The 2023 NSFAS application window was the longest it had been with applications opening on 28 September 2022 and closing on 31 January 2023.
Students who have not yet submitted their applications are encouraged to apply and will receive their application results on 6 February 2023.
Briefing the media on the state of readiness for the post school education and training sector for the 2023 academic year, the Minister revealed that several changes on the academic eligibility criteria for funding by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme were to be implemented this year.
The academic eligibility criteria adjustments include the following:
- First Time Entering Students (FTENs) are expected to achieve a course credit pass rate of 50%.
- Continued funding will be granted to students who maintain a 55% course credit pass rate, instead of the previous 50%.
- Returning students will need to meet the ongoing academic obligations for funding, which are set to be readjusted to have 60% as the course credit pass rate over time.
- The N+ rule for distance-learning students is also set to be reviewed as of 2024.
Furthermore, the Minister also noted:
Let me also indicate that we have had very candid consultation engagements with USAF, SAUS, DVC’s academic and Registrars of universities to determine the 2023 academic progression rates.
With regard to the 2023 NSFAS eligibility criteria for TVET college students, the Minister said additions and refinements in relation to the qualifying criteria have been approved, and these include the following:
- TVET college students studying occupational programmes can only be funded for the cost of tuition for the duration of the qualification.
- TVET college students who are registered on an occupational qualification may qualify for allowances only if in simulated training. It must, however, be noted that students registered on an occupational qualification that has an employment contract do not qualify for NSFAS allowances.
- TVET college graduates will be funded for a university undergraduate qualification regardless of the benefit that they would have derived from the application of the N+ rule at a TVET college level (On condition they did not exceed the TVET N+ Rule).
Nzimande announced that his department was working on a new student funding model, while a funding scheme to address those who formed the missing middle was also being finalised.
