Thousands of students apply annually for NSFAS bursaries and loans to cover tuition fees.
No Funding for Second Certificate or Undergraduate Qualifications
NSFAS has explicitly stated that students who have already obtained a certificate qualification are ineligible for funding to pursue a second certificate. "A student who has achieved a certificate qualification who wants to study on a second certificate qualification," will not be funded, according to the scheme. Similarly, students holding an undergraduate qualification are excluded from receiving NSFAS support for a subsequent undergraduate degree.
Other NSFAS Funding Exclusions
Beyond second qualifications, NSFAS will not fund:
- Students with existing full scholarships, bursaries, or loans from other sources.
- Students enrolled at private institutions.
- Students pursuing unaccredited qualifications.
- Students who fail to meet general NSFAS eligibility criteria.
NSFAS Eligibility Criteria Detailed
Financial eligibility requires a household income below R350,000 per annum, or R600,000 for students with disabilities. Recipients of SASSA Foster Care, Care Dependency, and Child Support grants automatically qualify, provided they meet academic requirements. NSFAS verifies income through third-party data, necessitating applicant consent.
Academic eligibility for returning university students mandates a 60% module pass rate, while TVET College students require a 70% pass rate or subject-specific criteria. National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)) students must pass five subjects, and Report 191 students must pass three.
Students are subject to the N+Rule, limiting funding to one additional year beyond the standard qualification duration. Disabled students receive an N+2 allowance.
