Nsfas Appeals For 2023 Now Open

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) have announced that appeal applications are open to individuals whose bursary applications were unsuccessful. The appeal application period will close on 20 February 2023.

Nsfas provides comprehensive bursaries to students from poor and working-class backgrounds in South Africa. These Nsfas bursaries are popular with thousands of students who require funding for their tertiary education journey.

As of Friday, 20 January 2023, Nsfas received more than one million Nsfas bursary applications through the myNsfas portal. At Least 156 000 students have already been approved for funding in 2023.

However, many students who submitted Nsfas bursary applications for the 2023 academic year will be unsuccessful and will not receive funding from Nsfas.

It's important to note that unsuccessful Nsfas applicants can appeal their rejection status if they feel they are deserving of Nsfas funding. Applicants are reminded that they must meet the Nsfas bursary criteria to be eligible to receive funding.

Here’s How To Appeal An Unsuccessful Nsfas Application 

1. Go to myNSFAS
2. Log into your myNSFAS account.
3. Click the 'Track Funding Progress' option.
4. Check the application progress tabs.
5. If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, you may submit an appeal by clicking on the 'Submit Appeal Tab'.
6. Once you are on the 'Application Appeal' page, you can see the reason for your unsuccessful application status.
7. You are then able to choose the appeal reason.
8. Upload certified supporting documents to support your reason.
9. Click 'Submit Appeal'.

It is important to note that NSFAS applicants who want to appeal will also need to complete and download a relevant propensity letter.

Here are the propensity letters available for download:

1. Failure to meet academic eligibility (PDF)
2. Appealing N+1 (PDF)
3. N+2 students with disability (PDF)
4. Registered for 50% or less (final year course credits) to complete (PDF)

Nsfas will respond to an appeal application within 30 days.

Nsfas will also introduce new academic eligibility criteria for 2023.

• As of 2023, First Time Entering Students (FTENs) must achieve a course credit pass rate of 50%
• Continuing university students must achieve a progressive course credit pass rate of 55%.
• All returning University students must meet ongoing academic eligibility requirements in order to remain funded by Nsfas. This is because the academic progression criteria will increase from 55% to 60% over time.

If an applicant is successful in their Nsfas appeal application, they will receive comprehensive funding. Nsfas bursaries cover tuition and accommodation fees. Students will also receive a transport allowance, meal allowance  and a book allowance.