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More than 1,000 students in Cyprus received financial support this year from the Independent Social Support Agency (ISSA), a foundation dedicated to ensuring that no young person is forced to abandon higher education due to financial difficulties.
The assistance, covering tuition fees or rent, brings the total number of students helped over the past decade to 4,100, with support totaling €5.8 million, the Agency said.
The agency also expanded its eligibility criteria in 2024 to cover emergency situations such as the death of a family member, serious illness, unemployment, or natural disasters
Founded in 2013 by Andri Anastasiades, wife of then-President Nicos Anastasiades, the agency was created in response to the economic crisis in Cyprus, which left many families struggling and forced some students to interrupt their studies. Its initial focus was on children whose parents had lost their jobs, ensuring they could complete their first university degree.
Under the leadership of Filippa Karseara Christodoulidou, wife of current President Nicos Christodoulides, the agency expanded its financial resources and extended its support to more students, complementing existing state assistance.
“Whatever each child’s story may be, they have the right to live with dignity and be happy. Through higher education, we give them a powerful tool,” Christodoulidou said at a presentation of the Agency’s activities.
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will be accepted from October 27 to November 17 through the Agency’s website. For the first time, the foundation is widening its support to include graduates of the Georgios Markou School for the Deaf, the School for the Blind, and students resettled from the occupied areas of Kormakiti and Rizokarpaso.
The agency also expanded its eligibility criteria in 2024 to cover emergency situations such as the death of a family member, serious illness, unemployment, or natural disasters that disrupt a family’s financial situation.
Christodoulidou emphasized the Foundation’s transparency. “Everything is out in the open,” she said, noting that the organization has no administrative expenses, is audited multiple times, and is run by officials who volunteer their time.
“Every donation of €1,500-2,000 helps a child whose family could not otherwise afford higher education,” she said. “This is not charity. It is a social obligation, an investment in our young people, and the best expression of social responsibility.”
The Agency’s treasurer, Andreas Antoniadis, the General Accountant of the Republic, stressed the importance of independent auditing and clear financial disclosure, saying they ensure accountability and good governance.
For more information or to apply, visit https://socialsupport.gov.cy.
