Bursary Q & A

If a prospective student qualifies for a bursary, they will have to sign a contract with binding conditions. Accepting DHET bursary funding will not require a beneficiary to pay back the funds in monetary terms.

I am a first time entrant and come from a family that earns a gross household income of up to R350 000 per annum. I have been offered a bursary/ scholarship from another funder but it does not cover my full cost of study. Can I receive funding in 2018 from NSFAS to cover the remainder of my full cost of study?

This is a grant, which covers the increases for tuition fees and university managed accommodation (where applicable), and will not have to be repaid by qualifying students.

NSFAS will not be reopening applications.

All eligible students will be provided with a bursary that covers the actual cost of their tuition, plus a NSFAS determined allowance for prescribed learning materials.

From 2018 onwards, prospective South African FTEN university students who have received a firm offer of a space at, or confirmation of admission into, a public higher education institution and who meet the criteria for financial assistance as coming from a “poor and working class” family, will be eligible for funding.

On 16 December 2017, the President announced that government would be introducing “fully subsidised free higher education and training for poor and working class South Africans” and that this would be provided through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to first year students in 2018.

Yes, you can register provided that you have made appropriate arrangements with your university.