The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) announced that 2024 applications will be opening on 21 November, in just a few days. Usually, NSFAS applications for the following academic year would open in August or September.
So why was this year's applications so late? The Minister for the Department of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, explained:
The reason for opening in November, is so that we can afford the beneficiary shorter turn around times for decision making which is aligned to our financial eligibility assessment which requires updated SARS information.
NSFAS was waiting for SARS to complete their tax period to make sure that the availability of necessary and updated information during the application season. This strategic timing facilitates the efficient processing of a NSFAS online application and aligns with the organisation's commitment to streamlining decision-making processes.
What Documents Are Needed To Apply For NSFAS?
Here are the documents all applicants need to submit when submitting your NSFAS online application:
- Copy of your ID
- Must have consent from parent(s), guardian or spouse to submit their personal information for validation and verification. Once you accept the application terms and conditions, you confirm that you have received consent from all relevant parties.
If the applicant is dependent on their parents/guardian/spouse, they must provide:
- A copy of your ID or birth certificate.
- ID copies of parents, guardian or spouse (or death certificate where applicable).
- Marriage certificate (where applicable).
- Your proof of income or 1 year’s IRP5 (if applicable).
- Your parents, guardian or spouse’s proof of income (if you are a Sassa grant recipient, no proof of income is required)
If the applicant has a disability, they must provide:
- A completed Disability Annexure A (if their information is not pre-populated on the online application form)
Students will have until 31 January 2024 to submit a NSFAS online application. This means that students will have just over two months to submit applications for NSFAS funding.
