Once you have submitted your NSFAS online application, you will be able to view the status of your application online on the NSFAS website. However, some of the terms may be confusing, so here is a breakdown of what your NSFAS application status may mean.
Who Is The National Student Financial Aid Scheme?
NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which is a government agency that provides financial assistance to eligible students who are unable to afford the cost of higher education.
The organisation was established in 1999 and is responsible for managing the allocation of funds to eligible students.
The NSFAS funding process provides financial aid in the form of bursaries to help cover the cost of various expenses, such as tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks and other related expenses.
The bursary scheme provides public university, college and TVET college funding to students who meet the eligibility criteria.
The aim of NSFAS funding is to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent academically deserving students from pursuing tertiary education in South Africa.
The scheme is managed by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and has provided financial aid to millions of disadvantaged students since its establishment.
What Institutions And Courses Does NSFAS Fund?
NSFAS provides financial aid for students completing their tertiary education at accredited public TVET colleges and public universities.
However, if you want to study through a private institution, you will have to consider other financial aid options, such as student loans or scholarships.
The financial aid scheme provides funding for a range of undergraduate degrees, diplomas and higher certificates, as well as TVET college courses, including the National Certificate Vocation (NCV) and NATED qualifications.
NSFAS no longer provides funding for short courses. NSFAS also does not provide financial aid for postgraduate courses.
You should apply for NSFAS as soon as the application period opens and not wait until you have been accepted at a university or college.
Who Is Eligible For NSFAS Funding?
NSFAS provides funding for university students, college students and TVET college students who meet the eligibility criteria.
The funding requirements include:
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An annual combined household income of less than R350,000
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Acceptance to study at a registered South African university, college or TVET college
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Be a South African citizen
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Sassa grant recipients immediately qualify for NSFAS funding
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If you are a student with a disability, your combined household income may not exceed R600,000 per annum
NSFAS identifies eligible students through the means test. You will be scheduled for the means test once your apply for NSFAS.
Prospective students should submit their NSFAS applications only if they meet these criteria, otherwise, the application will be rejected.
The Official NSFAS Website
You can view full details on the official NSFAS website at www nsfas org za.
When submitting your NSFAS application you will be required to upload the necessary supporting documents, so it is important to ensure that you have certified copies of documentation such as your ID and proof of your household financial status.
NSFAS applicants complete their online application on the NSFAS website in a few simple steps.
If you're waiting to hear back from NSFAS about whether or not you'll be funded through a NSFAS bursary, you can track your NSFAS online application on the NSFAS student portal. It is very important to make sure you do regularly check your NSFAS status.
How To Track Your myNSFAS Application Status:
If you have submitted your funding application, you may be wondering what the outcome is. Fortunately, once you apply for NSFAS you can track the status of your NSFAS online application form on the NSFAS website in a few simple steps.
Here is how to do a NSFAS status check for your application status.
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Log in to your NSFAS account on the myNSFAS student portal here
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Enter your username and password and sign in
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Click on Track Funding Progress
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You will then be able to track funding progress and check your NSFAS status
Once there, there are a number of results you might receive when doing a NSFAS status check while applying for NSFAS funding.
If there is any information missing you will need to submit your supporting documents.
If you can confirm your NSFAS application early it will make things easier at your university or college during the registration process. You can confirm your NSFAS status using the online resources and NSFAS platforms.
You may encounter terms that you are unfamiliar with, so here is a breakdown.
What Your NSFAS Application Status Means
What's the use of being told to check NSFAS application status if you don't understand what you see on the NSFAS application system? Here's what your NSFAS bursary application status means.
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Application Submitted: This NSFAS status means that your NSFAS bursary online application has been loaded onto the NSFAS system successfully.
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Filtering: If you see this on the NSFAS portal, it means the system is checking if you are a returning student and whether you have any previous qualifications.
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Validation: NSFAS is conducting third-party checks with SASSA and the Department of Home Affairs.
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Evaluation: NSFAS is verifying all the documents you have submitted with your NSFAS applications.
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Funding Eligibility: NSFAS is verifying your household financial status that was declared in your application.
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Awaiting Academic Results/Admission: NSFAS is checking your academic results and your institution's admission status to ensure that you meet the requirements to be funded by NSFAS. Many find themselves staying on this step for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
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Awaiting Registration: NSFAS is receiving data from your institution to enable them to create a bursary agreement. This is another step students find themselves on for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
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Signing Of Agreement: At this stage, you need to sign your bursary agreement so that NSFAS can disburse your allowances.
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Payments: Your allowances are now being paid either through NSFAS mobile wallet system or through your institution. Students are advised to continue to monitor the myNSFAS portal for updates.
If you need help with your NSFAS application, you can visit your university or college's financial aid office.
What Does NSFAS Funding Include?
NSFAS provides funding for student accommodation, transportation, books and stationery, living allowances, food allowances, as well as registration and tuition fees for TVET college and university students.
The exact breakdown of how the NSFAS allowance is allocated changes annually, but you can view a breakdown of the latest allocation for 2023.
NSFAS was created with the aim of providing financial assistance to students from poorer and working-class families, to give them the opportunity to attend a university or TVET college and further their education.
You can contact NSFAS directly regarding any NSFAS funding queries or concerns you may have. If you're looking for NSFAS contact details or want to visit the NSFAS website, click here.
NSFAS Contact Details
Needing to contact NSFAS directly? NSFAS is available to assist you on any queries you have about NSFAS funding or your NSFAS status through the following contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www nsfas org za
Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Twitter: @myNSFAS
Instagram: @myNSFAS
WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006
USSD: *120*67327#
FAQS About NSFAS
1. What is NSFAS? NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which is a bursary scheme that provides financial aid to eligible students at TVET colleges and public universities.
2. Who qualifies for NSFAS funding? NSFAS funding is primarily for South African citizens who are studying or intend to study at a public university or TVET college, come from a household with a combined annual income of less than R350,000, and meet the specific admission criteria of the institution.
3. How do I apply for NSFAS? Applications are submitted online via the NSFAS website. You'll need to create an account, fill in the application form, and upload the required supporting documents.
4. What does NSFAS funding cover? NSFAS provides coverage for a range of student necessities, including tuition fees, accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials.
5. Is NSFAS a loan or a bursary? Since 2018, NSFAS has been converted into a bursary scheme for qualifying students, which means it does not need to be repaid. Prior to that, it functioned as a loan system.
6. How do I check my NSFAS application status? You can check your application status by logging into your account on the NSFAS website.
7. What documents do I need to apply for NSFAS? Typically, you'll need a copy of your ID or birth certificate, consent form, and proof of income or social grant/pension receipts if applicable. Parents or guardians' IDs and proof of income are also required.
8. Can I apply for NSFAS if I'm already a university student? Yes, students already enrolled at a university or TVET college can apply for NSFAS funding, provided they meet the qualifying criteria.
9. Does NSFAS fund postgraduate studies? NSFAS funding is typically for undergraduate courses. Some postgraduate qualifications, like PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), may be funded based on the availability of funds and the field of study.
10. What happens if I fail some modules, will NSFAS continue to fund me? NSFAS may continue to fund you, but it depends on the NSFAS policy at the time. Typically, you need to pass a certain percentage of your modules to continue receiving funding.
11. When do I need to reapply for NSFAS? Students need to reapply for NSFAS each academic year within the specified application period.
12. Can NSFAS fund me if I'm studying part-time? Part-time students at universities are not typically funded by NSFAS. However, some part-time students at TVET colleges may be eligible for NSFAS funding, subject to meeting other qualifying criteria.
