Are you a student in need of financial assistance? The ISFAP Bursary Program is here to help. This article will provide an overview of the program’s eligibility, coverage, and requirements so that students can make informed decisions about their future.
The cost of college tuition has been rising steadily over the years, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford higher education on their own. A bursary provides much-needed monetary support to those who may not be able to pursue educational opportunities otherwise. The ISFAP Bursary Program is just such a resource for qualifying South African citizens looking to further their studies at accredited institutions within the country.
Whether you are already aware of the program or this is your first introduction, this article will outline exactly what criteria must be met in order to take advantage of these funds and how they could benefit you as a student. Read on to learn more about the ISFAP Bursary Program!
Table of Contents
Overview Of The Isfap Bursary
The ISFAP Bursary Program is an education funding program that helps students in financial need pursue their studies. It provides bursaries to eligible learners who want to pursue higher education and require financial assistance for tuition, accommodation, books, and other expenses. To qualify for the bursary, applicants must meet certain criteria like academic performance and income requirements.
In addition, there are specific documents required when applying for the ISFAP Bursary such as proof of identity and supporting documentation regarding household income levels. The application process itself includes filling out an online form with all necessary information before submitting it to be reviewed by a panel of experts. Once approved, recipients receive funds directly from the ISFAP organization.
It’s important to understand these qualifications and requirements if you’re interested in receiving help through this program. Here we’ll discuss what qualifies someone to apply for the ISFAP Bursary, so read on to learn more about how you can benefit from this support system.
Why was ISFAP created?
In 2016 the then Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Blade Nzimande appointed Mr. Sizwe Nxasana to lead a Ministerial Task Team (MTT) to explore various options for funding the “poor” and “missing middle“ students who require financial assistance in order to succeed in tertiary education programmes. The MTT report that came out of this process proposed a model that brings together the Public and Private sectors together through a partnership to enable this objective.
How will Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme work?
Each student will receive enough funding to cover all tuition costs as well as accommodation and travel (if the student does not have accommodation), books, meals, and a stipend (living allowance). This will be through a fully funded grant bursary. In addition, the Universities will provide students with academic support, social support, life skills training, and medical support when required.
Qualifications For Applying
It can be daunting to apply for a bursary, especially when there are so many eligibility requirements and documents to submit. But don’t let that get in the way of applying for the ISFAP Bursary – it’s an excellent opportunity to receive financial assistance if you qualify! To help you out, here is a brief overview of what makes someone eligible for this program.
To begin with, applicants must meet certain academic criteria which include being enrolled at one of South Africa’s accredited universities or colleges and having passed Grade 12 in the previous year. Additionally, they must also demonstrate financial need by providing supporting documentation regarding household income levels(Applicants from families whose annual income is between R0 – R600 000.00 per annum). Lastly, applicants must be 18 years old or above and should submit all necessary documents along with their application form through the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Program (ISFAP) website.
TIP: Make sure your application contains accurate information as any discrepancies will lead to disqualification from the program! Also, do not forget to double-check all documents before submitting them online on the ISFAP portal – after submission, no changes can be made.
How are the students selected? What are the qualifying criteria?
- A household means test is done for all applying students
- Academic criteria and registration, which vary per institution but will include:
- A National Benchmarking Test for some institutions (academic and behavioral strength)
- Matric results
- Funder constraints (that meet individual funder objectives) which will be applied to students applying
Types Of Coverage And Benefits
The ISFAP Bursary Programme offers a variety of coverage and benefits to eligible students. These include both an allowance for tuition fees, as well as a monthly living stipend that can be used towards accommodation and other costs associated with studying or training. This means the programme is not only able to cover educational expenses, but also help alleviate some of the financial strain that comes along with attending college.
What does the full cost of study mean/entail?
The full of cost of the study is broken down into the following:
- Tuition fees;
- Accommodation;
- Food;
- Learning materials (calculator, textbooks, learning material);
- Living allowance/pocket money;
- Non-academic student support (project manager; tutorial support; life support; admin support; life skills training; staff mentors).
How much does it cost to fund each student?
The cost of funding per student differs depending on the institution since ISFAP covers the full cost of study. On average, the full cost of study per student is R166,668.00. This value is based on the funding of more than 1700 students across various universities and courses.
These allowances are designed to provide assistance and support throughout the student’s academic journey, making sure their studies don’t suffer due to a lack of funds. With this in mind, let’s now take a look at how one can apply for the program so they can reap its many rewards!
Deadline For Submitting Applications
It’s important to be aware of the closing date for submitting ISFAP applications. Applications must be received no later than the end of 31 October 2023 – though it is worth noting that this can vary depending on specific deadlines set by universities or colleges. It’s also crucial to bear in mind that applications need to be submitted via an online application portal, and any paperwork needed must arrive before the deadline as well.
