South African students who intend to continue their studies at university can apply for the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) funding opportunity and additional academic and personal support for 2027.
The support programme is intended for students who require financial assistance to fund their studies at a higher institution of learning.
Applications for ISFAP 2027 are currently under consideration by the online ISFAP application system.
Applicants should review participating universities, relevant qualifications and funding requirements before submitting their application.
The closing date for ISFAP student funding application for the 2027 academic year is 31 October 2026.
What is the ISFAP Student Grant?
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) offers financial assistance to South African students who meet the programme’s requirements.
Unlike some financial-aid opportunities, ISFAP can support students in a variety of ways.
Depending on the student’s application and the terms and conditions of their specific funding arrangement, ISFAP can include the following in their support package:
- University tuition fees;
- University accommodation or accommodation allowance;
- Meals or meal support;
- Learning materials;
- A living allowance;
- Tutorials;
- Mentorship;
- Psychosocial support;
- Life skills;
- Other student-support services;
However, the funding package does not always include every category. Applicants should be aware that ISFAP funding is subject to their financial circumstances, the terms and conditions attached to any specific funding arrangement and the availability of the necessary funding.
Who can apply for the ISFAP Student Grant?
ISFAP is open to students who meet particular financial, academic and programme requirements.
Applicants must meet the specific requirements relating to citizenship, household income, academic performance, qualifications, universities and ISFAP’s needs.
Students should not assume that one requirement automatically entitles them to funding.
The ISFAP programme rules apply to the information supplied by the applicant.
Household income requirements
Household income plays a significant role in the ISFAP requirements.
According to the information currently available on the University of Pretoria website, students must have a household income of less than R600 000 per annum, as well as additional academic and enrolment requirements.
ISFAP itself has stated that it targets the ‘missing middle’ – that is, students whose household income is too high to qualify for some forms of financial aid but too low to afford university education comfortably.
Historically published ISFAP documents have included a household-income bracket of between approximately R350 000 and R600 000.
Students should not assume that they automatically qualify for the ISFAP student grant according to their income. Applicants should instead complete the financial assessment.
Which students and qualifications are supported?
ISFAP focuses on occupations of high demand and specific higher-education programmes.
Some of the occupations and areas of study that ISFAP has traditionally supported include the following:
- Engineering;
- Medicine;
- Information technology;
- Data science;
- Accounting;
- Actuarial studies;
- Nursing.
The availability of a specific occupation or qualification is dependent on the relevant higher-education institution and the terms and conditions of the ISFAP funding for that academic year.
Students should therefore confirm the details with the online application system before they submit their application form.
Which universities participate?
ISFAP is available for students who study at certain higher-education institutions in South Africa. The online application system provides information about the available universities and their programmes.
Some of the universities that historically participated in the ISFAP programme include the following:
- University of Pretoria;
- University of Cape Town;
- University of the Witwatersrand;
- Stellenbosch University;
- University of Johannesburg;
- University of KwaZulu-Natal;
- University of the Free State;
- North-West University.
The availability of funding is dependent on the participating universities, their programmes and the terms and conditions of ISFAP for the relevant academic year.
Applicants should therefore confirm the details with the online application system before they submit their application form.
What can the student grant pay for?
The ISFAP student grant is intended to cover many of the expenses associated with students’ university studies, depending on the funding arrangement that applies to each applicant.
Tuition fees
The primary form of financial support that ISFAP offers is tuition fees for qualifying students. The extent of the coverage is dependent on the funding arrangement and the university.
Accommodation
Students who are offered ISFAP funding may receive support with their university accommodation or an allowance to cover their accommodation costs.
Learning materials
As part of the learning materials covered by the ISFAP student grant, students receive support with books and any other learning material that their studies require.
Meals and living support
ISFAP can offer a living allowance or support with meals. The allowance is subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant funding arrangement.
Academic support
A portion of the ISFAP funding is allocated to student support services to ensure that grantees receive the academic and personal support that they need to succeed.
This type of support is not limited to tuition-related expenses and can include tutorials, mentoring and other academic support.
ISFAP student grantees therefore receive comprehensive support that covers both their financial needs and their academic and personal needs.
ISFAP provides more than financial assistance
As well as offering financial support, ISFAP recognises that students need additional assistance to study at university.
Students who receive the ISFAP student grant can also receive academic and personal support.
Academic and personal support can include the following:
- Academic tutoring;
- Mentorship;
- Career guidance;
- Psychosocial support;
- Life skills;
- Other support services.
Individual financial aid does not always address all the needs of students. ISFAP therefore aims to provide comprehensive student support.
What documents should applicants prepare?
Applicants should complete and submit their application form. Students should however make sure that they have the necessary documentation ready before they begin their application.
Documentation can include the following:
- Applicant’s certified South African identity document;
- Certified South African identity documents of parents, guardians or any other relevant household members;
- Household income;
- Academic results;
- Any other financial documentation that the applicant may be required to submit.
