals.
- Technology devices, including laptops and data.
- Monthly allowance.
The benefits that one can expect to receive when studying as an unemployed student vary depending on the programme and the institution.
Therefore, one must not expect to receive all the benefits that are mentioned.
Funding for employed students
According to the previous INSETA ISSF guidelines, the following applies:
- Employed students can expect to receive tuition and book allowances.
- The benefits differ for the unemployed and employed categories.
One must clarify whether one fits within the unemployed or employed category and ascertain the benefits that one can expect to receive.
Note: The above benefits apply to previous INSETA ISSF guidelines. The bursary benefits for the 2027 cycle will only be available when INSETA announces the documents with the requirements for the application.
Who Can Apply for the INSETA Bursary?
Eligibility criteria generally depend on the category of the bursary, the programme and the requirements of the respective applications.
South African citizenship, financial need and admission to a recognised institution are some of the requirements for the INSETA ISSF bursary.
1. South African citizenship
Applicants must be citizens of South Africa.
Previous guidelines do not clarify if one will be considered for the bursary if one has dual nationality or nationality from another country.
One must submit proof of citizenship in the form of a certified copy of one’s ID during the application process.
2. Age
Some of the previous third-party bursary lists state that unemployed applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, and that employed students do not have limits regarding their ages.
However, the above information does not appear on the INSETA ISSF page.
Note: One must confirm whether the application is within the stipulated age bracket to avoid disqualification.
3. Recognised tertiary institutions
The INSETA ISSF bursary applies to various higher education institutions, including universities, universities of technology, colleges of further education and approved education and implementation partners.
Not all tertiary institutions approve candidates for the INSETA bursary. One must confirm whether the institution that one wishes to attend qualifies for financial aid.
4. Qualifications related to the insurance sector
The INSETA ISSF bursary facilitates the study of qualifications that fall within the insurance value chain and related fields.
Previous INSETA ISSF guidelines mention the following:
- Actuarial science.
- Insurance and brokerage.
- Compliance.
- Risk management.
- Financial investment and insurance advice.
- Insurance claims.
- Underwriting.
- Software development and information technology.
- Sales and marketing management.
The above list is not exhaustive of the fields of study that INSETA ISSF will fund in 2027.
5. Other bursary funding
Some of the previous third-party guidelines clarify that students must not apply for other bursaries at the same time.
The guidelines for the 2027 bursary may change. One must read the requirements and inform oneself regarding other financial aid.
How to Apply for the INSETA Bursary 2027
The application procedure will depend on whether one wishes to apply as an unemployed or employed student, as well as the guidelines that INSETA publishes for the 2027 cycle.
According to the previous INSETA ISSF guidelines, the following applies:
- Students must apply through higher education institutions and approved implementation partners.
- The institutions and partners apply for the bursary on behalf of the students.
- Therefore, one must contact one’s institution to clarify the application procedure.
One must follow the instructions below when applying for the INSETA ISSF bursary:
- Visit the official INSETA ISSF page and confirm whether the organisation announced new guidelines for the 2027 application cycle.
- Determine the application procedure by reading the notice that INSETA published.
- Determine whether one’s qualification and institution fit within the criteria.
- If one’s institution assists with applications, one must contact the financial aid or bursary office.
- Prepare the necessary documents.
- Submit the application according to the instructions and within the specified period.
Official information: INSETA Insurance Sector Student Fund
Note: The opening and closing dates for the INSETA ISSF bursary 2027 are not announced on the INSETA page at the time of writing.
Documents to Prepare
The list of required documents will depend on the 2027 INSETA ISSF guidelines and the personal circumstances of the applicant.
However, the following documents generally apply:
- A certified copy of a valid South African ID.
- Certified Matric or Grade 12 results.
- The latest academic record or transcript.
- Proof of enrolment at a tertiary institution.
- Tuition fee quotation or course quotation.
- Letter of employment (if applicable).
- Other required funding documents or learner agreements.
Depending on the application, one may have to submit additional documents to INSETA or the implementing partner regarding one’s personal needs.
Once INSETA ISSF announces the application guidelines for 2027, one can use the document list to prepare for the application.
Note: The 2027 application may not require the same documents as the 2026 application.
Why Consider a Career in Insurance?
Careers in the insurance industry include a wide range of occupations, from underwriters to claims adjusters, compliance officers to actuaries, and sales managers to customer service representatives.
Some of these careers require degrees, while others require short courses and experience.
However, for one to succeed in these careers, one requires an appropriate qualification, relevant knowledge and training.
A bursary does not guarantee employment or registration with a company that participates INSETA.
Accordingly, one must research the qualification that one wishes to pursue and confirm that one understands and meets the academic, professional and other requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are INSETA bursary applications for 2027 open?
The INSETA ISSF page does not announce the opening of applications for the 2027 cycle.
If one wishes to apply for the INSETA ISSF bursary, one must visit the page regularly and confirm whether the organisation announced new guidelines for the upcoming cycle.
How much does the INSETA bursary pay?
According to the previous guidelines, the INSETA ISSF bursary 2026 covers tuition fees, books, accommodation, meals and a maintenance allowance for unemployed students.
Employed students can expect to receive a tuition and book allowance.
Note: The amount of the INSETA ISSF bursary for the 2027 cycle will only be available when INSETA publishes the application guidelines.
Does the bursary cover accommodation and textbooks?
According to the previous guidelines, the INSETA bursary can cover accommodation, meals, and prescribed books for unemployed students.
However, to obtain the most accurate information, one must refer to the 2027 guidelines.
Can employed students apply?
The INSETA ISSF bursary is available for unemployed and employed students.
However, the benefits that one can expect to receive from the bursary differ.
Accordingly, one must read the application guidelines to determine whether one fits within the unemployed or employed category.
Can I apply directly to INSETA?
The application procedure will depend on whether one wishes to apply as an unemployed or employed student.
According to the previous application guidelines, higher education institutions apply for the bursary on behalf of the students.
However, one must follow the instructions that INSETA publishes.
What is the closing date for the 2027 bursary?
The closing date for the INSETA ISSF bursary 2027 is not announced on the organisation’s page.
Accordingly, one must not rely on estimates for the closing date. One must visit the INSETA ISSF page regularly to confirm when the application period will open.
Sources and Verification
This article uses INSETA resources and previous guidelines for the Insurance Sector Student Fund (ISSF) bursary. It also uses online bursary resources.
- INSETA — Insurance Sector Student Fund
- INSETA — ISSF Higher Education Institutions and Strategic Implementation Partners notice
- INSETA — Discretionary Application Window Notification for 2026/2027
- All Bursaries — INSETA ISSF Bursary
The INSETA ISSF page does not announce the opening of applications for the 2027 cycle. The 2026 application cycle is not open, and the 2027 opening date, closing date, eligibility criteria and benefits are not announced. Therefore, historical funding information may not apply to the current cycle.
Editorial Note
This article aims to assist South African students who wish to apply for the INSETA ISSF bursary.
The information in this article is for guidance purposes; it is not an application for financial aid, a guarantee of obtaining a bursary or a recommendation.
Accordingly, one must consult INSETA and the higher education institution or implementation partner before applying for the INSETA ISSF bursary.
Corrections and Updates
If INSETA publishes new application dates, eligibility criteria, financial benefits or application procedures, this article may update the information using reliable sources.
Those who identify errors in the article can contact the website’s editorial team through the contact page and provide the necessary information so that the article can verify and update the information.
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