In society today, there are many students that are not fortunate enough to pursue their dreams of studying. “These days, we are all told how important it is to have some qualification, other than a matric certificate”, says Candice Grobler. One of the many options that are available to students is to apply for a student loan.
What is a student loan?
A student loan refers to money that is borrowed from the government or lender to pay for your college tuition fees. The money that has been borrowed has to be paid back with interest over a period of time.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government entity that falls under the Department of Higher Education and Training.
NSFAS offers financial aid to students who cannot afford to pay for their studies at Universities and TVET colleges.
The NSFAS requirements states that those who experience financial constraints which does not allow them to fund their own studies, such as those people who are SASSA recipients qualify for funding from NSFAS.
This is because it indicates that financial assistance is needed.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, better known as NSFAS, offers bursaries to South African students who plan to study at public universities and TVET colleges. They cover funding for registration, tuition and allowances.
The question is, do people with jobs qualify for the bursary?
In the NSFAS requirements it states that those with a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per year qualify for the bursary.
We are here to answer all your NSFAS questions. If you find yourself wondering whether NSFAS will still fund you even if you took a year or two off and they funded you before, we have an answer for you. Don't forget that NSFAS applications are now open.
During a webinar with Careers Portal Live, NSFAS answered this question and said that gap year students, whether that be before you start your qualification or during, will still be funded by NSFAS if they were approved before and qualify.
NSFAS funds many undergraduate students, but what happens once you have your undergraduate qualification? Does NSFAS still lend a helping hand if you decide to do your postgraduate studies?
NSFAS does offer funding to postgraduate students, but only for selected courses. If the postgrad qualification is a professional requirement for employment, then it will be funded.
Only the following postgrad qualifications are funded by NSFAS:
If you're a SASSA recipient wanting to pursue your higher education studies but can't afford it, you might ask yourself: Can I get a bursary?
Well, the answer to this is YES OF COURSE!
Receiving a grant from SASSA indicates to companies and organisation that the prospective bursary recipient is coming from a disadvantaged background. This is because the means test used by SASSA to determine whether a person’s income is low enough to qualify for grants corresponds to the income requirements of bursaries.
One might want the answer to the question: Does NSFAS Fund Part Time Studies? Well, we have the answer for you. NSFAS applications are now open and will close on 30 November. NSFAS offers bursaries for South African students studying at public universities and TVET colleges.
NSFAS provides funding to University students that extends beyond just your fees. Not sure if NSFAS funds the University you're at or plan to go to? Well, now you can find out. Read further.
You need to apply or be studying at a public university to qualify for financial assistance. Students who intend to study at private institutions will not be assisted by NSFAS.
A question that's often asked is: will NSFAS still fund me if I move to another University/TVET College? Well, we have the answer for you. NSFAS applications for 2021 are now open and will close on 30 November 2020.
The answer to this question is: yes, NSFAS will continue funding you.
This question deals with the N+ rule NSFAS has in place. Before NSFAS was changed from a loan scheme to a bursary, the rule was 'N+2' and after the change which came into action in 2018, it was changed to the 'N+1' rule.
Did you know that you have more options and can apply for a NSFAS bursary at Teachers' Centres? Well, now you know. NSFAS has opened their applications for 2021 funding and will close them on the 30th of November.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has now formed a partnership with the Department of Basic Education and this will allow prospective students to apply for a NSFAS bursary at one of the fifteen teachers' centres nationwide.
Dube TradePort’s Bursary Scheme is offering once off bursaries to students who are residents of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and interested in pursuing a tertiary qualification.
Bursaries will be awarded to students studying the following disciplines:
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal will be awarding bursaries to KwaZulu-Natal-residing students, to pursue their studies within the Built Environment sector (National Certificate/ Diploma/ Degree/ Apprenticeship/ other related qualification as approved by the Bursary Committee).
Opportunities to study in Hungary are available through the 2021 Stipendium Hungaricum.
The Hungarian Government is offering 100 scholarships to South Africans to study at participating public universities in Hungarian. The scholarship consists of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD scholarships.
The Municipal Council of Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality invites applications for financial Assistance from well-performing matriculates who wish to further their studies at institutions of high learning.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted – should you not receive feedback within 30 days, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
The MultiChoice 2021 Bursary Scheme is now open and we are looking for driven, accountable and lateral thinkers currently studying towards select degrees.