The exact requirements are subject to the ISFAP application system and the documents that it requires. Students should therefore make sure that they have the correct documentation and that it meets the necessary requirements before they submit their application.
Incomplete applications or applications that do not include the required documentation will not be approved.
How to apply for the ISFAP Student Grant
Students can apply for the ISFAP student grant by completing an online application form.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Students should review the citizenship, income, academic and qualification requirements before they apply.
Step 2: Check your university
Applicants should make sure that the university of their choice participates in the ISFAP student grant.
Step 3: Check your qualification
Applicants should make sure that the qualification that they wish to pursue is available at the university that they have chosen and that ISFAP will fund it.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Applicants can prepare their documents, including their certified identity documents and academic results.
Step 5: Complete the online application
Once the students have completed the previous steps, they should complete the online application form and upload the required supporting documents.
Step 6: Submit before the closing date
Applicants should not leave their application until the last minute. They should submit it well before the closing date.
Step 7: Monitor your communication
Applicants should monitor the email address that they provide during the application process. They should respond to any requests for additional information or to clarify certain details.
ISFAP Student Grant 2027: Quick Facts
Detail Information
Programme Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme
Academic year 2027
Main applicants South African students
Financial assessment Household income and financial need
Income information Current institutional information refers to households below R600 000 per year
Target group Financially disadvantaged and ‘missing middle’ students
Study areas Selected high-demand occupations
Universities Participating institutions
Possible support Tuition, accommodation, meals, books and other assistance
Additional support Academic, mentoring and psychosocial services
Application method Online
Closing date 31 October 2026, according to the supplied 2027 application information
Applicants should confirm the latest information with ISFAP before they apply since the terms and conditions of the student grant can change.
Why students should apply early
Students should not submit their application on the day that the application system closes.
Applying for a student grant can be a complex process. Students must submit several documents, including certified copies of their identification documents and the income statements of their parents or guardians.
Applicants must also make sure that the university and the qualification that they have chosen are available and that they meet all the requirements.
Applying earlier gives students ample opportunity to correct any deficiencies in their application.
Students should check their course before applying
One of the most important aspects of ISFAP is the qualification that the student wishes to pursue.
Students must make sure that the university offers the course and that the ISFAP programme funds it.
Students therefore need to make sure of the following:
- The university;
- The faculty;
- The qualification;
- Whether the qualification is available during the relevant academic year;
- Whether the student meets the academic requirements for the qualification.
This step is critical because students will not receive funding if they apply for a course that is unfunded.
Student grant funding is not automatically guaranteed
Students should be aware that applying for the ISFAP student grant does not guarantee that they will receive funding.
ISFAP evaluates each application individually and considers several criteria, such as the financial needs of the applicant, their academic record, their intended field of study and the availability of funding.
Students should therefore apply for other sources of financial aid while they wait for a response.
Beware of unofficial application websites
Students must be particularly careful when applying for financial aid online.
Their identity documents, household income and other personal details include sensitive information that can be used to commit fraud or identity theft.
Students should always use the official application platform to apply for a student grant and should never submit their personal details on a social media platform or an unofficial website.
The official application portal for the ISFAP student grant is as follows:
ISFAP Online Application Portal: https://applyonline.isfap.org.za/
What South African students should do before applying
Before applying, South African students should complete the following steps:
Confirm that they are South African citizens.
Check their household financial circumstances.
Confirm that their university is supported.
Check that their intended qualification is eligible.
Prepare their certified identification documents.
Prepare their household-income information.
Have their latest academic results available.
Complete the necessary sections of the online application form.
Upload the required supporting documents.
Submit the application before the closing date.
Keep copies of their application and supporting documents.
ISFAP Student Grant 2027 closing date
The application information for the ISFAP student grant for the 2027 academic year indicates that the closing date is 31 October 2026.
Applicants should always confirm the closing date with the application portal, since it can change.
Editorial Policy
Our education and funding articles are created with the intention of providing informative and independent content to South African readers.
We endeavour to differentiate between factual information and general advice and to ensure that outdated information does not appear as current. Where factual information, such as funding criteria, application dates and eligibility requirements, can change, we recommend that readers confirm the information with the relevant organisation.
Fact-Checking Policy
The information about the ISFAP student grant has been fact-checked against available official ISFAP information, its application system and the information on the websites of the universities.
Where requirements differ according to the institution, the qualification, the funder or the academic year, the limitations have been noted.
Corrections Policy
If a correction needs to be made, the information will be compared with the relevant official source. Where a factual error has the potential to mislead an applicant, the article will be updated.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and educational purposes only and is not an official ISFAP announcement. It does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a student grant.
Eligibility, participating universities, supported qualifications, funding, application requirements and the closing date may change.
Applicants should confirm the latest information directly with ISFAP before they submit any application documents or make any decisions about their university funding.
Official Application
Students who are interested in the 2027 intake should use the ISFAP online application platform:
The official application platform should be regarded as the primary source of application information and instructions for applicants.
