The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides the NSFAS bursary and NSFAS loan which offers to cover all a student needs. NSFAS funding covers tuition fees, registration fees, accommodation, transport, books, and other study-related expenses.
In South Africa, an Advanced Diploma is a postgraduate qualification that sits at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7. This places it at the same level as a Bachelor's degree.
Many students are now wondering whether NSFAS will fund their Advanced Diplomas.
Will NSFAS Cover Advanced Diploma Courses?
The Advanced Diploma is considered to be a Postgraduate qualification and is obtained after the first Diploma qualification.
When looking at whether NSFAS will fund Advanced Diplomas, we need to consider both the bursary and the loan offered by NSFAS.
The NSFAS bursary no longer funds postgraduate qualifications which means that they won't cover Advanced Diploma courses. However, you can still get funded by a NSFAS loan which would need to be paid back.
NSFAS Requirements
Bursary
- Must be a South African citizen
- Household income must be between R0 and R350 000 per annum
- Must be studying towards first qualification at TVET College or public University
- Persons with disabilities: combined household income must not exceed R600 000 per annum
Loan
- Must be a South African citizen
- Household income must be between R350 001 and R600 000 per annum
- Must be studying at a TVET College or public University
Following the submission of the NSFAS application, NSFAS will begin its eligibility checks to confirm that the applicant does indeed qualify for funding. Students who fail the NSFAS bursary household income check will automatically be assessed for an NSFAS student loan.
