The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government student bursary scheme that funds underprivileged South African students who are looking to study at a public university or TVET College.
So do they pay for National Certificate Vocational NC(V) courses?
Well National Certificate Vocational NC(V) courses are offered by TVET Colleges in South Africa and thus NSFAS will pay for it.
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is post high school education and training. TVET Colleges focus on vocational training programmes, education and training with the aim of preparing students to become skilled workers in the workforce.
NC(V) qualifications were created to provide workplace-based skill sets in various career fields that are in demand in South Africa.
Students are also able to move into a higher education program with an NC(V) qualification that is within the same learning area.
The requirements to study an NC(V) course differs according to the field that you're studying towards but the basic minimum requirement is a Grade 9 pass, ABET Certificate or NQF 1 Certificate.
This means that students are able to develop their skills and build a successful career without having to finish Matric.
There is also an NC(V) course students can study to get their matric qualification.
NSFAS provides funding for registration, tuition and allowances for these courses at TVET Colleges. These allowances cover transport, living expenses and learning materials.
The NSFAS requirements are as follows:
- You're a South African citizen
- If you're a SASSA grant recipient, you qualify for funding
- You have a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per year
- Person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per year
Students are funded for the duration of their studies granted that they pass their modules and meet the academic requirements.
NSFAS will fund students for the entire duration of their course or degree. Most degrees take about 3 to 4 years, whereas medical degrees for example take up to 7 years. However, they will fund an extra year of study should a student fail one year.