The opening date for when you can start applying for ISFAP funding typically commences in May each academic year – so make sure you plan ahead! That way, there will be plenty of time to ensure all details are correct and complete within the system prior to reaching the required submission period.
How To Apply For The Program
Unlocking the rewards of an ISFAP Bursary is like unlocking a treasure chest; it takes some effort, but it’s worth it in the end! Applying for this programme requires you to take several steps and provide the necessary documentation. To get started on your application journey, here are the two main things you need to do:
First, complete the ISFAP online application form as accurately and truthfully as possible. This will give you access to all benefits that could be yours if successful. Then, make sure you have all supporting documents ready so they can be easily uploaded when needed – these include proof of income or financial aid status, academic transcripts, letters of reference from teachers/mentors, and other relevant information.
Once submitted, applicants should keep their eyes peeled for communication regarding their status – successful applications will receive an email notification with further instructions about how to use their bursary funds after being verified by administrators. Now let’s look at what verifying eligibility entails…
ISFAP Application Process
The application process for financial funding from ISFAP entails:
- Apply and get accepted at your University of choice.
- Assess if you qualify based on the University you have been accepted at and then check against Universities we have partnered with.
- Assess if you qualify based on ISFAP funded degrees/programmes at University we have partnered with.
- Check your e-mails regularly once you have started your application process for further engagement and application status update.
- Applications for the academic year 2024 will be opening on the 18th of May 2023. Please proceed to Apply here
Checking Application Status
Once applicants have submitted their ISFAP application online, they can check the status of their request by logging into the system. It is important to ensure that you keep an eye on your application’s progress ahead of the closing date – if any details change or need updating in order for it to be approved then this needs to be done before the deadline. If there are any queries related to your ISFAP application then these should also be sent through using the relevant contact details provided.
It’s worth noting however that due to a high volume of applications received, inquiries may take some time to receive a response from administrators. So make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date well in advance – especially as we approach closer to the deadline for submitting applications!
Where does ISFAP get its funds from?
As per the Ministerial Task Team’s recommendations, funding is being raised from:
- Non-profit organisations;
- Government institutions;
- Development finance institutions;
- Foundations and Private sector;
- Local and international donors;
- Private individuals.
Which tertiary institutions has ISFAP partnered?
ISFAP has partnered with the following public universities/institutions and has representation in all these institutions:
- 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 KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Johannesburg
ISFAP will in due course partner with all 26 Public Universities in South Africa.
What areas of study does ISFAP fund?
The areas of study funded by ISFAP vary for each institution. Below is a list per institution, although this is the current list as of May 2022, ISFAP will continue to add to this list of Universities and courses which align to the skills most needed by the Country under “Occupations of High Demand” as defined by the Department of Higher Education:
Central University of Technology
- Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Engineer Tech in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor Of Construction in Construction Management
- Bachelor Of Construction in Quantity Surveying
Nelson Mandela University
- BEngTech (Marine Engineering)
- BEngTech (Mechanical Engineering)
- BEngTech (Industrial Engineering)
- BEngTech (Electrical Engineering)
- BEngTech (Civil Engineering)
- BEng (Mechatronics)
- BSc (Computer Science)
- Bachelor of Science Construction Management
- Bachelor of Science Quantity Surveying
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Science(Computer Science & Information Systems)
University of Venda
- BCom (Cost and Man Acc)
- BCom Economics
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Sciences)
Stellenbosch University
- BCom (Management Accounting)
- BCom (Financial Accounting)
- BCom (Actuarial Science)
- BSc in Food Science
- BCom (Management Sciences) with focal area Quantitative Management
- BCom (Mathematical Sciences) with focal area Operations Research
- BCom (Management Sciences) with focal area Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
- BAcc
- BEng Chemical Engineering
- BCom (Management Sciences) with focal area Marketing Management
- BEng Civil Engineering
- BCom (Management Sciences) with focal area Logistics Management
- BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BCom (Mathematical Sciences)
- BEng Industrial Engineering
- BCom (Management Sciences)
- BEng Mechanical Engineering
- BCom (Economic Sciences)
- BEng Mechatronic Engineering
- BCom
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
University of the Witwatersrand
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- BSc (Eng) – Industrial Engineering
- BSc in Electrical and Information Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Economic Science
- BSc Mining Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
- Bachelor of Nursing
- BSc Engineering (Metallurgy & Material)
- Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies
- Bcom Accounting
- Bcom Information Systems
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Accounting Science
- BSc (Eng) – Chemical Engineering
- BSc (Eng) – Mechanical Engineering
- BSc (Eng) – Aeronautical Engineering
