Once you have submitted your application for NSFAS funding you will be interested to know whether your application has been approved. Some people find that their applications are approved quite quickly, others have to submit supporting documents, or have to wait quite a long time until they get the results of their application.
Checking on your NSFAS Status
You need to check on the status of your NSFAS application in case you do need to give them more information or upload and supporting documents.
NSFAS is the most popular of all the bursaries you can get - and for good reason. It covers the costs of study fees but also can cover your student accommodation with meals, pays you a living allowance, book or laptop allowance and maybe even a travel allowance.
The exact allowance will depend on where you are studying and where you live, but what is always the same is that you don't have to pay the NSFAS bursary back. You might have heard that some people have to pay back their NSFAS but that is in terms of the old rules. People who take NSFAS now for the first time, don't have to pay anything back.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is by far the largest bursary scheme in the country so it really is important to check on the status of your NSFAS application. The N+1 rule means that even if you don't pass one year and end up taking a year longer to finish your degree, you will still be funded by NSFAS.
The financial assistance provided by NSFAS has helped millions of students obtain their tertiary education qualifications. Although there are sometimes complaints about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the majority of students who they fund do not have any problems.
A recent article on NSFAS financial assistance reported that over 60% of university students and 90% of students at TVET Colleges are funded by a NSFAS bursary. And the first step is a make a NSFAS online application. The NSFAS application system works from the MyNSFAS student portal. This is where you will login to check on the status of your NSFAS application.
What does NSFAS cover? Is it just tuition fees?
NSFAS applicants should know that as well as their tuition fees the NSFAS bursary will also help them cover their accommodation costs.
There are additional rules about who qualifies for financial assistance for their accommodation. This is usually determined by how far you live from the varsity or college you will be attending.
You will specify with you NSFAS application status where you live so they will know how far you are from the campus where you still study.
Depending on whether you are a TVET College or varsity student there are also different rules about the living allowance you will receive with your NSFAS bursary. This is because TVET Colleges normally provide text books for their students - while universities require students to purchase their own text books.
How Are Allowances Paid To Students
Allowances are paid to students through the NSFAS bank account. Students must register with the service provider allocated to their institution to access their NSFAS bank account and receive their NSFAS bank card.
NSFAS Login
If you have applied for NSFAS funding you should check on your NSFAS application status to make sure that they have all of your supporting documents. NSFAS applications have to be completed before the closing date via the NSFAS portal to qualify for the NSFAS allowance and tuition payments.
You need to login to your NSFAS account to check your NSFAS funding process and check the status of your NSFAS application. Checking NSFAS status is very important as they will communicate with you via the MyNsfas portal to tell you if you need to provide any additional information.
In order to access your NSFAS application status login to myNSFAS, the NSFAS website portal for students. These are the steps to take:
- Login on the myNSFAS student portal. This will be your main NSFAS login point.
- Enter your username and password on the NSFAS website and then click SIGN IN!
- Click on 'Track Funding Progress' to check NSFAS application status.
NSFAS Status Check
Once you have followed these three easy steps, you will be able to see whether you have NSFAS funding by performing a NSFAS status check on the NSFAS website.
It may take some time for your application to be successful, so please be patient when you check your NSFAS status. You might also need to check your NSFAS application status a number of times.
Track Funding Progress
It is very important to track the progress of your application for funding using the NSFAS status checking tools. You need to make sure your application doesn't fall through the cracks.
As NSFAS deals with so many applications each year, it happens in a small percentage of applications that there are problems and admin errors. You don't want that to be you!
If you do a Nsfas status check and then find out that there is a problem with your application, you can submit a Nsfas appeal. This explains why a NSFAS status check is so important.
Status Check NSFAS
Remember that your NSFAS funding application and your application to study at university or college differ. So make sure you are also concentrating on your study application and provide all the information that they need to complete the application. You have to check your Nsfas application status, but also your study application.
If you need to stay in res you must also make that application in good time. So you need to keep an eye on your NSFAS application status and your academic status.
NSFAS Application status
Understanding what you're reading when you need to be checking NSFAS application status is very import, as detailed above under 'status check NSFAS'.
There are many different NSFAS application status codes that are used and they have specific names. You will often see them on the NSFAS website. Here's what your NSFAS application status means.
Application Submitted:
This status message means that your application has successfully loaded onto the NSFAS system
Filtering:
The system checks if you are a returning student and whether you have any previous qualifications. NSFAS will only fund you for your first qualification so if they find out that you have a qualification already you won't be able to get funding from them.
Validation:
You will see that status message on the NSFAS website when NSFAS is conducting third party checks with SASSA and the Department of Home Affairs. They have to confirm if you are a SASSA beneficiary as this will help your bursary application.
If you have any problems with your ID number registration at Home Affairs it is best to correct that in good time before starting your NSFAS online application form.
Evaluation:
If you see this on the NSFAS website, it means that NSFAS verifies all the documents you submitted during your application.
Funding Eligibility:
NSFAS is verifying your household financial status that was declared in your application. At the moment to qualify for NSFAS funding you must come from a household where the annual income is not more than R350,000 from either one or both of your parents.
If you as the applicant are living with a disability the annual household financial earning can be as high as R600,000.
Awaiting Academic Results/Admission:
NSFAS is checking your academic results and your institution admission status to ensure that you meet the requirements to be funded by NSFAS.
Many find themselves to stay on this step for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
Awaiting Registration:
NSFAS is receiving data from your institution to enable them to create a bursary agreement. This is another step students find themselves on for a while. This is because NSFAS has to wait for information from your chosen institution.
