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Financial Aid

Who is NSFAS? : The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a public entity reporting to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It provides financial assistance in the form of study bursaries to qualifying students who plan to study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

NSFAS supports access to, and success in, higher education and training by providing bursaries to qualifying students from poor and working-class families who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost of studying at a TVET college.

 

The different types of NSFAS funded students

  • First-Time Entering Student (FTEN) who is a SASSA beneficiary.
  • Returning Student, who is SASSA beneficiary.
  • First-Time Entering Student who is NOT a SASSA beneficiary
  • Returning Student, who is NOT a SASSA beneficiary.
  • Student living with disability.

It is important for students to know which type of NSFAS applicant they are, as the application steps and documents required by NSFAS very accordingly.

Students who are approved for NSFAS funding are covered for the following:

  • Registration fees
  • Tuition fees
  • Living (covers food and incidental expenses)
  • Personal care
  • Accommodation or transport

Extra support is provided to students living with disability, such as:

Assistive devices: Limited to one assistive device for the duration of the qualification.

Human support: To cover for the cost of human support such as a caregiver, guide-dog, scribe, tutor, or sign language interpreter.


Specific conditions for students living with disabilities:

Students living with disabilities are eligible for the Disability funding programme if their primary Disability is regarded as an impairment which is long-term (at least 12 months), a recurring physical, mental (psychological), intellectual or sensory impairment and substantially limiting in that the impairment impacts their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (as a result of a lack of support being provided) and all other eligibility criteria are met.

If you have a disability, you must complete Annexures A and attach proof of disability and quotation for assistive devices with the Application form.

NSFAS Disability Annexure A

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

  • Log onto www.nsfas.org.za and click on the myNSFAS tab.
  • Click on register. Tick on the acceptance option to allow NSFAS to verify and validate the information you provided.
  • Type in your ID number as it appears on your ID document.
  • Type in your name and surname as they appear on your ID Document.
  • Type in your email address and cellphone number. Your username will be your email address.
  • Create a password and confirm your password.
  • Click on register.
  • After clicking register, a One Time Pin (OTP) will be sent to the email address and cellphone number you provided.
  • Check your cellphone and email for the OTP.
  • Type in the OTP in the tab provided and click submit.
  • You will then receive another SMS and email confirming that your myNSFAS account has been created.
  • You may now continue with your application.
  • Go to www.nsfas.org.za and click on myNSFAS account
  • Enter your username and password
  • Click on the My personal details tab
  • Enter your current cell phone number and email address
  • Click Update your details
  • A One Time Pin (OTP) will be sent to the new cell phone number and email address that you have provided
  • Enter the OTP and click submit
  • Your details will immediately be updated
  • The NSFAS portal system validates all information as received from the Department of Home Affairs. Ensure that you type in your ID number, name/s and surname exactly as they appear on your ID document or birth certificate.
  • The verification of your ID number, name and surname is done immediately when creating your myNSFAS NSFAS uses the verified details from DHA.

NSFAS has removed the requirement for documents to be certified.

Once you are approved for NSFAS funding, the funding covers you until you complete your qualification; provided you continue to meet the academic progression criteria. You just need to focus on studying and passing your modules to secure your continued funding.

Students who have already obtained a prior university qualification do not qualify and should not apply for funding. Students who have completed TVET N6 qualifications cannot be funded at a TVET college again but can be funded at university.

A student can only be funded for one qualification at one institution at any one time.

Yes, if you applied for NSFAS in 2022 or at the beginning of 2023 and your application was not approved but you still need funding for 2023 Trimester 2/3 and Semester 2, you may apply again if you meet the funding criteria.

Yes, to receive NSFAS funding you will be required to apply again for the academic cycle that you wish to study in.

