The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a bursary scheme which provides poor and working class South African students with free higher education and training.
Who qualifies for funding?
- You must be studying at any of the 26 public universities and 50 TVET colleges
- You must be a registered student doing full time study (not part-time)
- You must meet the academic requirements for entry - To study a degree at university you must pass matric with a degree pass. In addition, you must meet the minimum admission requirements (APS score) for course you intend applying for. If you are applying for funding to study at a TVET College you must have passed grade 9.
- You must be a South African citizen
- Your total household income is R350 000 or less per annum
- You must be registering for your first time at a public university for an undergraduate qualification or at a public TVET College
- SASSA grant recipients receiving or have previously received any of the social grants including the Care Dependency Grant, Child Support Grant, Foster Child Grant and the Disability Grant automatically qualify for NSFAS funding.
Who does NOT qualify for NSFAS funding?
- NSFAS is not for students attending private colleges
- Foreign student (non-South African citizens)
- Students with a total household income is over R350 000 per annum
- Students who have completed a previous tertiary qualification
- Students who have already applied and received funding.
Value of the funding:
The funding will cover for the following study related expenses:
- Registration fee
- Tuition fee
- Subsidised book allowances
- Prescribed learning materials (up to a certain amount, as set by NSFAS)
- Subsidised accommodation (up to a certain amount, as set by NSFAS)
- Subsidised meal allowances.
What supporting documentation is required?
- ID document/ ID card (certified copy and electronic copy)
- Unabridged birth certificate (if you do not have an ID document or ID card) (certified copy and electronic copy)
- Parents/ guardians ID documents (certified copy and electronic copy)
- Parents/ guardians death certificate (if applicable) (certified copy and electronic copy)
- Payslips/ employment letters/ pension advice (not older than 3 months) (do not submit SASSA slips. SASSA should be excluded from household income) (certified copy and electronic copy)
- Contact details (cellphone number/ email address where NSFAS can communicate with you throughout the application process, as well as to provide feedback on the outcome of your application)
- NSFAS Consent Form (.pdf) – completed and signed by parents/ guardians
- If disabled, complete and include the NSFAS Disability Annexure A (.pdf)
- If orphaned, complete and include the NSFAS Declaration Form (.pdf) – to be signed by an Isibindi Child Youth Care Worker/ a social worker from the Department of Social Development and submitted to an Isibindi Centre/ NYDA office
Where to apply?
- Apply on the NSFAS website, http://www.nsfas.org.za and create a myNSFAS account, https://my.nsfas.org.za/mynsfas/selfservice.html Applications are not made at NSFAS offices!
- Alternatively, financial aid application forms are available from the Financial Aid Office or Department at the University or College you have been accepted into.
What about funding for postgraduate studies?
- NSFAS provides financial support for the following postgraduate programmes:
- B Tech: Architectural Technology
- B Tech: Architecture (Professional)
- B Tech: Biokinetics
- B Tech: Biomedical Technology
- B Tech: Biotechnology
- B Tech: Cartography
- B Tech: Chiropractic
- B Tech: Clinical Technology
- B Tech: Dental Technology
- B Tech: Emergency Medical Care
- B Tech: Engineering: Chemical
- B Tech: Engineering: Civil
- B Tech: Engineering: Electrical
- B Tech: Engineering: Industrial
- B Tech: Engineering: Mechanical
- B Tech: Engineering: Mechanical: Mechatronics
- B Tech: Engineering: Metallurgy
- B Tech: Engineering: Refractories
- B Tech: Forestry
- B Tech: Homoeopathy
- B Tech: Nursing
- B Tech: Nursing Science
- B Tech: Nursing: Community Nursing
- B Tech: Nursing: Primary Health Care
- B Tech: Nursing: Occupational Nursing
- PGCE,
- LLB,
- MbCHB,
- PGDA
Note:
- All students must re-apply for funding on an annual basis.
- Funds allocated to students are paid directly into the student’s fee account.
Who to contact?
For any queries related to this bursary programme, contact NSFAS directly:
- Tel: 0860 067 327
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za.