The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) falls under the Department of Higher Education and Training and offers financial aid to students at public universities and TVET colleges.
NSFAS has helped deserving South African students for more than 28 years, covering expenses such as the cost of registration, tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, learning materials, and even personal care.
To date, NSFAS has helped over 4 million students afford higher education and achieve their dreams. If you’re in need of financial aid and don’t know where to start, this guide is for you.
AFRIR – A002 – 0_NSFAS Application: How To Apply And Submit Documentation
We have gathered all the information you need to complete the NSFAS online application, including how to apply for NSFAS, necessary documents to apply at NSFAS, how to send the necessary documents to NSFAS, and the fee to apply at NSFAS for 2022.
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NSFAS Application: How to Apply
It’s not uncommon for you and others to have questions about how to apply for NSFAS. Keep on reading to learn how to create an account and submit your NSFAS online application.
NSFAS Application Form
To fill out the NSFAS application form, applicants first have to create their myNSFAS accounts. To do this, they must have a valid email address, cell phone number, and a South African ID number. They must then go through the following steps:
1. Visit http://www.nsfas.org.za/, click “myNSFAS” and then click the “Register” button.
2. Fill in the relevant information and verify the details by clicking on the tick box provided.
3. Enter the One Time Pin (OTP) sent on to both your cell phone and email address.
4. Log in to the account once you receive a confirmation message.
5. Click on the “Apply” tab and enter the required fields.
After this, you will be prompted to upload the necessary documents to apply at NSFAS.
Necessary Documents to Apply at NSFAS
The necessary documents to apply at NSFAS differ based on income, dependency, age, and disability. The following are the documents required based on the relevant categories.
All Applicants
All applicants must include a copy of their ID with the rest of the required documents. They must also seek consent from parties such as parents, guardians, and spouses to submit their personal information so it can be verified by NSFAS.
Dependent Candidates
Applicants may be dependent on their parents, guardians, or spouse. If this is the case, they have to provide copies of their IDs as well. They must also include proof of income, which can consist of either a payslip or an appointment letter.
Self-Sufficient Candidates
Applicants who are self-sufficient have to provide proof of income as well. This can be in the form of a payslip or an appointment letter. However, they must also include one year’s IRP5 form.
Candidates with Disabilities
Those with disabilities must submit signed Disability Annexure A forms along with their applications.
Additional Documents and Information
SASSA recipients are exempt from submitting proof of income. Additionally, vulnerable children under 18 years of age must submit Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form, which has to be filled in by the relevant social worker.
It should be noted that in some cases, death certificates, divorce decrees, and retrenchment letters may be required.
How to Send the Necessary Documents to NSFAS
The necessary documents are submitted after finishing the NSFAS online application. After creating an NSFAS account and completing the application, you must submit the supporting documents. After uploading them to the system, you must accept the terms and conditions set forth by ticking the box and then click the “submit” button.
NSFAS Closing Date for 2022
NSFAS applications for 2022 will close on 30th November 2021. All applicants can apply starting on 1st September 2021 until midnight on the closing date.
Fee to Apply at NSFAS for 2022
There is no fee associated with NSFAS applications. Candidates have to submit their applications along with the relevant documents for consideration.
Who Can Apply at NSFAS
If you’re a student in need of financial aid, NSFAS may be able to help. South African students in need can apply to NSFAS and are eligible for funding. In addition to being a South African citizen, NSFAS financial aid requires your combined household income to be no more than R350,000 per year.
Those with disabilities can also apply, and their combined household income has to be within R600,000 per year. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant recipients also qualify for NSFAS funding, as do applicants who registered for university before 2018. For these students, combined household income should not surpass R122,000 per year.
It’s also important to note that students who have applied for and received funding previously do not need to re-apply for NSFAS funding. The system ensures that the entire duration of their studies is funded, provided they pass all their modules and meet the requirements stipulated. Those who have completed a previous qualification are also restricted from applying for NSFAS funding. The only exception to this is if they are approved for a funded postgraduate qualification.
Conclusion
Once you’ve submitted your application, you will receive an Application Reference Number on both your cell phone and email. Additionally, you can log into your myNSFAS account anytime and track your application.
We hope this article helps you apply to NSFAS and receive the necessary funding. Good luck!