Students who study at any of the 50 TVET colleges in South Africa qualify for bursary funding from The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The bursary scheme encourages TVET college students to apply for funding since their qualification equips them with the vocational and occupational skills that enable them to make a meaningful contribution to the country's economy.
They also point out that a TVET college qualification also enables students to unleash their entrepreneurial potential and possibly pursue new ventures and create job opportunities in various sectors that are plagued by a skills shortage.
However, in order to be eligible for NSFAS funding, prospective TVET College students need to meet the requirements listed below:
- You need to be a South African citizen.
- You need to be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any of the 50 public TVET Colleges in South Africa.
- You need to meet the financial eligibility criteria.
- If you are a returning student, you need to demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance in line with the institution’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines.
- Should not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was funded by the state.
- Have a combined gross family income of up to R350 000 per annum.
If you meet these requirements, this is how can submit your NSFAS online application:
- Go to https://my.nsfas.org.za/Application/selfservice.jsp
- Create a myNSFAS account
- Click on ‘Apply’ and update your information and upload your application supporting documents
- Click ‘Submit’
Alternatively, you can also apply for your NSFAS funding at one of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) centres across the country.
The NYDA assists students who have not yet applied, especially those who are located in remote areas without internet access.