The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has helped more than five million students obtain tertiary education qualifications since it was established. They achieved this by providing comprehensive funding to students that aims to cover all the costs associated with getting a degree.
NSFAS bursaries not only include tuition and registration fees, it also include several NSFAS allowances for students. These allowances include an accommodation allowance, meal allowance, personal care allowance and in some cases, a transport allowance.
All students applying for NSFAS must meet the specific requirements for a NSFAS bursary or a NSFAS missing middle loan. These eligibility criteria include being a South African citizen, studying towards an approved qualification and meeting the NSFAS household income threshold of R350,000 for able-bodied students and R600,000 for students living with disabilities.
While you only have to apply for NSFAS once, the financial aid scheme will assess whether or not you will be funded for the duration of your qualification.
The NSFAS requirements to continue being funded by NSFAS include meeting financial and academic requirements.
Academic Requirements For University Students To Stay Funded
Academic progression is based on the percentage of course credits completed within an academic year. Both institutions and NSFAS will gradually adjust these criteria.
Continuing and First Time Entering (FTEN) university students must achieve a course credit pass rate of 50% starting in 2024 to stay funded by NSFAS.
Additionally, to secure funding for the next academic year, these students must achieve a course credit pass rate of 60% by the end of the current academic year.
Students may not exceed the N+Rule for university.
Academic Progression
NSFAS reminds students that only NSFAS-approved university progression pathways will be funded and implemented.
For university students, the only approved University progression pathway is from a qualification that has been defined as a certificate qualification to a qualification that has been defined as an undergraduate qualification.
It must be taken into account that NSFAS only funds students studying towards their first certificate or undergraduate qualification.
