The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-provided system of financial assistance offered to disadvantaged students in need of funding for their education. This funding applies to students who are registered to study at either one of the 26 public universities, or the 50 recognised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges available in South Africa.
However, while university students are expected to apply once before the beginning of their academic year, many application dates are made available throughout each year to specifically accommodate TVET college walk-ins.
NSFAS application calendar for the 2023 academic year
Semester 1: Both university and TVET applicants were expected to have applied for funding by the 31st of January 2023 to cover enrolment from the beginning of semester one.
Trimester 2: Before the end of the first semester, TVET applicants looking to enrol during the second trimester were allowed to apply for funding from the 5th of May 2023 to the 22nd of May 2023.
Semester 2: TVET applicants looking to enrol for study during the second semester are currently still able to apply for NSFAS funding. These applications opened on the 17th of July 2023 and are set to close on the 31st of July 2023.
Trimester three: The final opportunity for applying for funding will open on the 4th of September 2023 and close on the 20th of September 2023. This will be for TVET students looking to enrol for study during the third trimester of the academic year.
For now, however, those TVET students aiming to fund their second semester enrolment should apply before the closing date on the 31st of July.
How To Apply
Students who are yet to apply should do so as soon as possible by visiting the NSFAS application website and following these steps:
- Login or if you are a first timer, register with NSFAS by creating a new account.
- Complete the required fields by offering up your contact and personal details, along with your education history.
- Upload your supporting documents and then click ‘submit’ once you have ensured that your application is complete.
The walk-in online application platform and assistive capture application platform are also available to students. When using the walk-in online application platform students make use of the college computer lab to submit their applications, whereas college officials apply on behalf of the student through the assistive capture application platform.
Here Are The Documents You'll Need To Submit
- Copy of South African birth certificate/copy of ID document/Temporary ID of the student.
- Copy of South African birth certificate/copy of ID document/Temporary ID of parent(s)/guardian/spouse.
- Proof of income – student/parent(s)/guardian or spouse (not older than 3 months)
- Sassa recipients do not need to provide proof of income.
Ensure that you submit all the necessary supporting documents to avoid any delays in the application process or being rejected by NSFAS.
