The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a crucial resource for many South African students who require funding to pursue tertiary education. However, not all applicants will be approved for NSFAS funding.

NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This includes money for tuition and registration fees as well as several allowances for food, accommodation and learning materials.

When an NSFAS application is declined, the applicant has the right to appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision. As soon as your application is rejected, you can submit an appeal, signaling to NSFAS that you would like your application to be reconsidered.

2025 NSFAS Appeals Guide

• Exceeding Income Threshold: Students who exceed NSFAS’s income threshold may still appeal if they meet certain criteria. Here are some situations in which an appeal may be considered:

• Change in Household Income: If your household’s financial situation has changed since submitting your NSFAS application—such as a significant reduction in income or the loss of employment for the primary breadwinner—you can appeal by providing evidence of this change.

• Death or Incapacity of Income Contributor: If the primary income provider in your household has become incapacitated or has passed away since your initial application, you may qualify for reconsideration. You’ll need to submit documentation, such as a medical certificate or death certificate, with your appeal.

• Court-Declared Independence: If a court has declared you financially independent from your biological parents, releasing them from the responsibility of covering your educational expenses, you can submit this court order to support your appeal.

• Child-Headed Households: Students from child-headed households can submit an appeal, provided they include supporting documentation from a registered social worker with the Department of Social Development to verify their situation.

• Divorced Parents: If your parents are divorced and a court has legally assigned financial responsibility for your education to only one parent who meets NSFAS’s income criteria, you may qualify for an appeal. A copy of the divorce decree specifying this financial arrangement will be required.

Reasons Your NSFAS Application May Be Rejected

NSFAS uses data from SARS and credit bureaus to verify household income. Appeals are likely to be denied if your income exceeds the threshold of R350,000 (or R600,000 for students with disabilities). Appeals may also be rejected if the income you declared is inaccurate or does not match third-party data from SARS or credit bureaus.

How To Submit A NSFAS Appeal

1. Click here to visit the myNSFAS website.
2. Log into your myNSFAS account.
3. Click the ‘Track Funding Progress’ option.
4. Check the application progress tabs.
5. If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, you may submit an appeal by clicking on the ‘Submit Appeal Tab’.
6. Once you are on the ‘Application Appeal’ page, you can see the reason for your unsuccessful application status.
7. You are then able to choose the appeal reason.
8. Upload certified supporting documents to support your reason.
9. Click ‘Submit Appeal’.

Who Cannot Submit an NSFAS Appeal

• Students registered for qualifications that NSFAS does not fund are not eligible to appeal.
• Applicants may not appeal if they are gap-year students whom NSFAS previously denied financial aid due to not meeting academic eligibility requirements.
• Students cannot appeal if their institution has not submitted their registration record to NSFAS or has submitted an incorrect record. These issues should be addressed with the institution directly.
• Students who have exceeded the N+ rule limit are not eligible to appeal.
• Appeals are subject to budget availability and will only be considered for students who initially applied to NSFAS for financial aid.