Apply for NSFAS
Break down on the entire NSFAS application process, step-by-step, from eligibility to status check and appeal.
The NSFAS aims to fund the higher education of financially deserving and academically bright students at UNISA. For the upcoming academic year, NSFAS has already opened applications.
NSFAS Opening Dates
Each year, the NSFAS funding program starts in September. For the 2024 academic year, the application was opened in early November 2023.
NSFAS Closing Dates
The closing date for the NSFAS bursary program is January 31, 2024 (until 12 am). Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Applying for the NSFAS funding program is easier, just like any other bursary program. All you need to do is check your eligibility, gather some documents, and submit everything on the application portal. So, let us dive right in and go through the entire process step by step.
Eligibility Criteria
You must fulfill a few requirements to qualify for the NSFAS bursary.
- The applicant must be a South African national. Or they must be living as a permanent resident.
- The applicant must have a registered email and phone number.
- If the applicant is a SASSA recipient, they can automatically qualify for the financial assistance.
- The applicant must have a combined gross household income of not more than R350,000 per annum.
- The applicant must have a gross household income of not more than R600,000 per annum. It applies to applicants with disabilities.
- First-time entering applicants must have a course credit pass rate of at least 50% during the previous academic term.
- Current university students must have a course credit pass rate of at least 55% during the previous academic term.
Required Documents for NSFAS
Here are a few supporting documents you must submit along with your NSFAS application form.
- The applicant’s birth certificate (certified copy).
- The applicant’s state-authorized South African ID document. Bar-coded ID documents and smart ID cards are also accepted.
- Applicant’s registered phone number and email address.
- Applicant’s latest academic transcripts and degree certificate (certified copies). It does not apply to students who are currently studying in Grade 12.
- Proof of applicant’s parents’ marital status. It can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc, as applicable (certified copy).
- University registration document, if applicable.
- Travel and accommodation documents, if applicable.
- A consent form or vulnerable child declaration certificate if applicable. You can download these documents from the official website.
- Proof of income. It is not required for SASSA grant recipients.
- Copies of ID for each household member, including parent and legal guardian (certified copies).
- Applicants with a disability are required to submit a completed and signed disability Annexure A Form.
Make sure all the documents are attached in the required format (scanned and clear copies). Any missing item can result in disqualification from the application process.
Online NSFAS Application Process
Now that you are eligible for the NSFAS bursary, let us proceed with the application process. It is pretty straightforward and simple. Here is a complete step-by-step process of the NSFAS 2024 application.
- First of all, open your browser on the device (mobile or computer).
- Next, go to the NSFAS official website
- Navigate to the myNSFAS tab from the main menu.
- If it is your first time, register for the account and set up a password. Log directly into the portal if you already have one. Here is how to register;
- First, visit the official NSFAS website and go to myNSFAS menu.
- Log into your account and hit the Sign In button after inserting your username and password.
- Next, click Register from the display menu.
- It will open your authentication details. Cross-check these details and again log into the account using your username and password.
- After this, input your full name, surname, ID number, and active email address in the required fields.
- Follow the instruction prompts and fill in all the details, including your registered phone number, previous application details, and academic achievements.
- Once done, create a password and upload the documents.
- You will receive a one-time password. Insert the pin and hit the submit button.
- After this, hit the Apply button to start the application process.
- Once the application form opens, fill it out. Provide all the personal details and academic achievements as required.
- Double-check everything and make sure all the fields are correctly filled out.
- After you are satisfied, upload the supporting documents mentioned above.
- Follow the instruction prompts on the screen and submit your application.
If you do not have an active internet connection, don’t worry; you can still submit your NSFAS application. All you need to do is visit the nearest NYDA National Youth Development Agency or Thusong Center to submit your application for the funding program. Make sure you gather all the documents required for the application with you before meeting an NYDA representative.
They will ask you to fill out the application form. After this, submit copies of the documents with the complete application form. Once done, you will receive a receipt for the status update.
