The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is responsible for disbursing NSFAS funding to students who want to study at public higher education institutions but can't afford the tuition fees on their own. NSFAS would then assist through a NSFAS bursary or a NSFAS missing middle loan.
However, applicants might find that they are rejected due to not meeting the NSFAS requirements. NSFAS does however offer a second chance to these applicants through NSFAS appeals.
There a quite a few scenarios where these NSFAS appeals will be considered in the case where the applicant didn't meet the NSFAS requirements.
Exceeding Household Income Threshold
NSFAS requirements state that for a student to qualify for a NSFAS bursary, they must have a household income between R0 and R350 000 and for loans, this threshold is between R350 001 and R600 000. If you don't fit within these thresholds, you will be rejected.
However, in these cases, if you submit a NSFAS appeal, you might still be considered:
- The financial situation of their household has altered since they submitted their application, and proof of this change has been submitted to NSFAS.
- Students can present proof demonstrating that their household income is genuinely below the specified threshold.
- A significant contributor to their household income has either become incapacitated or passed away after the submission of their application.
- The student/applicant has obtained legal independence from their biological parents through a court declaration.
- The court has ruled that the parents are not obligated to cover the student's/applicant's maintenance, including the expenses related to education.
- The student/applicant comes from a household headed by a child, and this is confirmed by a report from a social worker registered with the Department of Social Development.
Failed to meet the academic eligibility criteria
When you are a student who is not in their first year and received funding in previous academic terms, there are academic requirements to qualify for NSFAS funding. If you didn't meet the academic eligibility criteria, you will be rejected.
However, in these cases, if you submit a NSFAS appeal, you might still be considered:
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to severe illness persisting for an uninterrupted period of two or more months during the academic term or examinations.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to a death in the immediate family during the academic term.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to having been a victim of a violent crime.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to being pregnant and giving birth during the academic term.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to the nature of their disability.
NSFAS Propensity Letter
In such cases, the institution will have to assess the student and complete the NSFAS standard propensity letter, affirming that the student will complete their qualification within an additional academic term.
Other cases:
- The student can provide evidence demonstrating that the academic results submitted to NSFAS are inaccurate.
Exceeding The N+ Rule
The N+ rule states that a student can be funded for N+ years, where N refers to the number of years registered at an institution. Currently, the N+1 rule is in place which means students get an extra year.
If you exceed the N+ rule, you will be rejected. However, in these cases, if you submit a NSFAS appeal, you might still be considered:
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to severe illness persisting for an uninterrupted period of two or more months during the academic term or examinations.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to a death in the immediate family during the academic term.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to having been a victim of a violent crime.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to being pregnant and giving birth during the academic term.
- The student's inability to successfully complete the academic term is attributed to the nature of their disability.
- The student, enrolled in a university, can verify having 50% or fewer final-year course credits left to complete their qualification.
- The TVET student can demonstrate that they have two or fewer subjects remaining to complete their Report 191 qualification or three or fewer subjects to finish their NC(V) qualification.
In the above cases, the institution will have to assess the student and complete the NSFAS standard propensity letter, affirming that the student will complete their qualification within an additional academic term.
If a student is denied academic progression by an institution, appeals concerning this matter should be addressed directly to the institution.
