The National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, as well as several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
NSFAS applications for the 2025 academic year opened on 20 September and is set to close on 15 December.
During a press briefing, NSFAS Spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, revealed that NSFAS will prioritise immediate funding decisions for SASSA recipients and first-time entering students.
The government bursary scheme hopes to finalise all NSFAS funding decisions by 31 December 2024.
Students will also start receiving funding decisions after the release of Matric results on 16 January 2025. The Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabana, said that due to the late release of matric results, funding decisions might be delayed.
It was agreed in our engagement that NSFAS is the main factor of instabilities in our institutions of Higher Learning. However, this is linked to delays in releasing matric examination results which then translates to delays in funding decisions.
Once NSFAS evaluates your NSFAS application and finds that you qualify, they will need you to be registered to fully confirm your funding. However, if you receive a 'Provisionally Funded - Funded Subject To Registration And Availability Of Funds', it basically means you've been approved.
What Your NSFAS Status Means
Verification
During this step, NSFAS is evaluating the information you provided to them in your NSFAS application. At this stage, they are looking at your NSFAS eligibility.
Verification is a process where NSFAS checks and confirms the accuracy of the information you've provided in your application. This includes details about your:
- Personal information: Name, ID number, contact details
- Household income: Your parents' or guardians' income
- Academic qualifications: Your school results and any previous tertiary qualifications
- Financial need: Your ability to afford tertiary education without financial aid
There is no set timeframe for how long this NSFAS status last as the NSFAS system is unpredictable.
Provisionally Funded - Funded Subject To Registration And Availability Of Funds
The ‘Provisionally Funded’ status indicates that the applicant is approved for funding, but NSFAS is still awaiting registration data from the student’s institution after a student has registered for that academic year.
You will see the message "Funded Subject To Registration and Availability of Funds". This means that students with this application status can relax knowing that as soon as they register, their funding will be confirmed for NSFAS.
Applicants are urged to continuously check their NSFAS status on the myNSFAS portal for updates but with NSFAS, patience is key.
