NSFAS Stages Meaning- Processing Steps Explained

Once you submit your NSFAS application, it enters the processing period, meaning that it goes through a number of stages before the funds are approved. Because of the lengthy process, most applicants get confused.

If you are currently experiencing the issue, here are all the eight NSFAS processing steps explained, so dive right in.

1. Filtering

Once the application is submitted, the next step is filtering, which usually involves NSFAS assessing whether you are a first-time applicant or a returning student. For this, NSFAS analyzes its records to verify your academic and personal history. Based on your application, you will be allocated to different handling teams.

First-Time Applicants

If you are a first-time applicant, NSFAS will conduct a fresh assessment of your financial and academic eligibility. They will thoroughly check your documents, and make sure they are accurate and complete.

Returning Students

For returning students, NSFAS will review your past funding history, including necessary academic progress checks and any new funding you are receiving. Hence, it is important for returning students to update their information to ensure accurate processing.

Turnaround Time

Typically, it takes a few days to a week for NSFAS to filter their application, but it can vary depending on the volume of applications received. This stage is much quicker than others.

2. Validation

The next stage of your NSFAS application is the Validation stage, which usually involves NSFAS verifying your data with third-party entity databases to make sure the information provided by the candidate is authentic. These entities include the SASSA South African Social Security Agency and the Department of Home Affairs.

Here is what applicants go through during this stage.

  • Document Accuracy to make sure the information they have provided aligns with government records.
  • Regular Status Checks to clarify any queries, so applicants must already respond to possible questions from NSFAS.

Department of Home Affairs

The Home Affairs Department verification helps NSFAS confirm your identity and socio-economic status. It includes verifying your ID number, household income, any social grant, etc. It also helps them check whether your data is consistent in multiple databases.

SASSA South African Social Security Agency

NSFAS views SASSA as an integral part of the household financial resource, which means the information you provide to SASSA is significant to assess the level of your financial needs. Please note that receiving SASSA does not disqualify you from NSFAS funding. However, the reverse of this is not true, and receiving NSFAS funding may disqualify you from the SASSA grant.

Time Required

The Validation stage can take several weeks, as the authorities have to coordinate with third-party entities. So you may be prepared to wait for even longer than this.

3. Evaluation

Evaluation outcome is the next step in your NSFAS processing, in which the authorities review and verify your supporting documents. This stage is essential to determine your eligibility for the grant money. The purpose of the evaluation stage is as follows.

  • Document Review: NSFAS scrutinizes your documents for authenticity, relevance, and compliance with the application requirements.
  • Information Verification: Check your documents to verify the accuracy of your academic records, financial details, etc.

Types of Documents Evaluated

Here are a few documents that are given priority when evaluating your information.

  • Personal Identification Documents include your ID documents, birth certificates, and passports.
  • Academic Records: These include education achievements, matric results, tertiary academic records, etc.
  • Financial Documents: These documents include proof of your household income, payslips, employment letters, and affidavits, so NSFAS can verify your financial needs.
  • Additional Documents like your disability assessments, death certificates, medical certificates, etc.

Time Required

The Evaluation stage usually requires a few weeks to a couple of months, but it can vary depending on the workload and complexity of the application. Processing time can also take a longer time because of the increased volume of applications during peak periods.

4. Funding Eligibility

Financial eligibility is the next stage of NSFAS processing. It involves determining whether a student’s financial background is compatible with the requirements set by NSFAS to distribute the funding.

If your household income exceeds the amount set by NSFAS, it may result in you being disqualified from the funding. In this case, you may turn to other financial aid options like bursaries and scholarships from government and private institutions.

Financial Threshold

The financial threshold for the NSFAS application is as follows.

  • Income Cap: The combined household income must not exceed R35,000 per year for a student to qualify for the NSFAS funding.
  • Special Consideration: It is designed for students with disabilities. For these students, the household income must not exceed R600,000 per annum.

Verification

  • Income Assessment: NSFAS reviews your household income. It involves checking your and your guardian’s income information.
  • Documents Required: You may be asked to provide financial documents like payslips, unofficial financial documents, employment letters, etc to verify your household income. It also includes additional financial documents of your parent or guardian.
  • Third-Party Checks: NSFAS also checks your information against third-party databases. It may also include cross-referencing with SARS (South African Revenue Services).

Other Considerations

  • Family Contributions: The assessment is not restricted to the primary breadwinner and hence, NSFAS may also assess your total family income. It means you will have to provide information about all working members of the family.
  • Annual Updates: The databases are updated on an annual basis. It means that you must report any change in your family’s financial condition; or else, it can result in delays in your application processing.

5. Awaiting Academic Results and Admission

The Awaiting Academic Results and Admission stage in your NSFAS application is a pivotal phase in which the authorities await confirmation of your admission status. In this step, NSFAS checks your academic journey in compliance with its requirements. The stage is divided into two parts.

  • Academic Performance: NSFAS reviews your academic records to make sure you meet the performance criteria set by the committee.
  • Admission Confirmation: This means NSFAS is awaiting confirmation from your chosen educational institution regarding the acceptance or enrollment.

Process

This process goes through three different steps.

Communication Between NSFAS and Institution

  • NSFAS collaborates with your chosen institution to verify your admission status.
  • Enrollment confirmation is a key factor for your funding to get approved.

Applicant’s Role in Communication

  • They must communicate their admission from the chosen institution to NSFAS. It can be done through the NSFAS portal or through their helpline.
  • They must update the information of their institution on the NSFAS portal.

University Role

  • Once the university confirms your application stats and communicates it to NSFAS, it is a green light to proceed with the final step of your grant proposal.

Time Required

The time of this step depends on the response time of your educational institution. It can take days to weeks. In case there is a significant delay by the educational institution or NSFAS, you will be informed by the relevant authorities.

Final Steps Following Confirmation

  • Once they receive confirmation from the school, NSFAS will move toward taking the final decision.
  • You will be notified of the decision on your NSFAS portal, email, or SMS.

6. Awaiting Registration

The next stage in your NSFAS processing is Awaiting Registration. In this step, NSFAS is waiting for the educational institution to send your registration deals.

Each institution has its timeline for submitting these details. Depending on that, The institution is responsible for sending the data to the NSFAS-funded student.

Time Required

The time required for this stage depends on the institution. Typically, it takes anywhere between a few days to several weeks for an institution to send your institution details. However, it varies depending on the timeline of your educational institution.

7. Signing of Agreement

After this, when your NSFAS application status switches to a Signing Agreement, it means you are in the final stage of your application. In this stage, you have to acknowledge the legal dimensions associated with the NSFAS bursary.

Process

Following is the process of signing of agreement.

Receiving the Contract

  • Receive the Bursary Agreement Form from the online portal or email.

Understanding the Terms

  • Carefully review the terms and conditions of the agreement.

Signing the Contract

  • Sign the contract electronically through the NSFAS portal.

Time Required

As soon as you receive the contract, you must sign and return the application. Hence, the time for this step depends on the applicant.

Post-Signing Steps

  • After you have signed the application, you will receive confirmation from NSFAS.
  • You must keep track of the disbursement of your allowances.

8. Payment

Finally, once your NSFAS application status is updated to Payment, it means your funds have been allocated by the organization. You can receive your funds through the NSFAS wallet, direct payments from the institution, or NSFAS-partnered merchants.

In essence, the NSFAS processing goes through several NSFAS stages, from verification to evaluation, and distribution of funds. The best practice is that you stay updated about each step using your NSFAS application portal, email, or SMS.