Dreaming of getting a degree but worried about funding? The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) can help!
They offer bursaries and loans to deserving students enrolled in approved programs at public universities or TVET colleges. Don't just get by on textbooks – NSFAS allowances can cover things like food and accommodation, making your studies smoother.
While many students apply for NSFAS funding each year, not everyone gets approved. But don't give up just yet!
If your NSFAS application gets rejected, you can appeal the decision. There are different reasons why you might be able to appeal, and the process involves submitting documents like medical certificates, transcripts, or payslips to support your case.
A student must submit an appeal within 30 days of receiving their application results. To submit an appeal, he or she must first log in to his or her myNSFAS profile and provide the requested information.
Here Are The Appeal Reasons For NSFAS
Exceeding the R350,000 income threshold can be a hurdle for NSFAS funding. But if your family's financial situation has recently changed, there's still a way forward! You can appeal the NSFAS decision by providing evidence of these changes.
This could include documents showing a drop in income or unexpected expenses that significantly impact your ability to afford studies.
Income Thresholds NSFAS Appeal Reasons
- Students can submit an appeal if the financial circumstances of their household have changed since the submission of their application and evidence of this is provided to NSFAS.
- Students can provide evidence that their household income is indeed below the threshold.
- A key contributor to their household income has become incapacitated or is deceased since the submission of their application.
- The student has been declared independent of their biological parents by a court and the court has determined that the parents are not responsible for the student’s/applicant’s maintenance, including the cost of his/her education.
- The student/applicant is from a child-headed household and this is substantiated by a report from a social worker registered with the Department of Social Development.
Similarly, appeals for academic eligibility demand documentation of extenuating circumstances like severe illness, family bereavement, or disability.
Academic Eligibility NSFAS Appeal Reasons
- Students can submit an appeal if they are a continuing student who was not full-time equivalent (FTEN) or full-time funded (FTF) student in their previous academic term of study; AND
- The student’s failure to complete their academic term successfully is due to severe ill health for an uninterrupted period of two or more months of the academic term or during examinations, or there has been death in his/her immediate family during the academic term, or the student was the subject of a violent crime, or the student was pregnant and gave birth during the academic term, and the institution has evaluated the student and completed the NSFAS standard propensity letter confirming the student will complete their qualification within an additional academic term; OR
- The student with a disability must submit a medical report indicating that the student failed to complete their academic term due to the nature of their disability and the institution
- The student can provide evidence that the academic results received by NSFAS are incorrect.
- A continuing student who was an FTEN or FTF student in their previous academic term of study does not need to appeal as the student will automatically be funded for their next academic term, provided that all other eligibility criteria are met.
Students no longer meeting the N+ Rule may also appeal under specific conditions, such as severe health issues, disability, or nearing qualification completion.
N+ Rule NSFAS Appeal Reasons
- The student’s failure to complete their academic term successfully is due to severe ill health for an uninterrupted period of two or more months of the academic term or during examinations, or there has been a death in his/her immediate family during the academic term, or the student was the subject of a violent crime, or the student was pregnant and gave birth during the academic term, OR
- A student with a disability and a medical report indicates that the student failed to complete their academic term due to the nature of their disability and the institution has evaluated that the student has the propensity to complete their qualification within the additional academic term.
- The student is a university student who can prove that he/she has 50% or less final year course credits to complete and achieve his/her qualification and the institution has evaluated that the student has the propensity to complete their qualification within an additional academic term. University students who fall into this category will be funded similarly to distance university students, provided that their appeal is successful; OR
- The TVET student who can prove that he/she has two or fewer subjects left to complete their Report 191 qualification or three or fewer subjects to complete their NC(v) Qualification and the institution has evaluated that the student has the propensity to complete their qualification within an additional academic term. TVET students who fall into this category will be funded similarly to distance TVET students, provided that their appeal is successful; AND
In situations where a student has not been allowed to progress academically by an institution, appeals about this must be directed at the institution.
Appeals from students who were rejected for financial aid by NSFAS due to data or information errors submitted by them will only be considered if
- The error does not relate to an error in the ID number, first name, or surname of the student entered on the application – students must submit their correct identity details as it appears on their ID documentation. Failure to do so will result in applications being rejected. Should the application window still be open, students may reapply for funding.
- The student provided sufficient evidence that the data or information submitted was indeed incorrect.
It's crucial to understand that appeals cannot be lodged for qualifications not funded by NSFAS or if certain progression limits have been reached.
Failure to provide adequate evidence or validate supporting documentation within the stipulated time frames may lead to appeal rejection.
NSFAS Appeals
Submitting the right documents is key to winning your NSFAS appeal. They can check everything, so affidavits alone won't cut it. If you qualify to appeal, you can do it all online through your myNSFAS account.
Just upload those strong supporting documents and hit submit! NSFAS usually responds within 30 days, and you can track the progress right there in your account.
There are a few situations where appeals aren't possible, like if your chosen programme isn't funded by NSFAS or if you've already received funding for the maximum allowed time (N+2 for most students, N+3 for students with disabilities).
