On Tuesday afternoon, the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande finally made the announcement we've all been waiting for. Here's when applications for bursaries from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will open for 2023.
Nzimande made the announcement by saying:
This afternoon, I am therefore pleased to be announcing that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS as we call it in short, 2023 application season will open tomorrow, the 28th of September 2022.
For the 2022 academic year, NSFAS spent R43 billion on funding for students. This includes paying for NSFAS allowances such as for transport and accommodation.
NSFAS applications can be submitted online by using myNSFAS, which prospective students will be able to access on 28 September.
In efforts to make applying for NSFAS easier and more accessible, the scheme will be providing applicants with more options when it comes to how to apply. These include through a USSD code, a new mobile app and through WhatsApp.
Not only will applicants be able to apply using these platforms, they will also be able to track their NSFAS application and cancel it as well.
Earlier this month, NSFAS explained that they recently conducted a testing exercise to test the readiness of their application system for the 2023 academic year application period. It was that a group of students took the opportunity to submit a funding application during the testing exercise.
NSFAS has made it clear that these students will not need to reapply when the 2023 NSFAS application period opens.
