There are many frequently asked questions about funding and how your funding will be affected in different situations and scenarios. Here are a few of the common questions.
Does NSFAS pay the registration costs for first year, and for returning students?
Registration costs are covered by NSFAS and are usually the first payment towards your tutions. The university or TVET college will not expect the student to pay the registration fees upfront.
If I was funded previously, can I apply for funding?
Yes, you may apply during the application period.
Note: If you registered before 2018, the combined household income must not exceed R122 000 per annum. Please note that if you have been registered prior to 2018 your combined household income must not exceed R122 000 per annum.
However, if the first time you registered was in or after 2018, your combined household income must not exceed R350 00 per annum.
What does NSFAS funding cover?
Any specific NSFAS bursary can cover your registration, tuition, and allowances. If a student applies to a university, they may receive additional funding and allowances for books, accommodation, transport and food and personal care. If a student applies to a TVET college, the funding may cover additional costs of transport, accommodation and meals, as well as personal care. The funding is also dependent on whether the student is a student with disabilities. Students with disabilities will receive the funding for either a university or TVET college, as well as extra funding for supporting devices such as specialised computers and devices, additional human support and wheelchairs.
What can I do if I have a university qualification but would like to be funded for a second?
NSFAS does not allow students to be funded for a second university qualification. If a student has completed a qualification at a TVET college, they may apply for funding at a university but cannot be funded at a TVET college again. To be approved for university funding after studying at a TVET college, you need to have passed and completed your TVET qualification. Once the student has been accepted, the university will send the details to NSFAS to confirm the registration and change the student's funding from TVET to university.
Can students with disabilities apply for funding?
All students can apply for funding, and students with disabilities specifically are encouraged to apply for financial assistance. There is a specific disability funding that NSFAS allocates to students with disabilities. For students with disabilities, the household income must not exceed R600 000 per annum.
Are short courses at universities covered by NSFAS?
NSFAS only covers programmes at universities which are whole qualifications, such as degrees and diplomas.
I have a bursary from a different organisation that already partially covers my studies. Can I apply for NSFAS too to cover the rest of the balance needed?
Students may apply for a NSFAS bursary if you have a partial bursary from another source. However, the NSFAS bursary you may receive will not be a full cost bursary and it will not cover the expenses that are already covered by another organisation. The bursary received from NSFAS will be reduced accordingly so that the student is fully supported.
Which institutions does NSFAS offer funding for?
NSFAS only provides funding for public universities, and TVET colleges for students who have been accepted for an approved and funded programme. NSFAS does not provide funding to private colleges or institutions.
Can a student study for 2 qualifications at 2 institutions at the same time?
A student can choose to do this, however, they will only be funded for one qualification at one institution at one time. Read above for if a student from a TVET college wishes to study further at a university.
For semester students, what does NSFAS fund and what is the process of application for them?
NSFAS does not need students to apply every semester or every year since NSFAS funds students for the duration of their studies. If the student meets the academic progression requirements of the year, NSFAS will fund the student for the entirety of their academic year.