If your Nsfas application was unsuccessful and you would like to dispute the funding decision, you may appeal in order to get your Nsfas online application reconsidered, and funding instated.
One of the key requirements to qualify for Nsfas funding is that an applicant (who is able-bodied) has a household income of R350 000 per year or less. If it’s found that their household income exceeds R350 000 per year, they would be rejected.
During the appeal process, the scheme will give a list of possible reasons for the application being rejected and if you are able to provide the necessary documentation to prove that you do qualify for funding, Nsfas will then reconsider your application.
In the event, where the scheme rejects your application based on the income threshold, they will only consider your 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/ applicant 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.
- The parents of a student/ applicant are divorced and in terms of the divorce decree, a court has determined that the responsibility for child maintenance, including the responsibility for the cost of education, is restricted to one parent.
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)
All Nsfas appeals can be submitted online via the Nsfas website: https://www.nsfas.org.za/
For more information on bursaries and funding opportunities visit the Bursaries Portal.
