The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) remains an essential lifeline for thousands of students who lack the financial means to pursue tertiary education.
The last chance for students enrolled in approved programmes at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to apply for NSFAS funding during the Semester 2 application window has passed and closed, meaning the Trimester 3 application window will soon open.
NSFAS Trimester 3 applications for TVET College students will open on 4 September 2023 and close on 20 September 2023. Students who are yet to submit their applications have been urged to do so to avoid missing the deadline.
NSFAS provides financial aid for students enrolled at either one of South Africa's 26 public universities, or one of the country's 50 TVET colleges.
What NSFAS Covers For TVET Colleges
- Accommodation in an urban area: R24,000 annually
- Accommodation in a peri-urban area: R18,900 annually
- Accommodation in a rural area: R15,750 annually
- Transport (up to 40 km from the institution): R7,350 annually
- Living expenses allowance: R7,000 annually
- Incidental/personal care allowance: R2,900 annually
NSFAS Admission Requirements for TVET students
The NSFAS criteria for TVET students are as follows:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any public TVET College in South Africa
- Must be admitted/received a firm offer for enrolment in a College
- Must be in need of financial assistance
- Applicants will qualify if they fall within the maximum threshold of up to R350 000 of combined gross family income per annum
- Returning students must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance (academically deserving) in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher)
- Must not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded
How To Submit Your NSFAS Funding Application
Applications for the NSFAS bursary must be submitted online through the NSFAS website.
Step 1: Visit the NSFAS website.
Step 2: Click on the 'myNSFAS' tab.
Step 3: Create a myNSFAS account.
Step 4: Click on the 'APPLY' tab and complete the sections on the screen.
Step 5: Upload required supporting documents where applicable.
Step 6: Click on 'Submit'
The walk-in online application platform and assistive capture application platform are also available to students. When using the walk-in online application platform students make use of the college computer lab to submit their applications, whereas college officials apply on behalf of the student through the assistive capture application platform.
What is Needed For NSFAS Applications
TVET college students are required to submit documents to support their NSFAS bursary application.
- Your own cell phone number and email address.
- A copy of your ID or birth certificate.
- ID copies of parents, guardian or spouse (or death certificate where applicable).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Your proof of income or 1 year’s IRP5 (if applicable).
- Your parents, guardian or spouse’s proof of income; if you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required.
- A court order (if applicable).
- Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form.
- An applicant who is recognised as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form.
Students are advised to submit all the necessary supporting documents to avoid any delays in the application process or being rejected by NSFAS.
How To Track Your NSFAS Application
- Visit the NSFAS website.
- Click on the "myNSFAS" tab on the menu bar at the top of the page.
- Login to your myNSFAS account using your username and password.
- Once you are logged in, click on the "track funding progress" option.
- Your application status will be displayed on the screen, indicating whether your application has been approved or not.
The final opportunity for applying for funding will be during Trimester 3 applications.
To find out more about the NSFAS bursary, applications and the latest changes, head to our NSFAS page.