How To Apply For NSFAS To Cover Trimester One Studies

NSFAS provides bursaries to individuals who plan on studying or are applying to study at one of South Africa's 26 Public Universities or 50 TVET Colleges.

Students who are approved to receive funding will have their tuition fees covered, as well as registration, accommodation, transport, books and other student needs.

Firstly, students have to meet specific criteria/requirements in order to receive funding from NSFAS. This criteria includes: 

1. Being a South African citizen
2. Having a combined annual household income that does not exceed R350 000 per annum
3. Being a SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) recipient 
4. Registering for the first time for an undergraduate qualification at a public university or registering at a TVET college for one of the National Certificate Vocational or report 191 programme
5. Applying to study at a public university or TVET college for a qualification
6. Being an already registered university student with an annual household income of less than R122 000 per year;
7. Having passed Grade 9 & 10 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a TVET college;
8. Having passed Grade 12 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a university.

Submitting your NSFAS application can be done in the following ways: 

1. Walk-in online application platform (super user)
   • Students capture their application at their college computer lab
2. Assistive capture application platform
   • Application captured by a TVET official on behalf of the student

Like most applications, there are certain documents that students applying for NSFAS are required to have with them, which are: 

1. A copy of a South African birth certificate/copy of ID document/Temporary ID of student
2. A copy of South African birth certificate/copy of ID document/Temporary ID of parent(s)/guardian/spouse
3. Proof of income (where applicable) – student/parent(s)/guardian or spouse (not older than 3 months)
4. SASSA recipients; no proof of income required.
5. A completed Vulnerable Child Declaration Form completed by a Social Worker for a student recognized as a vulnerable child (e.g. an Orphan) 
6. A completed and submitted Disability Annexure A form for students with disabilities. 

Students should also have a completed application form as well as a completed consent form. 

Students can also head to their college or a NSFAS walk-in centre for assistance with their application. Remember to bring the required documents along, as well as to be aware of application closing dates to avoid missing out on student funding. 

If students have submitted their NSFAS application during the walk-in applications window, then they won't need to complete the NSFAS system access form. All they would need to do is email [email protected] for the reactivation of their account. 

NSFAS has said that those who need access for the first time need to complete the NSFAS system access form and send it to the email address above.