- BSc (Eng) – Civil Engineering
- BSc (Eng) – Electrical Engineering
- MBBCh – Medicine
- BSc – Mathematical Sciences
- BSc – Actuarial Science
- BSc – Mathematics of Finance
- BCom – Bachelor of Commerce
University of Pretoria
- BEng Chemical Engineering
- BEng Civil Engineering
- BEng Computer Engineering
- BEng Electrical Engineering
- BEng Electronic Engineering
- BEng Industrial Engineering
- BEng Mechanical Engineering
- BEng Metallurgical Engineering
- BEng Mining Engineering
- BCom Accounting Sciences
- BSc Actuarial and Financial Mathematics
- MBChB
- BSc Mathematical Statistics
- BSc Quantity Surveying
- Bachelor in Town and Regional Planning
- BCom Supply Chain Management
- BCom Business Management
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (B Nur)
- BIT (Information Systems)
- BCom Financial Sciences
- BCom (Econometrics)
- Bcom Information Science
- Bcom Statistics and Data Science
- BSc IT (Information and Knowledge Systems)
- BTown and Regional Planning Town and Regional Planning
- BSc Computer Science
- BSc Food Science
- Bcom (Economics & Management Sc)
Walter Sisulu University
- B Tech: Engineering: Civil
- B Tech: Engineering: Electrical
- Bachelor of Medicine in Clinical Practice
- B Tech in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science (Physics with Chemistry)
- Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
- Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences
- BSc Statistics
- Bachelor of Medical Sciences
University of Cape Town
- Bachelor of Business Science in Actuarial Science
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechatronics
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
- Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
- BSc in Property Studies
- BSc in Construction Studies
- Bachelor of Commerce specializing in FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING: CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
- Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Information Systems & Finance
- BCom
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) – Statistical Genetics as field of study
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) with focal area Analytics and Optimisation
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) with focal area Behavioural Economics
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) with focal area Statistical Learning
- BCom Mathematical Sciences with focal area Data Science
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) – Computer Science stream
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) – Applied Mathematics
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) – Statistical Physics stream
- Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSc) – Geoinformatics focal area
Tshwane University of Technology
- Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (B Nur)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (B Nur)
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Science
University of Johannesburg
- BEng Tech (Industrial Engineering)
- BEngTech (Chemical Engineering)
- BSc Construction Management
- BEng Tech Physical Metallurgy
- Bachelor of Urban and Regional planning
- BEng Tech Extraction Metallurgy
- BCom Logistics Management
- ND Retailing
- Adv Diploma Retail Business Management
- Bachelor of Mine Surveying
- BEng Tech (Mining Engineering)
- BSc Mathematical Sciences
- BCom Finance
- Bachelor of Human Resource Management
- BCom in Economics and Econometrics
- BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING CA-STREAM
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Informatics
- BEng Tech in Mechanical Engineering
- BEng Tech in Electrical Engineering
- BEng in Mechanical Engineering
- BEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Contact Information And Points Of Enquiry
Getting all the information you need about ISFAP can be a daunting task, so it’s important to have access to detailed contact information and points of inquiry for help. The Student Helpline is available 24/7 for any questions or queries and provides a comprehensive guide on how to apply as well as details regarding eligibility and coverage of the bursary. Additionally, applicants should visit the official website which contains more specific information such as application deadlines, fees structure, required documents, etc.,
For those who are still struggling with comprehending their rights and responsibilities under the program, there are several avenues they can take in order to obtain further clarity. This includes consulting student advisors at their institutions or speaking directly with an ISFAP representative either over email, phone calls, or even social media platforms such as WhatsApp or Twitter. With this wide range of support systems in place, potential recipients can rest assured knowing that assistance is always within reach when needed most.
Address:
- 17 Fricker Road, Illovo, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
- Call Centre
- 010 880 0400
- Student Matters – ISFAP
- students@isfap.org.za
Funding and Partnerships
- partners@isfap.org.za
- Media Queries
- media@isfap.org.za
For more details about the Isfap Bursary Program please click here
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ISFAP bursary program is a great opportunity for students of all backgrounds to take advantage of. Through this incredible initiative, individuals can invest in their own future and gain access to the education they never thought possible. With qualifications that are easy to meet, an extensive coverage list of benefits, and a simple application process, there’s no reason not to apply.
Moreover, with the potential impact on employment opportunities after graduation being heightened due to increased resources and support from the ISFAP bursary program, it’s hard to deny its value. It truly exemplifies one proverb: knowledge is power!
Ultimately, if you’re looking for ways to finance your educational goals – look no further than the ISFAP Bursary Program; it could prove revolutionary for your academic aspirations. Don’t wait any longer – seize the moment and start investing in yourself today!
