How to Apply to NSFAS Online

How to Apply to NSFAS Online

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial aid to students at TVET colleges and public universities. They assist students who would not be able to study due to a lack of funding.

What does the NSFAS bursary cover?

University:

Accommodation
Transport up to 40km from the university (limited to R7500 per year)

Living allowance (limited to R15,000 per year)
Book allowances (limited to R5200 per year)
Personal care allowance (limited to R2900 per year)

TVET Colleges:

Accommodation in an urban area (limited to R24,000 per year)
Accommodation in a peri-urban area (limited to R18,900 per year)
Accommodation in a rural area (limited to R15,750 per year)
Transport up to 40km from the college (limited to R7350 per year)
Transport (limited to R7000 per year)
Personal care allowance (limited to R2900 per year)

Do I qualify for NSFAS funding?

All South Africans qualify for funding.
All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding.
Your combined household income cannot be more than R350,000 per year.
If you have a disability, your combined household income cannot be more than R600,000 per year.
If you started studying before 2018, your household income could not be more than R122,000 per year.

Students who are not allowed to apply:

If you have completed a qualification.
If your combined household income is more than R350,000 per year.
If you have already applied, qualified and received funding.
If you are a foreign student.

Creating an NSFAS Account

Log on to the NSFAS website and click on myNSFAS.
Click on register and tick the acceptance option to allow NSFAS to verify your information.
Type in your ID number.
Type in your name and surname.
Type in your email address and cellphone number. Your email address will be your username.
Create a unique password and confirm it.
Upload a copy of your ID and click on register.
After clicking on register, you will receive an OTP via SMS as well as email.
Type in the OTP in the area provided, and click Submit.
You will receive an SMS and email confirming that your NSFAS account is active, and you can go on to apply.

NSFAS Application

How to apply for NSFAS:

Go to the NSFAS home page and click on myNSFAS.
Create an account by clicking on the Register tab.
Click on the Apply tab and answer the questions that come up.
Upload your supporting documents, and accept the Terms and Conditions, and click Submit.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an application reference number. This will also be sent to you via email and SMS.

NSFAS Requirements

The following is required to complete your application:

Your email address and cellphone number
A copy of your ID or birth certificate
Copies of parents, guardians, or spouse’s ID
Your proof of income, if applicable
Your parents, guardians or spouse’s proof of income
If you receive a SASSA grant, then you don’t need to send proof of income
If you have a disability, then you need to complete a disability form
If the applicant is recognised as a vulnerable child, the Vulnerable Child Declaration Form needs to be completed

Applications for NSFAS open at the beginning of December and close at the end of March. Students are notified of the outcome of their application once NSFAS receives confirmation that they have received an offer from a university or TVET college. You will be informed before the academic year starts, and this is done through email, SMS, and your myNSFAS account. Once NSFAS funds you, you won’t need to reapply, and your studies will be funded until you graduate. Repayment of your NSFAS loan will only start once you have secured a job. If you received an NSFAS loan in 2017 or before, you have a 12-month interest holiday after graduating. Repayments are based on your annual salary, and the repayment amount varies based on your salary.

To receive an NSFAS bursary, you have to have passed Grade 9 to 12 to receive funding to study at a TVET college. You have to have passed Grade 12 to receive funding to study at a university. If your NSFAS bursary is approved, you still need to meet the university’s academic admission requirements or TVET college. You are allowed to reapply for funding if you were funded before, and you can also apply if you have already started studying. Short courses are not covered by NSFAS loans, only diploma and degree courses.

If you qualify to receive funding directly from NSFAS, you will receive cash into your NSFAS wallet. This wallet allows you to withdraw cash and spend the money at any registered merchant. To be able to receive your funding into your wallet, you will need to have a cellphone with a valid SIM card and sign your bursary agreement. There are 33 TVET colleges that qualify for the NSFAS Wallet.

Contact NSFAS

NSFAS Virtual Contact Centre

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

Social Media: Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Payment and Balance Queries

Telephone: 08000 67327

Email: collections@nsfas.org.za

Account Queries

Email: queries@nsfas.org.za

For General, Student and Wallet Queries