People are often unaware of the fact that to get funded by NSFAS, it is not about your marks but rather your Sassa status or your parents' income. The grades are important to get into an institution and you would need to be a registered student to get funded. Should you be getting funds from Sassa, you also would need to send your Sassa details to NSFAS.
While on a webinar with Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, Dr Randall Carolissen, NSFAS Administrator, announced that NSFAS applications will open on 1 August.
When applications open, NSFAS will be expanding their virtual outreach as the pandemic calls for innovation. Usually, NSFAS would travel across the country to talk to matric learners. NSFAS aims to have learners be more educated about the opportunities they have and all that NSFAS is.
NSFAS hopes to get the Department of Basic Education to speak about NSFAS during Life Orientation and encourage learners to get their documents together and certified. NSFAS experiences delays and currently has to still verify 20000 students due to document shortages, says Carolissen.
Carolissen also said, "if you are rejected, don't give up because we have other bursaries" and on those who have difficulty with documents, "if you don't have an ID, provide and affidavit and NSFAS will verify it on your behalf".
The NSFAS Administrator also advised students to not think that University is their only choice and that the option to attend a TVET College is there as well.
