The NSFAS bursary provided to students from poor and working class backgrounds through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is the first step to success for many South Africans.
This bursary covers not only your fees but also registration, books, transport, accommodation and other living costs. You can also get a laptop.
But will you qualify if you attend the University of the Western Cape (UWC)?
NSFAS funds students from all 26 Public Universities and 50 TVET Colleges in South Africa and seeing as UWC falls under these categories, NSFAS will then cover UWC courses. Students will just then need to meet the rest of the criteria which is:
- Household income must come to under R350 000 per year
- If you're a person with a disability, household income must be under R600 000 per year
- Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
Should you be a SASSA beneficiary, excluding the SRD grant, you immediately qualify for funding from NSFAS.
It's also great to know that NSFAS does not have an age limit and will fund you no matter your age, as long as this is your first degree.
NSFAS is a government entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training established according to the NSFAS Act.
