NSFAS DHET Bursary 2024 Application
DHET bursary is another name for the NSFAS DHET bursary (National Student Financial Aid Scheme – Department of Higher Education and Training). It is a South African government initiative that focuses on funding students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing their higher education at public universities and TVET colleges.
Here is everything you want to know about NSFAS DHET bursary and its application process. So, dive right in for more.
Expenses Covered by NSFAS Bursary
NSFAS DHET bursary funding covers the following expenses for students; tuition fees, accommodation, study material, personal care, transport, and meal allowance. Please note that the value for each category may differ, depending on the living expenses of the area and the individual profile.
For university students, the expenses covered are as follows.
- Accommodation is charged by the university or an equivalent amount for private residential dorms.
- Living allowance of up to R15,000 per year.
- Transport costs of up to 7500 per year. It applies to a maximum distance of up to 40 km from the institution. NSFAS may decide to change or terminate the grant for transport depending on the availability of the budget.
- Study material allowance of up to R5200 per year.
- Personal care allowance of up to R2900 per year. It applies to individuals in catered residences.
The expenses covered by NSFAS for TVET college students are as follows.
- Accommodation costs of up to R24000 per year if the applicant is in an urban area. If the applicant is in pre-urban or rural areas, the allowance will be around R18,900 and R15,750 per year, respectively.
- Transport costs of up to R7,350 per year.
- Personal care allowance of up to R2,900 per year.
- Please note that NSFAS beneficiaries with disabilities may receive assistive devices (like wheelchairs, adaptive laptops, and hearing aids) and human support (tutors, sign language interpreters, scribes, etc).
NSFAS Bursary Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the NSFAS DHET bursary, one must fulfill the following requirements.
- The applicant must be a South African citizen and permanent resident.
- The applicant must be studying in or intend to study toward an undergraduate qualification in 2024.
- The applicant must be studying in or intend to study at a public tertiary institution within South Africa. It can be a university or TVET college.
- The applicant must not have completed previous qualifications.
- The applicant must have at least one of the following categories checked, a SASSA grant recipient, have a total combined household income of less than R350,000 per annum, have a disability with a combined household income of less than R600,000 per annum, or started studying before 2018 and have a total combined household income of less than R122,000 per annum.
Institutions that Accept NSFAS
Are you wondering whether your chosen institute is on the list of NSFAS-DHET-eligible institutions? Here is a breakdown of the universities and colleges covered by the bursary.
Universities
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Monash University, Stellenbosch University, North-West University, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of Limpopo, University of South Africa, University of the Western Cape, Durban University of Technology, University of Zululand, Walter Sisulu University, Central University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Rhodes University, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Fort Hare, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Pretoria, University of the Free State, University of the Witwatersrand, and Vaal University of Technology.
TVET Colleges
Boland College, Capricorn College, Coastal KZN College, Eastcape Midlands College, Ekurhuleni East College, Esayidi College, False Bay College, Ikhala College, King Hintsa College, Letaba College, Lovedale College, Mnambithi College, Northern Cape Rural College, and Buffalo City College.
Central Johannesburg College, College of Cape Town, Ehlanzeni College, Elangeni College, Ethekwini College, Gert Sibande College, Ingwe College, King Sabata Dalindyebo College, Lephalale College, Majuba College, Nkangala College, and Northern Cape Urban College.
Northlink College, Port Elizabeth College, South Cape College, Tshwane North College, Umfolozi College, Vhembe College, Waterberg College, Orbit College, Sekhukhune College, South West Gauteng College, Tshwane South College, Umgungundlovu College, Vuselela College, and West Coast College.
Documents Required for NSFAS Application
NSFAS also requires individuals to submit the following documents with the NSFAS application form. Here is a list of them.
- A South African ID document. It can be a copy of your green ID document, a temporary ID from the Department of Home Affairs, a copy of both sides of your smart ID card, or an unabridged birth certificate.
- ID documents of the non-SASSA grant applicants (certified copies). These applicants include your parents, guardians, and spouse.
- Proof of income of your parent, guardian, and spouse. It can be your latest three-month previous payslips if you are employed, a letter to prove your UIF membership, an employment letter, and a retrenchment letter if you are a non-SASSA applicant.
- Students on disability quota are required to submit a filled-out and signed Disability Annexure A Form. They should also provide proof of disability and a quotation for assistive devices. You can download the form from the official NSFAS website.
- Students recognized as Vulnerable Children by the Department of Social Development are required to submit a filled-out and stamped Vulnerable Child Declaration Form. The form can be downloaded from the official NSFAS website.
How to Apply for NSFAS DHET Bursary?
The NSFAS DHET bursary application method is pretty straightforward, as all you need to do is complete the application form and upload the supporting document. Here are a few steps to follow for the submission of NSFAS bursary funding.
- First, visit the official myNSFAS application portal (my.nsfas.org.za/) and register for an account.
- Navigate to the Create an Account section and insert the required information in the specific fields. Usually, you will provide your full name, surname, ID number, email address, and contact number.
- Once done, set up a password. Confirm your password one more time and ask for verification.
- You will receive a one-time PIN code on your phone. Enter this code on the portal and verify the account.
- Now, your account is active and you can submit the application.
- Log into your account using your ID number and password.
- Select NSFAS funding and it will open an application form on your screen. Fill out the details. They usually require financial, academic, and personal information.
- Provide accurate and factually correct information, as any fraud or misrepresented data will result in your disqualification from the application. Double-check the form to avoid mistakes and typing errors.
- Proceed further and submit the supporting documents. Once done, hit the Submit button, and your application is complete.
- Please note that individuals who have already applied, qualified, and received funding do not have to reapply for the funding each year. Unlike SASSA, NSFAS automatically considers your application for funding and transfer payments for the duration of your studies, as directed in the funding contract. Not meeting academic requirements can result in suspension of your NSFAS funding.
NSFAS Contact Details
For further DHET bursary queries, you may contact NSFAS directly.
- Telephone: 0860 067 327
- Email Address: [email protected]
In essence, applying for an NSFAS DHET bursary is straightforward when you have prepared for it beforehand. Start gathering documents two weeks before the submission, so the process goes smoothly for you. I hope this guide has been helpful for students preparing to apply for NSFAS funding.