Semester 2 applications for bursaries from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) opened recently on 17 July. Now that it's open, it's important to know how much time is left to submit NSFAS applications.
NSFAS provides fully subsidised free higher education and training for poor and working class South Africans through bursaries.
This NSFAS application period is dedicated to those who wish to study at a TVET college for semester 2. NSFAS funds all 50 public colleges in South Africa as they are government institutions.
So when will NSFAS applications close?
NSFAS applications for semester 2 for studies during the 2023 academic year will close on 31 July, giving applicants two weeks to apply.
Before you apply, you should check if you meet the NSFAS requirements. If you do, apply as soon as possible and don't wait until the last minute.
Here Are The NSFAS Requirements
The NSFAS criteria for TVET students is as follows:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any public TVET College in South Africa
- Must be admitted/received a firm offer for enrolment in a College
- Must be in need of financial assistance
- Applicants will qualify if they fall within the maximum threshold of up to R350 000 of combined gross family income per annum
- Returning students must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance (academically deserving) in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher)
- Must not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded
If you meet these requirements, you should apply for NSFAS.
How To Apply For NSFAS
Students are encouraged to apply via TVET College bursary offices, online via the NSFAS website, or NSFAS head office.
The walk-in online application platform and assistive capture application platform are also available to students. When using the walk-in online application platform students make use of the college computer lab to submit their applications, whereas college officials apply on behalf of the student through the assistive capture application platform.
Documents Needed To Apply For NSFAS
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- Copy of South African birth certificate/copy of ID document/Temporary ID of the student
- Copy of South African birth certificate/copy of ID document/Temporary ID of parent(s)/guardian/spouse
- Proof of income (where applicable) – student/parent(s)/guardian or spouse (not older than 3 months.
- SASSA recipients do not need to present proof of income.
- A student recognised as a vulnerable child (e.g. Orphan) must submit a completed Vulnerable Child Declaration Form completed by the Social worker
- Students with disabilities must complete and submit the Disability Annexure A form.
Once you've submitted your NSFAS application and submitted your documents, you probably will want to check your NSFAS status.
How To Check Your NSFAS Status
If you have submitted your funding application, you may be wondering what the outcome is. Fortunately, you can track the status of your NSFAS online application form on the NSFAS website in a few simple steps. Here is how to do a NSFAS status check for your application status.
- Log in to your NSFAS account on the myNSFAS student portal here
- Enter your username and password and sign in
- Click on Track Funding Progress
Once there, there are a number of results you might receive when applying for NSFAS funding. You may encounter terms that you are unfamiliar with, so here is a breakdown.
What Your NSFAS Application Status Means
-
Application Submitted: Your application has been loaded onto the NSFAS system successfully.
-
Filtering: The system checks if you are a returning student and whether you have any previous qualifications.
-
Validation: NSFAS is conducting third-party checks with SASSA and the Department of Home Affairs.
-
Evaluation: NSFAS is verifying all the documents you have submitted during your application.
-
Funding Eligibility: NSFAS is verifying your household financial status that was declared in your application.
-
Awaiting Academic Results/Admission: NSFAS is checking your academic results and your institution's admission status to ensure that you meet the requirements to be funded by NSFAS. Many find themselves staying on this step for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
-
Awaiting Registration: NSFAS is receiving data from your institution to enable them to create a bursary agreement. This is another step students find themselves on for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
-
Signing Of Agreement: At this stage, you need to sign your bursary agreement so that NSFAS can disburse your allowances.
-
Payments: Your allowances are now being paid either through NSFAS mobile wallet system or through your institution. Students are advised to continue to monitor the myNSFAS portal for updates.
What NSFAS Bursaries Cover For TVET College Students
- Registration
- Tuition Fees
- Personal Care Allowance
- Transport Allowance
- Accommodation Allowance
To find out more about NSFAS, NSFAS applications and how to check your NSFAS status, head to our NSFAS section.