  • Your parents/guardian income will be verified by 3rd party agencies. E.g.: Banks and other government entities
  • Should the system ask for proof of income, your parents/guardian bank statement will be required.
  • Students living with disabilities are encouraged to apply for financial assistance. NSFAS provides special disability funding to all approved students living with disabilities at any of the 26 public universities or 50 TVET colleges.
  • The applicant’s household income must not exceed R600 000 per year.

NSFAS approved students are not expected to pay any upfront registration fees.

The TVET Financial Aid officials have access to NSFAS system where they can verify your funding status and NSFAS also shares a list of funded students to the College.

If an applicant is not satisfied with the results of their applications, they can appeal this decision by completing the appeal process either available through their myNSFAS account for first-time-entering (FTEN) students or at the institutions financial aid office for continuing students.

  • Visit nsfas.org.za for more information.
  • Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
  • Instagram: @myNSFAS
  • Twitter: @myNSFAS
Alternatively, you can check your application status via:
  • WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006
  • or USSD code: *120*67327#

To be verified with:

  • Finance department (Missing Middle funds and Afripipes funds)
  • Business Unit department (SETA funding application status – CATHSSETA and W&RSETA)
  • Student Support Services (any possible fundings available)

NSFAS Funded Courses

  • Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP)
  • NATED/Report 191
  • National Certificate Vocation (NC(v))
  • Distance Learning Programmes – Registration, Tuition, and personal care allowance
     

Self-funded Courses

  • Occupational Programmes

These programmes are listed in ANNEXURE A: Occupational Qualifications approved for NSFAS Funding. (ETVET has not registered any of its occupational programmes with NSFAS and thus are not funded)

  • Re-Writes
  • Repeat Subjects – (Students that meet the N+ criteria can be funded)

You qualify for a NSFAS bursary if you are a South African citizen / permanent resident who plans to study at a TVET college, and you fall within one or more of the below categories:

  • Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per year.
  • Persons with disabilities combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per year.
  • Any student who is a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) recipient, automatically meets the financial eligibility criteria and will be eligible for financial aid if they are academically eligible and registered at Elangeni TVET College.
  • Applicants must have an email address and cell phone number.
  • Students who 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 are receiving funding.

These students are automatically funded for the duration of their studies provided they pass their modules and meet the academic requirements.

  • Copy of student ID / Birth certificate
  • Copy of parent/s or guardian/ spouse ID
  • Smart card: both sides of card required.
  • Proof of income (where applicable)
  • Persons living with disability (Disability Annexure A form)
  • An applicant who is recognised as a vulnerable child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and Vulnerable Child Declaration form completed by a social worker or the principal of the last high school their attended.
  • An applicant who has indicated that s/he has no family member details and or abridged birth certificate must complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA form.
  •  

Process / steps detailing how to apply at NSFAS.

Students can enjoy the convenience of anytime, anywhere online application from their phone, tablet, or computer. Registration and application are free and easy.

Your ID number is your username. Please remember keep all your personal information in a safe place.

Follow These Simple Steps To Apply:​

Step 1: Go to www.nsfas.org.za and click on the ‘myNSFAS’ tab.

Step 2: Create a myNSFAS account

Step 3: Click on the ‘APPLY’ tab and complete the sections on the screen

Step 4: Upload required supporting documents (where applicable)

Step 5: Click on ‘Submit’

Application Cycles

Cycle 1 (NCV-Annual; Trimester 1 & Semester 1)

Online application at the beginning of each year.

Cycle 2 (Trimester 2 and Semester 2)

Online application and walk in assistive capture application as per DHET calendar.

Cycle 3 (Trimester 3)

Online application and walk in assistive capture application as per DHET calendar.

What is an appeal?

An appeal is a request to review a decision not to fund a student who applied for NSFAS funding.

Who can appeal?

A student whose application for financial aid is rejected, or the financial aid for a continuing student is withdrawn, may lodge an appeal with the NSFAS.

The appeal decisions are subject to budget availability.

Appeals will only be considered for students who has applied to NSFAS for Financial Aid.

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