The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides the NSFAS bursary and NSFAS loan which offers to cover all a student needs. NSFAS applications for 2025 are now open.
This NSFAS application period is available for applications for both bursaries and loans. The NSFAS application for 2025 period will close on 15 December 2024.
What You Will Need To Apply For NSFAS
For your NSFAS application, you will need your own cell phone number and email address and A copy of your ID or birth certificate. There are other documents as well but this depends on your circumstances.
NSFAS applications must be done online using myNSFAS. You should then open a myNSFAS account so that you are ready to apply as soon as applications open!
Applying for NSFAS funding is free, never agree to pay anyone to help you with the application. All applications are handled equally and there is no fee required to FastTrack the process.
How To Submit NSFAS Application 2025
The first step is to go to the NSFAS website and click on the 'myNSFAS' tab then step 2 is to create a myNSFAS account.
Then you will need to click on the 'APPLY' tab and complete the sections on the screen. After you’ve finished this, you must upload the required supporting documents where applicable and then click on 'Submit' when you’re done.
I urge students to provide accurate information, particularly parental information when applying for NSFAS.
NSFAS Status Check
Once you apply, you should regularly check your NSFAS status. To do this, you will need to go to myNSFAS and login using your NSFAS login details. Once you are logged in, click on the "track funding progress" option.
Your NSFAS application status will be displayed on the screen.
NSFAS Funding Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for NSFAS, you have to meet certain NSFAS requirements, such as the household income threshold.
The household income threshold for NSFAS bursaries is R350,000 per annum. This means that students who come from homes exceeding R350,000 per annum do not qualify for NSFAS bursaries. These students can apply for NSFAS loans.
Students living with disabilities may have a household income of up to R600,000 per annum.
Following the submission of the NSFAS application, NSFAS will begin its eligibility checks to confirm that the applicant does indeed qualify for funding. Students who fail the NSFAS bursary household income check will automatically be assessed for an NSFAS student loan.
Immediate funding decisions will be made for applicants who are beneficiaries of South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants.
Once the NSFAS funding decision has been made, you will either be approved for funding, be required to upload supporting documents or be declined.
Students who are rejected from NSFAS funding can submit an NSFAS appeal.