The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) provides comprehensive bursaries to students from poor and working-class backgrounds.
These students must be enrolled in an approved course of study at a public university or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college.
To qualify for a Nsfas bursary, students must not have a household income exceeding R350,000 per annum or R600,000 for students living with a disability. The bursary is available to all South Africans who meet these requirements.
Nsfas received more than one million bursary applications through the scheme’s online application portal for 2023 funding. At least 156,000 students have already been approved for funding in 2023.
While many students will be approved for funding, students whose funding applications were rejected can appeal this decision. If they meet the Nsfas bursary criteria, there is a good chance their rejection will be overturned and receive funding for 2023.
Related Article: How To Login To MyNsfas Student Portal
Unsuccessful Nsfas applicants have until 20 February 2023 to submit an appeal application.
Here’s How To Appeal An Unsuccessful Nsfas Application
Click here to visit the myNSFAS website.
- Log into your myNSFAS account.
- Click the 'Track Funding Progress' option.
- Check the application progress tabs.
- If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, you may submit an appeal by clicking on the 'Submit Appeal Tab'.
- Once you are on the 'Application Appeal' page, you can see the reason for your unsuccessful application status.
- You are then able to choose the appeal reason.
- Upload certified supporting documents to support your reason.
- Click 'Submit Appeal'.
Applicants are also required to download and complete a relevant propensity letter to motivate their reasons for their NSFAS appeal.
Here are the relevant propensity letters:
- Failure to meet academic eligibility (PDF)
- Appealing N+1 (PDF)
- N+2 students with disability (PDF)
- Registered for 50% or less (final year course credits) to complete (PDF)
Once an appeal has been lodged with Nsfas, the bursary scheme will take around 30 days to respond to the appeal.
If an applicant’s appeal is successful, they will receive comprehensive funding for their higher education funding. Nsfas bursaries cover tuition and accommodation fees. Students will also receive a transport allowance, meal allowance and a book allowance.
