The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides bursaries and loans to students who come from poor and working class backgrounds and wish to attend one of South Africa's public higher education institutions. NSFAS funding goes beyond just covering tuition fees as it covers registration, accommodation, transport, learning materials as well as other student needs.
TVET colleges are some of the institutions covered by NSFAS. Academic calendars at TVET Colleges differ when compared to universities and other higher education institutions.
This would then require NSFAS to avail different application periods for TVET College students who are not doing year courses. They have now revealed the 2024 NSFAS application dates for these students.
The opening and closing dates for 2024 NSFAS TVET Walk-In applications are aligned as closely as possible to the TVET academic calendar as issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training Colleges that are participating in the Centres of Specialisation programmes, should encourage participating students to also apply during the available application window.
NSFAS Releases 2024 Application Dates For TVET Colleges
The 2024 NSFAS application dates for TVET Colleges are as follows:
- Trimester 2 to open from 13 May 2024 and close on 31 May 2024
- Semester 2 to open from 9 July 2024 and close on 26 July 2024
- Trimester 3 to open from 2 September 2024 and close on 20 September 2024
Students should apply for the relevant academic cycle which they intend to register in, said NSFAS.
How NSFAS Applications Will Work For TVET College Students
NSFAS has made it clear that the method of application for all 2024 remaining cycles will be the same as the one which was used by students to apply for NSFAS funding for the first cycle of 2024. This then means that students should apply using the NSFAS website on the myNSFAS portal when applications open.
Students can also head to the financial aid office at their respective colleges for assistance with NSFAS applications.
NSFAS Requirements For TVET College Students
If you're a TVET College student wanting to apply for NSFAS funding, here are the NSFAS requirements for you:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme
- Must be in need of financial assistance (NSFAS will determine whether or not a student meets the financial eligibility criteria)
- Returning students must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance (academically deserving) in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher)
- Students must comply with the N+Rule
- Must not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded
- Applicants will qualify if they fall within the maximum threshold of up to R350,000 of combined gross family income per annum and are admitted/received a firm offer for enrolment in a College.
Its important to note that a NSFAS bursary may only be awarded to students progressing to the next NC(V) level if they passed at least five subjects in the previous NC (V) level. A bursary may only be awarded to students progressing to the next Report 191 level if they passed a minimum of three subjects in the previous N-Level.
