Does NSFAS Fund Advanced Diploma? | Eligibility Criteria

Advanced diploma aspirants frequently ask whether they can enroll in the NSFAS program or if they need to apply for another financial aid scheme. Because NSFAS is one of the most prominent government bodies helping students in the country, students from multiple disciplines long to get financial assistance from NSFAS. Come with me to explore the NSFAS funding policy and the areas that it covers.

Does NSFAS Cover Diploma Courses?

When it comes to the financial assistance program for a student, the only name that comes to mind is NSFAS. The program is designed for students who cannot pay their university or college fees due to financial deprivation. The purpose of this program is to educate all the disadvantaged students who have sparks to make progress but cannot go forward because of their financial status.

In this context, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme designed eligibility criteria in which only undergraduates, including diplomas, certificates, and degree aspirants, fall. However, the advanced diploma aspirants cannot apply for the NSFAS program due to the restrictions. Here, you may question why the advanced diploma aspirants cannot apply for the NSFAS program.

Basically, the program was designed only for the undergraduate program. An advanced diploma is a degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s, but its duration is long, and aspirants learn advanced skills. However, advanced diplomas such as technician in Engineering, Clinical/Dental Technology, Architectural Technology, homeopathy, Nursing, forestry, and emergency medical care are supported by NSFAS.

What Should I Do?

The majority of advanced diploma aspirants seem disappointed due to the NSFAS guidelines, but they are unfamiliar with the fact that they can apply for other financial aid programs. They can take advantage of the opportunity to get a bursary program or apply for scholarships. Additionally, they can also get a student loan if they are able to repay it.

The bursaries and scholarships have eligibility criteria, and if you fall under the category of deserving people, you can effortlessly get funding from authorities. Some bursaries for postgraduate programs are also for advanced diploma aspirants. Anyhow, NSFAS does not support advanced diploma aspirants, and you need to apply for a bursary or scholarship to get funding.

People have misconceptions that NSFAS supports all kinds of students, from undergraduate to postgraduate and advanced diploma aspirants, but as a matter of fact, it is designed only for undergraduate aspirants. There are other financial aid programs for advanced diploma aspirants, such as bursaries and scholarships.

Additionally, advanced diploma aspirants can get student loans at very low interest rates. There are multiple banks and private organizations available to give students loans.

Anyhow, NSFAS does not provide assistance to advanced diploma aspirants, and it is designed for undergraduate students. I hope this information will help you in the future.