The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a government based bursary, which provides young South Africans with the opportunity to study at any public university or TVET college. Transitioning from high school to tertiary institutions can be quite challenging for many students and with the added pressure of paying tuition fees, it could make the student's life more difficult.
Which is where NSFAS comes in, they provide students with the piece of mind that they can study without worrying about how they will pay their fees. In the past, only those who are were able to afford the fees were able to attend universities or colleges, however, NSFAS allows those who are underprivileged to receive the same opportunities. The question is, do you qualify for a bursary even though you have a job?
NSFAS Earnings Threshold
NSFAS requirements, state that if your combined household income is less than R350 000 per year then you do qualify for the bursary. Although this is the requirement, there are some students who may exceed the R350 000 mark, however, still can not afford to pay for the high tuition fees.
These students are labelled as the 'missing middle'. NSFAS understands that there are these students who are 'missing middle' and as a result, they are working with the government to look into how they can assist in providing these students with funding.
If you would like to apply, here is a list of their requirements: You need to be a South African citizen. Provide a certified copy of your household income in the form of pay advice, not older than 3 months. Provide a certified copy of a letter of employment or pension advice, not older than 3 months. If you are a SASSA grant recipient, you qualify for funding.
Applicants With A Disability
A person with a disability that has a combined household income of R600 000 or less per year, qualifies for the bursary.
Once NSFAS has received confirmation from the tertiary institution that an academic offer has been made to you, then you will receive communication about your application status.
Once you have been approved for funding from NSFAS, the only requirement to stay funded is that you need to pass your modules. However, if something unfortunate does happen, NSFAS allows you to fail one year and still receive funding.
For more information on NSFAS bursaries, visit their website www.nsfas.org.za