Status and Outcomes
After your application is submitted, NSFAS will review your submitted documents, academic performance, and so on. Eventually, they will shortlist the candidates for funding and inform you whether your application was successful or not. Here is how you can check and track your NSFAS application for 2024.
- First, perform an NSFAS Status Check
- Hit the Track Funding Progress button on the menu, and it will display your NSFAS application outcome on the screen.
Want to know what your status suggests? Here is what each status update means.
NSFAS Appeal 2024-2025
NSFAS appeal is a request to the NSFAS to review their decision of funding. Rejected students can submit an appeal if they feel like there is some administration issue.
Please note that NSFAS appeal decisions are solely determined by budget availability and your overall academic profile. Here is how you can submit an NSFAS appeal.
- Visit your official NSFAS application portal and log into your account.
- Locate the NSFAS Appeal button and provide the listed information.
- Follow the instruction prompt and complete the process by hitting the Submit Your Appeal button.
About NSFAS Bursary and Coverage Value
NSFAS is a government-run company aimed at facilitating South African students who are financially deserving and wish to pursue their vocational training, undergraduate, and graduate degree. The scheme encourages Matric students to apply at UNISA University of South Africa and fund their education. Selected candidates receive financial support throughout the academic journey.
The NSFAS bursary scheme intends to cover all your education-related expenses. Typically, it funds your tuition fees, book allowance, personal care allowance, incidental allowance, living allowance, transportation, and accommodation.
What Does NSFAS Stand For?
NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. It is a South African financial institution that provides funds and financial support to students, mainly those getting their undergraduate degrees.
The scheme helps the students by paying the total cost of their education after they finish high school. Moreover, several bursary programs are also running under NSFAS that work for the benefit of students.
This organization was formed in 1996, and its primary aim is to provide access to quality education, mainly for needy students, and ensure their success in higher education. Let’s look at the CEO of NSFAS, who is currently active.
NSFAS CEO
NSFAS appointed their new CEO, who recently joined his duties in December 2023. The organization appointed Errol Mandlama Khubela, who is a well-known person in the financial services sector of South Africa.
He has excellent financial experience and was previously the chief Director at the national treasury and chaired notable boards. He was the Chief Director of the Financial Sector Development And Reform Program and served in the same position at the SASC Exchange Control Committee.
The acting CEO has a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Finance and a Postgraduate Degree in the Law of Banking and Financial Markets. He also possesses a Master’s degree in Business Leadership, making him not only a very well-educated but also a very compatible and reliable person for this chair.
5 Facts About NSFAS
- NSFAS is a government organization that was established in 1996.
- The students who have potential but are financially unstable can take aid from this organization to continue their tertiary education.
- The organization gets funds from private sector International donors and the government itself.
- It provides aid to cover all the necessary educational costs, including accommodation, meals, study materials, travel, and total tuition fees throughout study time.
- To get aid, you must prove financial neediness.
NSFAS Benefits
The organization is a well-known organization that aims to help financially needy students. It also provides the students with accommodation charges and meal allowances in addition to the book and stationary allowance.
The organization makes access to higher education accessible and convenient. Taking aids from NSFAS is also easy. You only have to submit the application, and after your eligibility is proven, you will get the grants quickly.
NSFAS Contact Details
For further bursary-related queries, you can contact NSFAS directly.
- Telephone: 0860 067 327
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Mailing Address: Private Bag X1, Plumstead 7801, South Africa
- Physical Address: 10 Brodie Road, House Vincent 2nd Floor, Wynberg, Cape Town 7700
Is NSFAS A Bursary Or a Loan?
NSFAS is neither particularly a bursary nor it is a loan. The NSFAS amount is the amount that is given to needy students to continue their education and fulfill their dreams.
Unlike loans, it is not to be repaid, and the recipients are mainly those with low overall household income or who are financially poor. The organization provides a loan scheme also from which students can take the most benefit.
They can get money for their education and repay it later after they get their job. Moreover, several programs in NSFAS ensure to provide needy students with financial assistance in the form of bursaries to help them get higher education at more convenience
How Does NSFAS Work?
