The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is important to many South African students as it provides them with financial assistance for their tertiary education.
If you’re considering applying for funding, then understanding the NSFAS requirements and application process is very necessary.
What are the NSFAS Requirements?
If you wish to be considered eligible for NSFAS funding, you must meet the following NSFAS requirements:
- You must be a South African citizen or a permanent resident.
- Your combined gross household income must fall within the NSFAS income threshold. The threshold is R350,000 per annum for most applicants, but it increases to R600,000 per annum for applicants with disabilities.
- If you or your household members are SASSA grant recipients, you automatically qualify for NSFAS funding based on financial need (proof of income not required).
- While there’s no minimum academic requirement for first-time applicants, NSFAS prioritizes students who meet the institutional admission requirements for their chosen field of study.
- If you have a disability, you’ll need to submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form along with your application.
- You must ensure you have a valid email address and cellphone number for application purposes and future communication with NSFAS.
- If you’ve previously received NSFAS funding and are applying for continued funding, you must meet the academic progress requirements set by NSFAS.
How many months does NSFAS pay?
NSFAS funding normally covers a full academic year, which translates to approximately ten months of financial support.
This includes funding for registration fees, tuition fees, living expenses, and a book allowance.
The specific payment schedule may vary depending on the institution you attend.
How much does NSFAS pay per student?
The amount NSFAS allocates per student varies depending on several factors, including:
- Your chosen field of study: Certain qualifications, like medicine or engineering, may attract higher funding due to their associated costs.
- Your institution: The cost of living and specific institutional fees can influence the funding amount.
- Your living arrangements: NSFAS provides a higher allowance for students living in private accommodation compared to on-campus housing.
How do I get NSFAS approved?
The NSFAS application process usually opens around September each year. This is a general outline of the steps involved:
- Visit the NSFAS website (https://www.nsfas.org.za/) and complete the online application form.
- Prepare all your supporting documents. These documents include certified copies of your ID, parents’/guardian’s IDs, proof of income for all household members (unless a SASSA recipient), and any other documents specified by NSFAS.
- Make sure all the required documents are attached before submitting your application electronically.
- NSFAS will communicate the application status via email or SMS but you can also track your application progress online using the NSFAS tracking tool.
Which month does NSFAS start paying?
The exact month NSFAS payments commence can vary slightly each year.
But payments generally start around late January or February, coinciding with the beginning of the academic year at most institutions.
How much is the NSFAS payment for 2024?
The specific funding amounts for 2024 haven’t been officially announced by NSFAS yet.
However, you can expect them to be similar to the 2023 funding structure, with adjustments for inflation.
To get a clearer idea, you can refer to the NSFAS funding guidelines for 2023 on their website.