Every year, thousands of South African students dream of pursuing higher education. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays a crucial role in making this dream a reality by providing bursaries and loans to those who can't afford tuition.
However, understanding NSFAS eligibility criteria is essential to avoid disappointment. This article breaks down who qualifies for NSFAS funding and, importantly, who doesn't.
Who Does NSFAS Fund?
NSFAS primarily supports students pursuing their first undergraduate qualification at public universities or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa.
This means that NSFAS won't fund students who already have an undergraduate qualification. NSFAS has made the following clear:
A student who has achieved an undergraduate qualification who wants to study on a second undergraduate qualification.
Who Does NSFAS NOT Fund?
Navigating NSFAS funding can be complex. Here's a clear breakdown of situations where NSFAS will not provide financial aid:
- Second Undergraduate Qualifications: If you've already earned an undergraduate degree, NSFAS will not fund a second one.
- Second Certificate Qualifications: Similarly, students who have completed a certificate qualification are ineligible for funding for another certificate.
- Alternative Funding: If you have a full scholarship, bursary, or loan from another source that covers all your study costs and allowances, you won't qualify for NSFAS.
- Private Institutions: NSFAS only funds students at public universities and TVET colleges.
- Unaccredited Qualifications: Your chosen qualification must be accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
- Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria: All applicants must meet the specific NSFAS eligibility requirements.
NSFAS Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for NSFAS funding, you must meet both financial and academic criteria.
Financial Eligibility
- Household Income: Your household income must be below R350,000 per year.
- Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities may qualify with a household income of up to R600,000 per year.
- SASSA Grant Recipients: Beneficiaries of SASSA Foster Care, Care Dependency, and Child Support grants automatically meet the financial criteria if they are academically eligible and registered.
- Income Verification: NSFAS verifies income using third-party data, requiring accurate consent from applicants.
Academic Eligibility
- University Students: Returning university students must pass at least 60% of their modules.
- TVET College Students: Returning TVET college students need a 70% pass rate or must meet subject-specific requirements.
- NC(V) Students: National Certificate Vocational students must pass five subjects.
- Report 191 Students: Report 191 students must pass three subjects.
- N+Rule: Students cannot exceed the N+Rule, which allows one additional year of funding beyond the standard duration of their qualification.
- Students with disabilities N+2 rule: Students with disabilities qualify for N+2.
While NSFAS provides invaluable financial support to countless South African students, its limitations, particularly regarding second qualifications and specific institutional requirements, are essential to acknowledge.
