Yes you may be eligible for top up funding, if you meet the academic and financial eligibility requirements.
Government and NSFAS encourages the private sector and other funders, including foundations, other national and provincial departments, etc. to continue to provide bursaries and scholarship to students studying in the university system.
First time entry students in 2018 who come from households with incomes of up to R350 000, who have been awarded bursaries or scholarships from other funders, will not qualify for full NSFAS bursaries.
However, NSFAS will consider financial aid to these students on a ‘top-up’ basis if they are not fully funded through their bursary or scholarship.
NSFAS will work with universities to ensure that these students are effectively funded and that there is no “double dipping”.
How will NSFAS determine the eligibility of first time entrant applicants in terms of the revised student funding policy as announced by the President?
NSFAS will apply a means test to determine the financial need of a student.
The means test takes into account the combined direct gross household income of up to R350 000 per annum. (This is different to the SASSA means test)
The means test will be undertaken through the consent of the applicant and his/her parents/legal guardians/spouse for NSFAS to verify the household income.
Will prospective students from families supported by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), or who attended from Quintile 1, 2 or 3 schools, have to undertake a means test?
Prospective students from families who are recipients of child support grants or disability grants administered through SASSA will automatically qualify for funding and will not have to undergo a means test.
All other students, no matter which school they attended, will be assessed using the NSFAS means test to verify that the applicant is eligible for the DHET bursary.
