Does NSFAS Fund Nelson Mandela University Students?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which we know as NSFAS, should definitely be one of your options for funding if you wishing to study further. Continue reading to find out if they will fund Nelson Mandela University students.

If you attend or are looking to attend the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and you're trying to figure out how to pay your fees, have you wondered if NSFAS will pay?

NSFAS administers bursaries to those studying or wanting to study who come from poor and working class backgrounds. 

Luckily, because NSFAS funds students from all 26 public Universities in the country, they will then cover NMU students. You do however need to meet a set of requirements to be funded by them. These are:

• You need to have a household income which comes to R350 000 a year or less
• If you're a person living with a disability, your household income should then come to R600 000 or less per year
• Should you be a SASSA recipient, you immediately qualify
• Must be applying to or studying at one of the 26 public Universities in the country
• Must be a South African citizen

NSFAS funding does not have an age limit and they will still fund you if you took a gap year or are transferring. 

This bursary not only covers your fees but also pays for registration, accommodation, transport, books, meals and other living expenses. NSFAS does not cover gym, interests, societies, library books lost and re-exams.

NSFAS funded students who have a disability are further supported through an additional allowances:

• Medical Assessment: Limited to one assessment for the duration of the qualification and on request by the Disability Unit/ Student Support
• Assistive Devices: Limited to one Assistive Device for the duration of study. 
• Human Support: To cover for the cost of a caregiver, guide dog, scribe, tutor or sign language interpreter

Applications open in August/September and will close in November/December. These applications can be done both online and at a NSFAS centre.

It is important to note that the Financial Aid office at NMU does not receive and process NSFAS applications and works with confirmed funding statuses as received from NSFAS. That said however, Financial Aid remains committed to helping students to access the funding assistance for which they qualify.

To learn more about being a NSFAS funded student at NMU, head to NMU's website.

Visit the NSFAS website here to find out more about NSFAS.