In order to qualify for Nsfas funding, applicants must come from a family with a combined annual household income of not more than R350 000 per annum and in the case of students with a disability, the combined annual household income may not exceed R600 000 per annum.
Once you have completed and submitted your application, Nsfas will verify all the supporting documents provided, including your household proof of income in order to make sure that you fall within the funding eligibility.
The bursary scheme uses the South African Revenue Services (SARS) to check that applicants household income does not exceed the R350 000 or R600 000 threshold.
However, if an applicant’s parent, guardian, or spouse is not registered with SARS, Nsfas will verify the applicants eligibility by checking declared income (income indicated on application) or by doing credit bureau checks.
In some cases, an alternative proof of income documents can be submitted in order to validate the applicants funding eligibility as well.
Alternate proof of income documents that could be provided:
- Certified or official copy of recent payslip, letter of employment, not older than three months, for each parent, or the person who supports you, or your guardian or yourself if you are employed.
- This is for all types of employment or all forms of income for all members of the household. This includes any income received from SASSA grants, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), or any retirement, life, disability, or other benefits paid as a lump sum or in monthly payments.
- If your parents or the person who supports you or your legal guardian are retired, you have to provide a copy of an official pension slip or bank statement showing pension payment.
- If your parents or the person who supports you or your legal guardian works as an informal trader, you have to provide an affidavit signed by them to confirm this employment.
- If either of your parents is deceased, you have to provide a certified copy of the death certificate.
- If your parents are divorced, you have to provide a certified copy of the divorce decree.
- If either of your parents does not live at home, you have to provide an affidavit explaining the reasons.
- Certified copy of a SASSA letter if any of your family members are receiving a social grant and are also contributing to your household income. This also applies to your legal guardian.
- If you have indicated that a dependent in your household is a student, you have to provide proof of registration or acceptance at the TVET college or university for each dependent.
To find out more about bursaries and funding, visit the Bursaries Portal.
