The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides funding to disadvantaged students studying at both universities and TVET colleges.
Getting funded by NSFAS does not only cover your tuition fees but will have you receive funding for other needs you have as a student. Some of these allowances include, travelling costs, meal allowances, living allowances, student accommodation and books or other study materials.
NSFAS has reminded applications that the status of their applications will only be communicated via their myNSFAS student portal, and students are encouraged to regularly check the status of their application to stay informed about the funding outcomes.
It is important to note that there are several different NSFAS application status codes that are used. These codes have specific names, so understanding what they mean is crucial.
Here's what your NSFAS application status means
- Application Submitted: This status message means that your application has been loaded on to the NSFAS system successfully.
- Filtering: The system checks if you are a returning student and whether you have any previous qualifications. NSFAS will only fund you for your first qualification. If they find out that you have a qualification already you won't be able to get funding.
- Validation: You will see that status message when NSFAS is conducting third party checks with Sassa and the Department of Home Affairs. They have to confirm if you are a Sassa beneficiary, as this will help your bursary application. If you have any problems with your ID number registration at Home Affairs, it is best to correct that in good time before starting your NSFAS online application form.
- Evaluation: NSFAS is verifying all the documents you have submitted during your application.
- Funding Eligibility: NSFAS is verifying your household financial status that was declared in your application. At the moment, to qualify for NSFAS funding you must come from a household where the annual income is not more than R350,000 from either one or both of your parents. If you as the applicant are living with a disability, the annual household financial earning can be as high as R600,000.
- Awaiting Academic Results/Admission: NSFAS is checking your academic results and your institution admission status to ensure that you meet the requirements to be funded by NSFAS. Many find themselves to stay on this step for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
- Awaiting Registration: NSFAS is receiving data from your institution to enable them to create a bursary agreement. This is another step students find themselves on for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
- Signing Of Agreement: At this stage, you need to sign your bursary agreement so that NSFAS can disburse your allowances.
- Payments: Your allowances are now being paid either through NSFAS mobile wallet system or through your institution. Students are advised to continue to monitor the myNSFAS portal for updates.
What if my application is rejected?
Unfortunately, not everyone may qualify for a Nsfas bursary or students may lose their funding due to academic circumstances. In this case the bursary scheme will reject your application.
However, the appeal functionality on the myNSFAS portal is active and all applicants with unsuccessful application status are encouraged to submit an appeal application before the appeals window closes.
It is important to note that NSFAS applicants who want to appeal will also need to complete and download a relevant propensity letter.
Here are the propensity letters available for download:
- Failure to meet academic eligibility (PDF)
- Appealing N+1 (PDF)
- N+2 students with disability (PDF)
- Registered for 50% or less (final year course credits) to complete (PDF)
The scheme also reminded students that any appeals submitted via email will not be accepted and Nsfas will respond to all appeals within 30 days of them being submitted.
To find out more about the NSFAS bursary, applications and the latest changes, head to our NSFAS page.
