Since its establishment, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has played a pivotal role in helping millions of students attain tertiary education qualifications. This achievement is attributed to their provision of comprehensive funding, which is designed to cover all the expenses associated with obtaining a qualification.
NSFAS funding encompass tuition and registration fees, along with various NSFAS allowances for students.
This encompasses an accommodation allowance, addressing the needs of students who reside far from their enrolled institutions and require housing in proximity to their university or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College. NSFAS extends allowances to support students in securing accommodation when needed.
How Much 2024 NSFAS Allowances Are For Online TVET College Students
Distance TVET College students are eligible for the personal care allowance of R3,045 exclusively. To comprehend why NSFAS offers only one NSFAS allowance for Online TVET College students, it is necessary to delve into the concept of distance education.
NSFAS characterizes distance education as a mode of provision primarily relying on a set of teaching and learning strategies, or educational methods, aimed at overcoming spatial and/or transactional distance between educators and students.
It avoids the need for students to discover the curriculum by attending classes frequently and for long periods. Instead, it may use a combination of different media, tutorial support, peer group discussion, and practical sessions.
Distance learning or online TVET college students receive only a personal care allowance from NSFAS. This is because NSFAS assumes that these students have their own accommodation and do not require a travel allowance, given the likelihood that they are studying from home.
A TVET College student categorised as a distance learning student by the TVET College and who is enrolled for the minimum number of subjects required, namely 5 out of 7 subjects for NC(v) or 3 out of 4 subjects for Report 191.
All applicants for NSFAS must fulfill the criteria for either a NSFAS bursary or a NSFAS missing middle student loan. The eligibility requirements comprise being a South African citizen, pursuing an approved qualification, and meeting the NSFAS household income threshold, which is set at R350,000 for able-bodied students and R600,000 for students living with disabilities.
While the application for NSFAS is a one-time process, the financial aid scheme evaluates whether funding will be provided for the entire duration of the qualification. To remain eligible for continued funding, recipients must meet both financial and academic requirements.
