If You Dropped Out, Must You Re-Apply For NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays a critical role in ensuring students from poor and working-class backgrounds can further their education without having to worry about the costs. They do this by comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges.

NSFAS funding not only includes money for tuition and registration fees but also includes several allowances for food, accommodation and learning materials. 

While this funding ensures that students can focus solely on their studies, life happens and circumstances may force a student to drop out of their course. But what happens to your NSFAS funding if you want to return to your studies after dropping out? 

If You Dropped Out, Must You Re-Apply For NSFAS?

The good news is that despite dropping out of college/university, you can still qualify for NSFAS funding. However, you will need to take action to restart your NSFAS funding. 

NSFAS explained that students who deregister or drop out must reapply for NSFAS if they want to continue their studies. 

Students who deregister or drop out during an academic term and wish to resume their studies in future academic terms must re-apply for NSFAS

How To Apply For NSFAS

1. Create a myNsfas account 
   • If you have an existing myNsfas account, click on 'login' when going to myNsfas and complete your information
   • If you don't have a myNsfas account, click on 'Create account'
2. Log into your myNsfas account
3. Click on 'Apply'
4. Answer the questions on the screen
5. If necessary upload any supporting documents (often you don't have to!)
6. Click on 'Submit'
7. You will then receive an application reference number

Remember, NSFAS will only fund you if you maintain your academic eligibility criteria.