The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) who provides financial support to over 1 million tertiary students in South Africa has recently announced that it would be extending the deadline for appeals at TVET colleges for continuing students in 2021.
The deadline was extended from 17 May 2021 to 31 May 2021 at midnight.
This came after a few TVET colleges communicated that they were unable to meet the initial deadline. This was due to various reasons hindering the finalisation of recommendations by the College Appeals Committee and the NSFAS portal availability.
"We have taken into consideration the challenges and have resolved that the appeals period be extended to ensure that a maximum number of qualifying students can appeal," said NSFAS in a statement to TVET colleges.
If your application has been refused you can appeal to NSFAS to reconsider.
How To Send In An Appeal
- Download an appeal form here
- Complete the form
- Ensure that the relevant box indicating the reason for your appeal is checked.
- Signed motivation for appeal must be included
- Attach your supporting documents (e.g. Medical certificates, death certificate etc.)
- Submit the completed form through email to the Financial Aid Office at your institution.
Applicants will need to download and complete a propensity letter to motivate their reasons for submitting an appeal.
Here are the relevant propensity letters available for download:
- Failure to meet academic eligibility (PDF)
- Appealing N+1 (PDF)
- N+2 students with disability (PDF)
- Registered for 50% or less (final year course credits) to complete (PDF)
Alternatively, students can submit appeals directly to NSFAS, along with the required documentation, to [email protected].
Appeals will only be considered on the following grounds:
- Material change in combined household income (proof of loss of income needed with a fully completed NSFAS form for students that were not previously funded);
- Loss of a bursary/sponsor in the 2019 academic cycle (documented proof should be provided and should be accompanied by a fully completed NSFAS application form);
- Failure to meet academic criteria where prior academic performance has been satisfactory (provide supporting information and documentation that provides details of the reasons that affected performance);
- Failure to meet academic criteria due to medical condition (s) or death of an immediate family member (provide supporting information and documentation);
- Student had a gap year in NSFAS funding or failed to register previously and could not reapply for funding;
- More than one student from the same household concurrently enrolled at a university/TVET college; and
- Applying for an approved postgraduate qualification (see section F on the appeal form for list).
Students are encouraged to log in on the myNSFAS self-service portal www.nsfas.org.za to check their application status updates.
How to track your NSFAS application status
- Login on the myNSFAS portal here
- Enter your username and password and sign in
- Click on Track Funding Progress
Students who have been approved for funding would have a status which says 'Approved for funding subject to registration', those who have been rejected should have a status which reflects as ‘Application unsuccessful’.
