NSFAS refers to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, a South African government initiative that provides financial assistance to eligible students to help them pay for their tertiary education. NSFAS provides loans and bursaries to eligible students who come from poor and working-class families and cannot afford to pay for their studies themselves. The aim of NSFAS is to help more students access higher education, and in doing so, contribute to the development of a skilled and educated workforce in South Africa.
To ensure that prospective student who require financial aid apply well in advance, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) officially opened NSFAS applications for the 2023 academic year.
Throughout his official announcement on Tuesday, Higher Education Minister Blade Ndzimande also mentioned a few key changes to make applications more convenient.
He further stated that all current NSFAS funding recipients are required to create an account on the new platform by following the steps listed below:
How To Create A myNSFAS Account
- Type in first names (as per SA ID number)
- Type in Surname (as per ID number)
- Type in your ID number (will your username)
- Type in your Email address
- Type in your Cell Phone number
- Accept terms and conditions Tick the box provided, to allow NSFAS to check the information provided (compulsory)
- Create a Password, to protect your account
After creating an account or profile and filling out the necessary information, students can click on apply, which displays on the screen. The student must then enter their father's details if it applies to them and click next
NSFAS will then use the Department of Home Affairs database to verify the ID number, names, and surnames of participating applicants. Only valid South African ID data will be accepted. Applicants should also ensure that they meet all of the bursary scheme’s specified requirements.
The bursary scheme also clarified that upon an application being approved, students will not have to worry about accommodation or transport, amongst other things.
This is because NSFAS funding approval covers: Registration, Tuition, Allowance for, Food, Accommodation or transport, learning material as well as personal care.
