Do not wait until last minute to apply for NSFAS funding

Although the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will close for applications for funding on 31 January for the 2023 academic year, the scheme advises applicants to apply now and not wait until the last minute. 

NSFAS offers financial aid to learners who wish to study or are already studying at a public university or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college and come from a family with an income of R350 000 or less.

According to NSFAS, applicants who are approved for its funding are covered for registration, tuition, allowance for food; accommodation or transport; learning material; and personal care.

To qualify for NSFAS bursary, you need to be a South African citizen who plans to study in 2023 or you are already studying at a public university or TVET college.

Requirements

• You qualify for funding if:
• You are a recipient of the  South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
• grant, or
• You are a person living with disability, with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per year, or
• You are currently studying and are academically eligible.

How to register or apply?

• To apply for funding, you need to register for a @myNSFAS account by following these steps:
• Visit www.nsfas.org.za
• Click on the myNSFAS tab at the top right of your screen.
• Fill in your personal details as they appear on your Identity Document.
• Fill in your valid contact details (NSFAS will use this to communicate important updates regarding your application).
• Accept terms and conditions by ticking on the box provided. This action is compulsory and will allow NSFAS to validate the information provided.
• Create a password to protect your account, confirm password then click on ‘CREATE’.
• A message confirming your account creation will pop on the screen.
• “Remember to always keep your personal details and passwords private to avoid identity theft or scammers accessing your profile,” says NSFAS.
• It adds that applicants should be careful of fake online pages posing as NSFAS, as it could be scammers trying to collect their personal details.
• Applicants must be in possession of the following documents when they apply:
• Copy of ID/Birth Certificate
• Copy of parent/s or guardian/spouse ID
• If you have a Smart card, both sides of card required
• Proof of income (where applicable)
• Persons living with disability should complete the Disability Annexure A form, which is available on NSFAS website
• If you are recognized as a vulnerable child by the Department of Social Development, you must provide a complete Vulnerable Child Declaration form completed by a social worker
• If you indicate that you don’t have certain family member details and or abridged birth certificate, you must complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA
• “The system will generate a list of required documents for upload based on your application,” says NSFAS.