The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers crucial financial aid to South African students pursuing higher education. Many students rely on NSFAS bursaries and loans to cover tuition, registration fees, accommodation, food, and learning materials.
With the release of the NSFAS eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid, a key question has been answered: Can I get NSFAS funding if I have a partial bursary from another source?
NSFAS Will Fund Students with Partial External Bursaries
Previously, NSFAS didn't provide funding to students with other bursaries or scholarships. However, this has changed.
Now, NSFAS will consider funding students who have secured partial external bursaries. This is a significant step towards making higher education more accessible. NSFAS has said:
To the extent that these do not cover the full cost of study, NSFAS funding will be considered provided that all eligibility criteria are met.
NSFAS Eligibility Criteria for Partial Bursaries
To qualify for NSFAS funding while holding a partial external bursary, you must meet these key criteria:
- Citizenship: Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Institution: Be registered at a NSFAS-funded public university or TVET college.
- Household Income: Have a combined household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Bursary Value: Your external bursary must not exceed the total cost of your studies.
If you receive a partial bursary from an external source, both you and your institution must inform NSFAS of the funding details within 10 days of receiving it. This is crucial for NSFAS to adjust their funding accordingly.
Any excess funds received must be returned to NSFAS during the reconciliation process.
NSFAS Loans and External Funding
It's important to note that the rules differ for NSFAS loans. Students who have received loans, bursaries (including NSFAS funding), or scholarships from non-NSFAS sources that already cover their full study costs or allowances will not qualify for an NSFAS loan.
NSFAS may demand immediate repayment of an existing NSFAS loan in full, or withhold future loan disbursements, if you receive other financial assistance for the same course of study without NSFAS approval.
NSFAS's decision to support students with partial external bursaries demonstrates a commitment to expanding access to higher education for financially constrained students.
