The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received 74,807 appeals from students whose funding applications for the 2025 academic year was unsuccessful.
Of these, 41,211 have been processed, with 23,511 approved, granting funding to those students. However, 5,846 appeals were rejected for not meeting funding criteria.
Who Cannot Submit an Appeal?
Applicants are not eligible to appeal if they:
- Are registered for a qualification that NSFAS does not fund.
- Have exceeded the N+2 rule (N+3 for students with disabilities).
- Submitted discrepant parental or legal guardian information.
- Their institution has not submitted or incorrectly submitted their registration record (queries must be directed to the institution).
- Took a gap year and were previously denied funding due to academic ineligibility.
Appeals Based on Academic Performance
NSFAS will only consider appeals for failing to meet academic criteria if:
- The student can prove their academic results were incorrectly recorded.
- They missed exams due to severe illness lasting two or more months.
- They lost an immediate family member or were a victim of a violent crime during the academic term.
- They gave birth during the academic term.
- Their institution confirms they can complete their qualification within one additional academic term.
Appeals Based on Household Income
Students exceeding the household income threshold may appeal if:
- They provide proof that their actual household income is below the threshold.
- Their household income has changed since applying.
- A key financial contributor has become incapacitated or deceased since applying.
- A court has declared them financially independent, ruling that their parents are not responsible for their maintenance and education costs.
Applicants must submit all supporting documents upon request via SMA/email to have their appeals processed. Those ineligible to appeal must apply again in the next funding cycle.