Signing Of Agreement:
At this stage, you need to sign your bursary agreement so that NSFAS can disburse your allowances.
Payments:
Your allowances are now being paid through the NSFAS mobile wallet system or your institution. Students are advised to continue to monitor the myNSFAS portal for updates.
How To Submit A NSFAS Appeal
- Log into your “MyNSFAS" account on the NSFAS website. 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
- Then upload certified required documents to support your reason
- Then click 'Submit Appeal.'
- You may now track the progress of the appeal on your myNSFAS account.
Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and have uploaded all the supporting documents before applying or submitting your appeal.
Eligibility Criteria For NSFAS Funding
- A combined household income of less than R350,000 per annum
- Have you met the admission criteria for the institution you have applied at
- Acceptance to study at a registered South African university, public college or TVET college
- Be a South African citizen.
- Sassa grant recipients immediately qualify for NSFAS funding.
- If you are a student with a disability, your household income may not exceed R600,000 annually.
- If you are a continuing student, you must meet the necessary academic requirements for continued funding.
NSFAS identifies eligible students through the means test.
Household financial status
It is important to remember that the current rule for NSFAS is that you only qualify if the family you come from has a combined household income of no more than R350,000
However, if you, as the applicant, are living with a disability, there is additional support for you with a more generous household income threshold.
In your case, the annual financial income can be as high as R600,000, and you will still qualify for NSFAS.
Which Service Provider Must Students Register With
Tenet Technologies
Tenet Technologies will provide services to students at the Cape Peninsula University Of Technology, University Of KwaZulu Natal, University of Venda, University of Pretoria, University of Witwatersrand and Walter Sisulu University.
Coinvest
Students attending Rhodes University, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of Mpumalanga and University of South Africa must register with Coinvest
Norraco
Norraco has been tasked with paying allowances directly to students enrolled at the Central University Of Technology, Mangosuthu University Of Technology, Nelson Mandela University, North West University, University Of Fort Hare, University Of Johannesburg And University Of Western Cape.
Ezaga
Ezaga will distribute allowances to students registered at Durban University Of Technology, Tshwane University Of Technology University Of Free State University Of Limpopo University Of Zululand and the Vaal University Of Technology.
History of NSFAS
NSFAS is a South African government-funded organisation that provides financial aid to eligible students who cannot afford tertiary education.
Its goal is to promote access to higher education for disadvantaged students to create a more equal society. A NSFAS application has been the start of many young people vastly improving their prospects.
Since its establishment in 1991, NSFAS has assisted countless students in pursuing their dreams of higher education, and continues to play an important role in providing financial assistance and supporting education in South Africa.
The organisation was originally called the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa but this was changed in 1999 to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. The financial aid available has increased from about R700m when it started to over R6 billion in 2022.
This increased funding to support the ANC government's pledge of fee-free education for poor South Africans has meant that over 700,000 students were funded in the last year.
NSFAS is available to fund students for their first qualification after Matric.
Do NSFAS Fund Postgraduate Studies?
As of the 2021 academic year, NSFAS announced they would no longer provide funding for postgraduate courses. This includes postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, s and PhD degrees.
If you want to go on to do a postgraduate qualification you will need to look to other sources of funding. The National Research Foundation or the NRF is the most common funder of second, third and later qualifications.
We hope you have found this article about how to check on your NSFAS status helpful. If you need to appeal when you are declined then you should read our article:
How to Check Your NSFAS Appeal Status
NSFAS Contact Details
National Student Financial Aid Scheme, a government bursary fund for students through the. We have the NSFAS contact details for you.
NSFAS application and registration opens in the later part of the year for eligible students with the NSFAS closing date usually being in the next calendar year.
NSFAS gives bursaries to students from poor and working class backgrounds which goes beyond just paying for your fees. They'll also pay for your registration, accommodation, transport, books through NSFAS allowances.
Cape Town City Centre
The physical address of the NSFAS head office and contact centre is in the Cape town City centre. However applicants or returning students don't have to attend the centre in person. You can register an account on the MyNsfas website - just make sure you remember your Nsfas login details.
NSFAS Email Address and Other NSFAS Contact Details
Applicants or returning students can contact NSFAS via the contact center Toll free number 08000 67327 on Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 17:00.
You can also contact them via their email address [email protected].
These are the details you need for NSFAS wallet enquiries.
FAQs About NSFAS
1. Can I apply for NSFAS if I'm already a university student?
Yes, students already enrolled at a university or TVET college can apply for NSFAS funding, provided they meet the qualifying criteria.
2. Does NSFAS fund postgraduate studies?
NSFAS funding is typically for undergraduate courses. Some postgraduate qualifications, like PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education), may be funded based on the availability of funds and the field of study.
3. What happens if I fail some modules, will NSFAS continue to fund me?
NSFAS may continue to fund you, but it depends on the NSFAS policy at the time. Typically, you need to pass a certain percentage of your modules to continue receiving funding.
4. When do I need to reapply for NSFAS?
Students need to reapply for NSFAS each academic year within the specified application period.
5. Can NSFAS fund me if I'm studying part-time?
NSFAS does not typically fund part-time students at universities. However, some part-time students at TVET colleges may be eligible for funding, subject to meeting other qualifying criteria.
6. What does NSFAS funding cover?
NSFAS provides coverage for various student necessities, including tuition fees, accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials.
7. Is NSFAS a loan or a bursary?
Since 2018, NSFAS has been converted into a bursary scheme for qualifying students, which means it does not need to be repaid. Before that, it functioned as a loan system.
