NSFAS Has Improved Its Appeals Process

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) received 1,666,039 funding applications for the 2023 academic through its online portal.

This year, NSFAS processed applications through its new system. There were system issues, as expected, but the system was being continually improved to address the challenges that were identified.

Reflecting on previous years, Dr Ernest Khosa, Chairperson of the NSFAS Board, said the Scheme received a total of 941,491 student funding applicants who had been confirmed for funding, pending registration at their chosen public tertiary institution at the beginning of the academic year.

However, just over 300,000 applicants were rejected by the government bursary to financially support them for their studies this year.

Fortunately, NSFAS had urged all applicants that have been declined for funding to submit an appeal within 30 days after the receipt of the application outcome. In a statement, Khosa has mentioned:

During the time of processing appeals, NSFAS found that the number of appeals this year has reached 64,000, which was slightly lower than the previous year’s number. 

This indicates that the government bursary scheme has better handled its online application process, compared to the previous application cycle.

In previous years, the issue of appeals for continuing NSFAS students used to be a process that was managed at an institutional level.

As of 2023, the NSFAS Board established an Independent Appeals Tribunal, chaired by Advocate Tommy Ntsewa, joined by representatives across the Higher Education sector such as student organisations, NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education and Training.

The Tribunal was established to provide effective management of appeals from students whose applications for funding have been rejected, or discontinued funding.

Khosa had anticipated for Nsfas funding appeals to be concluded before the start of the registration period in public institutions of higher education and this would need better coordination of the system to be achieved.

Here is how to appeal your NSFAS application:

1. Click here to visit the myNSFAS website.
2. Log in to your myNSFAS account.
3. Select the 'Track Funding Progress' option.
4. Click on the 'Submit Appeal' tab.
5. Once you are on the 'Application Appeal' page, you can see the reason for your unsuccessful application status
6. You are then able to choose the appeal reason
7. Then upload certified supporting documents to support your reason
8. Then click 'Submit Appeal'
9. You may now track the progress of the appeal on your myNSFAS account.

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)

Once you have appealed your application, you may track the progress of the appeal on your myNSFAS account.