Do you wish to study or are already studying at a public university or TVET college and come from a family with an income of R350,000 or less?
Then, you’ll love today’s post.
You can qualify for a government bursary offered via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
It is a government initiative that provides fully subsidised free higher education and training for poor and working-class South Africans.
If you fall under this category and are currently in need of financial aid to further your study, then keep reading.
We’ll guide you throughout your NSFAS application for the best result.
Let’s dive into it now.
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What is NSFAS?
NSFAS is a government entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training established according to the NSFAS Act (Act 56 of 1999) to provide financial support to disadvantaged students who wish to further their studies at public universities or TVET colleges.
The funding covers approved funded programmes at universities which are all undergraduate whole qualifications, i.e. degree and diploma.
What Does NSFAS Cover?
NSFAS provide the following benefits for successful candidates planning to attend a South African university:
- Accommodation (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
- Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,500 per annum
- Living allowance R15,000 per annum
- Book allowances R5,200 per annum
- Incidental/personal care allowance R2,900 per annum for students in catered residences
On the other hand, qualified applicants who wish to enrol at a TVET college will be granted the following financial assistance:
- Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
- Accommodation in a peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
- Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum
- Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350 per annum
- Transport R7000 per annum
- Incidental/personal care allowance R,900 per annum
Who Qualifies for NSFAS Funding?
NSFAS is available for students who meet these categories:
- South African citizens
- SASSA grant recipients
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350,000 per annum
- A person with disability whose combined household income is not more than R600,000 per annum
- Students who started studying before 2018 whose household income is not more than R122,000 per annum
On the contrary, the following individuals aren’t advised to apply for the financial assistance programme:
- Students that have completed a previous qualification
- Students with a combined household income of more than R350,000 per annum
- Students who have already applied, qualified and received funding
- Foreign students (any student who is not a South African citizen)
Also, you need to have passed Grade 9 to 12 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a TVET college and Grade 12 to receive funding to study at a university or TVET college.
If you are approved for NSFAS funding, you will be required to meet the academic admission requirements of the university or TVET college before NSFAS allocates any funding to you.
NSFAS Requirements
Students must submit the following documents when applying for funding:
- Copy of student’s ID (if you have a Smart ID card, both sides should be visible on the copy)
- Copy of your parent/s or guardian or spouse ID
- Proof of income (where applicable)
If you have a disability, please provide completed and signed Annexure A (if your information is not pre-populated on the portal).
However, if you are an orphan, please provide a completed and signed Declaration Form.
Other documents may also be required if applicable, such as a retrenchment letter or UIF documentation, death certificate/s or divorce decree.
NSFAS Application: How to Apply for NSFAS Funding
Students must register on the myNSFAS portal and complete the application form to apply for funding as well as to track their application status after applying.
Follow these quick steps to create a myNSFAS profile:
- Log onto nsfas.org.za.
- Click on ‘register’.
- Complete the required fields (ID number, cellphone number and email address)
- Upload a copy of your ID or birth certificate. If you are uploading a copy of a Smart ID, please ensure that both sides are visible on the copy.
A One Time Pin to activate the account will be sent to the contact number you submitted.
Once you have created a myNSFAS profile, you will then be able to apply online by following the few steps below:
- Click on ‘Apply’.
- Complete all the required fields where applicable.
- Upload all supporting documents.
- A reference number will be sent to your cellphone number and email address.
Please note that NSFAS no longer requires a signed consent form to allow for the verification of applicants’ details with third parties. Students can give consent by clicking on the box at the bottom of the page before submitting the application.
Students are not required to certify copies of their documents.
NSFAS Application Closing Date
Applications will open for two weeks, from August 18 to September 03.
Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
NSFAS application results will be communicated to all applicants once NSFAS received confirmation from the institution that an academic offer has been made to you.
This will be communicated to you before the start of the academic year via SMS, email and through your myNSFAS account.
NSFAS Official Website
Click here to access the official website of NSFAS.
While we try to keep the information up to date and accurate, information is subject to change without prior notice.
Thus, please always refer to the official website of the bursary provider for complete and updated information.