With the closing date being just over three weeks away, NSFAS has already received over 493 904 applications for 2021 funding.
Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, has congratulated the financial aid scheme on exceeding the 400 000 mark.
With only four weeks left before the closing of the NSFAS 2021 application cycle, an analysis has revealed that the number of applications received to date has almost doubled the number of applications received in previous cycles on the same timeline.
This time last year, NSFAS had then only received 287 769 applications at this point. An increase in applications, even double, was also seen in provinces where they were previously extremely low.
NSFAS also released statistics for the 2021 applications received already and broke them down as follows:
“These latest statistics are encouraging and give an indication that NSFAS’s efforts in providing easy access through partnerships is yielding positive results," said Minister Nzimande.
So far, 155 543 males have applied with females doubling that total with 338 324 applications in total. 68% of applications were therefore received from females. This, according to Nzimande, has been the trajectory for the past three years.
291 962 of the almost 500 000 applications were received from individuals who benefit from SASSA.
The Minister continued to say, "We remain highly grateful to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for their continuous support and partnership. NYDA centres and Teacher's Centres across the country will remain operation as NSFAS application centres throughout the application cycle. We would like to encourage applicants to use these centres".
NSFAS applications close on 30 November so if you haven't applied yet, be sure to do so before it's too late. No matter what your age is, if you meet the requirements, you can get funded by NSFAS. Click here to learn how to apply to NSFAS.
NSFAS offers bursaries for South African students studying at public universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS has got you covered with funding for registration, tuition and allowances. To apply make sure you have a cellphone number and email address as well as your supporting documents.
MINISTER NZIMANDE CONGRATULATES NSFAS FOR PASSING THE 400 000 MARK ON THEIR 2021 APPLICATIONS pic.twitter.com/V7zWAzgLdd
— NSFAS (@myNSFAS) November 4, 2020
