The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides comprehensive bursaries to South African students enrolled in approved programmes at public tertiary institutions. This includes bursaries for university students and bursaries for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students.
Students enrolled in approved programmes at TVET colleges have less than 24 hours to apply for a NSFAS bursary as semester 2 applications closes today. Students can apply for NSFAS funding as the bursary scheme opened semester 2 applications last month.
Submitting A Nsfas Application
Students must submit their NSFAS application online on the NSFAS website. In order to apply, students are required to create a profile on the myNSFAS system.
NSFAS has urged students to ensure they complete their application. This is because many students have created a myNSFAS account and considered their application completed. However, this is not the whole application process.
The method of NSFAS applications for all 2023 remaining cycles remains the same as the one which was utilised by students to apply for NSFAS funding for the 1st cycle of 2023, meaning the students will apply for themselves online through the NSFAS website.
How To Submit A NSFAS Application
Applications for the NSFAS bursary must be submitted online through the NSFAS website.
Step 1: Visit the NSFAS website.
Step 2: Click on the 'myNSFAS' tab.
Step 3: Create a myNSFAS account.
Step 4: Click on the 'APPLY' tab and complete the sections on the screen.
Step 5: Upload required supporting documents where applicable.
Step 6: Click on 'Submit'
The walk-in online application platform and assistive capture application platform are also available to students. When using the walk-in online application platform students make use of the college computer lab to submit their applications, whereas college officials apply on behalf of the student through the assistive capture application platform.
What's Needed For NSFAS Applications
TVET college students are required to submit documents to support their NSFAS bursary application. Here is everything needed for TVET college applications.
- Your own cell phone number and email address.
- A copy of your ID or birth certificate.
- ID copies of parents, guardian or spouse (or death certificate where applicable).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Your proof of income or 1 year’s IRP5 (if applicable).
- Your parents, guardian or spouse’s proof of income; if you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required.
- A court order (if applicable).
- Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form.
- An applicant who is recognised as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form.
Successful NSFAS Applicants
Students who are approved for NSFAS funding don’t have to worry about tuition or registration fees as NSFAS will pay it. They will also receive several allowances to cover costs while they study.
How Much Are NSFAS Allowances For TVET Colleges?
- Accommodation in an urban area: R24,000 annually
- Accommodation in a peri-urban area: R18,900 annually
- Accommodation in a rural area: R15,750 annually
- Transport (up to 40 km from the institution): R7,350 annually
- Living expenses allowance: R7,000 annually
- Incidental/personal care allowance: R2,900 annually
Can University Students Apply For The NSFAS Bursary In Semester 2?
University students cannot submit NSFAS bursary applications during the Semester 2 bursary application period. The semester two NSFAS application period is exclusively available to students enrolled at TVET colleges.
