How to apply for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)?

NSFAS aids South African students, offering financial support and fostering academic excellence. Learn about its application process and key initiatives

Por: WiredCabin Team em April 25, 2024

Understanding NSFAS

Before venturing into the application process, it’s crucial to grasp what NSFAS is and the opportunities it offers. NSFAS is a government-funded initiative designed to provide financial aid to underprivileged South African students. This aid covers accommodation, meals, and study materials, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder academic pursuits.

Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

What it Does:

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for NSFAS funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a South African citizen.
Intend to enroll or are enrolled at a public South African university or TVET college.
Come from a household with a combined annual income of less than R350,000.
SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for funding.
Should not have previously received NSFAS funding unless enrolling for a new qualification.
Person with disability: the household income must not be more than R600 000

Preparing to Apply

Before starting the application process, ensure you have the following documents ready:

A copy of your South African identity document.
Consent form signed by your parents or guardians.
Proof of income (if applicable) from your parents or guardians.
Completed and signed disability Annexure (if applicable).

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Create a myNSFAS Account

Visit the official NSFAS website and click on the “myNSFAS” tab.
Register by providing your personal details, including an email address and mobile number.
Create an username and password for future logins.

2. Fill in the Application Form

Once registered, log in to your myNSFAS account.
Click on the “Apply” tab and fill in the online application form with the required information.
Ensure all details are accurate and up-to-date to avoid delays in your application.

3. Upload Supporting Documents

After completing the application form, you will be prompted to upload the necessary supporting documents.
Ensure that all documents are clear and legible.

4. Submit Your Application

Review your application and documents to ensure everything is correct.
Submit your application. You will receive a reference number, which you should keep for future reference.

After Applying

Once your application is submitted, you can track its progress through your myNSFAS account. NSFAS will also communicate with you via SMS or email, so ensure your contact details are accurate.

Key Tips for a Successful Application

Apply Early: Avoid the last-minute rush by applying as soon as the application window opens.
Ensure Accuracy: Double-check all the information and documents before submission.
Keep Copies: Keep copies of all documents and correspondence related to your application.
Follow Up: Regularly check your application status and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

Important Initiatives from NSFAS

NSFAS provides financial support primarily through its overarching financial aid scheme designed to facilitate access to higher education for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. While the main focus is on ensuring that eligible students can afford related expenses for higher education, NSFAS has integrated various bursaries under its administration to cater to specific groups of students or fields of study. Some of the key bursary programs under or associated with NSFAS include:

Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme

This is aimed at promoting teaching in public schools. Grants are available for students pursuing studies in education, covering accommodation, meals, and study materials. Recipients of this bursary are required to teach in a public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary.

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a specific initiative designed to address teacher shortages in South African public schools. Here’s a closer look at how it functions:

Goal: Encourage individuals to pursue teaching careers in public schools.
Benefits: Provides full-cost bursaries to cover expenses like:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Books and learning materials
- An allowance for general living expenses (capped amount)
Duration: Supports students throughout their teaching qualification, typically a four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree. However, renewal is contingent on academic performance.
Eligibility:
- South African citizens
- Under 30 years old (for first-time applicants)
- No prior teaching qualification
- Accepted into an approved BEd or PGCE program
Service Obligation: After completing their studies, bursary recipients are required to teach for a set period at a public school they’re assigned to. The placement prioritizes areas with teacher shortages.

The Funza Lushaka program is administered by the Department of Education (DoE) and applications are submitted through the e-Government portal each year.

To find out more, you can explore these websites:

The Department of Education (DoE) managed Funza Lushaka program. Their website offers information about the bursary and the application process.
You can also search for “Funza Lushaka Bursary” on the South African government’s e-Services portal as this is where applications are submitted.

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) Bursaries

While not directly administered by NSFAS, many SETAs offer bursaries for studies related to specific sectors of the economy. These bursaries can be applied to through the respective SETAs and may cover accommodation, and books. NSFAS applicants in fields covered by SETAs may also receive supplementary funding.

Below, are some important details about the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) Bursaries in South Africa:

Purpose:

Address skills shortages within specific industries by funding students who pursue qualifications relevant to those industries.
Align with the government’s goal of increasing graduates in critical and scarce skill areas.

Who Offers Them:

Each SETA, responsible for a particular economic sector (e.g., MERSETA for Manufacturing, SSETA for Services), offers bursaries based on their sector’s needs. You can find a list of all 21 SETAs on the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) website.

Eligibility:

Open to South Africa citizens
Total household annual income of less than R600 000
Typically have a minimum academic performance requirement (e.g., 50% average).
Must be enrolled full-time at a public of private tertiary institute (Universirty/ University of Technology/ TVET College) in South Africa
Intend on studying towards a NQF level 5 qualification or above in South Africa

Benefits:

Can cover accommodation and living expenses.
The specific coverage may vary depending on the SETA and the individual bursary program.

Where to Apply:

Application processes differ.
- Some SETAs manage applications directly through their websites.
- Others might partner with organizations like Universities South Africa (USAF) for bursary administration.

Important Considerations:

SETA bursaries often come with a service obligation. This means recipients might be required to work in a specific industry or location for a set period after graduation.
Bursary funding is not guaranteed and depends on available budgets and the number of qualified applicants.

To find out more, you can explore these websites:

DHET website (for a list of SETAs)
SETA Bursaries administered by Career Wise

In conclusion, the NSFAS program, with its comprehensive financial aid and targeted initiatives like Funza Lushaka, stands as a cornerstone of South Africa’s efforts to democratize higher education. By dismantling financial barriers and fostering access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, NSFAS empowers individuals to pursue their academic dreams and contribute to a more skilled and equitable society.