NSFAS is a well-known organization that provides financial assistance to needy students for their higher education. The organization provides financial assistance to students in need and those who are brilliant and comparatively sharp-minded.
Moreover, it prefers those who cannot afford their studies but genuinely want to get higher education. To get the funds, you have to apply for grants at their online platform and submit all the necessary documents with the application form as asked.
Now, after submitting your application and receiving the approval status check response, you have to wait for the registration details of you at the institution that the university will provide to students. After NSFAS gets your registration details and if you are eligible, you will be given funds.
Otherwise, your application will be canceled. Moreover, you not only get the tuition fees cost but also get the accommodation and living allowances. NSFAS also provides transportation expenses and meal charges.
What Is Annual Gross Income NSFAS?
Annual gross income is the annual income before deduction and taxes. It is the total income that you receive annually without any deductions taken out. To calculate the annual gross income, you can do is you can multiply the gross pay by the number of paydays in the year.
How to Write Annual Gross Income on NSFAS Application?
The guide tells you about how to write annual gross income on an NSFAS application so that you do not make any mistakes while filling out the form. We will first look at what it is before looking at how to write it on the NSFAS application form.
How to Write Annual Gross Income NSFAS?
To write annual gross income on an NSFAS application form, you first have to calculate the gross income of your household. You have to make sure that the gross annual income of your parents or guardian is no more than R 350,000 per year.
This is because the organization has set limits to check the eligibility of the students, whether they need financial assistance or not. Those students who have an annual gross income of more than R 350,000 per year will not be given the funds.
Moreover, you also have to attach proof of annual household income. You can submit the proof by submitting the pay slip or the appointment letter if your parents or guardians are employed.
Keep in mind this is fixed for every type of job and every type of income and for all the family members in the family. This includes an unemployment insurance fund and a SASSA grant if you receive any. Moreover, even if you are receiving any retirement benefits, life benefits, or disability benefits as a lump sum amount, you also have to submit the receipt of them by attaching the income proof with your application.
Is Affidavit Needed When Applying for NSFAS?
An affidavit is a significant document required by NSFAS to confirm your financial status. This legal document shows that the financial information you have provided is sworn to be accurate and can be used as evidence. Applicants are required to prepare an affidavit that reflects their accounts while preparing for the application.
Wondering how to prepare the affidavit when applying for NSFAS? Here is a step-by-step guide on writing an affidavit for several statements.
Affidavit Required for NSFAS
Here are a few documents you can provide to NSFAS as an affidavit.
- A statement to tell why your parents do not live with you.
- A statement of why you are not supported by your parents.
- An explanation to state that your father/ mother is an informal worker.
How to Prepare an Affidavit for NSFAS?
Here is how you can prepare an affidavit for an NSFAS application.
- First, visit your nearest local police station and ask them for an affidavit form.
- Fill out the form. It usually requires your name, address, and ID document.
- The form also has space to make a declaration. In this space, you are required to make a relevant dedication in capital letters.
- Please note that your name will be in capitals whenever it is used in the affidavit.
If your affidavit is regarding the proof of informal work of your spouse, parent, or guardian, the statement should include the following.
- The type of work they do.
- The location and city where they work.
- And who do they work for (the company or organization)?
Date and sign the affidavit and submit it on the NSFAS student portal.
Do You Have To Apply For NSFAS Every Year?
If you are receiving aid from NSFAS and now you are confused about whether you will need to apply for the funds every year once you get registered for the funds or not here is the explanation to your question. No, you don’t need to apply every year or every semester to continue getting funds.
This is because the organization funds students for the whole duration of their studies or degree. When your application is approved for funding that means you will get funds for your whole academic year until you get your degree.
But for this, you just have to make sure to meet the academic progression requirement. All you need to make sure of is that the student meets the academic requirements and the eligibility criteria throughout your degree to continue getting funds for the education.
In essence, the NSFAS bursary is an excellent opportunity for financially deserving and academically bright students to fund their higher education. It is not limited to certain educational fields; anyone studying at UNISA can apply for the funding. I hope this guide was helpful in preparing your NSFAS application.