On Tuesday the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) opened applications for funding for the 2022 academic year.
NSFAS funds students from poor and working class homes around South Africa. They provide crucial financial support for students wanting to attend public universities and TVET colleges but dont have the means to pay for the high costs of tertiary education.
If you have an annual combined household income of less than R350 000 per annum or less than R600 000 for students with disabilities, then you qualify for NSFAS.
In order to apply for NSFAS funding, you will first need to create a NSFAS account. You start the process of creating an account by clicking HERE. All you require to create an account is your ID number, cell phone number, email address and a copy of your ID.
NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo explained that providing your cell phone number is important. This is because when you register, you will receive a one time pin (OTP) needed to activate your account.
He has reminded students that you can apply for NSFAS funding even if you have not yet secured a place at a university or a TVET college.
Mamabolo explains that the cohort system gives the scheme an opportunity to communicate with students immediately around their funding. In the past, NSFAS would only communicate with students once the application dates closed.
The first cohort is first time students who are beneficiaries of a SASSA grant. If you appear on the SASSA database for receiving a grant, you will automatically qualify for funding.
The second cohort is made up of returning students who are applying for NSFAS for the first time. They are also SASSA grant beneficiaries.
The third cohort is made up of first time students who have not received a SASSA grant. These students will have to submit supporting documents when applying for funding.
The fourth cohort is returning students who are not SASSA grant beneficiaries.
The fifth cohort is students who have disabilities.
The closing date for NSFAS applications is 7 January 2022.
