Category Archives: Bursaries / Scholarships In South Africa

SIGN YOUR LAF OR SOP 2024

Our aim:

To transform NSFAS into an efficient and effective provider of financial aid to students from poor and working class families in a sustainable manner that promotes access to, and success in, higher and further education and training, in pursuit of South Africa’s national and human resource development goals.

Sign your Loan Agreement Form (LAF) or Schedule of Particulars (SOP) Online

STEP 1: Click here to sign your LAF or SOP online
STEP 2: Enter your ID Number and click on the search button
STEP 3: Once you have clicked on the search button you will receive your One Time Pin (OTP) either as an email or SMS.
Please note that if you are a minor under the age of 18 at the time your LAF or SOP is ready to be signed online then your legal guardian or parent will receive the OTP and will need to follow steps 4 – 9
STEP 4: Enter the OTP* sent to you from NSFAS * If you have not received a OTP click the resend OTP button
STEP 5: Click on the login button
STEP 6: Read the LAF or SOP by clicking on the folder icon
STEP 7: Enter your cellphone number and email address
STEP 8: Agree to the funder terms and conditions by clicking on the checkbox
STEP 9: Click on the submit button
A One Time Pin (OTP) is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that NSFAS will send only once to your cellphone number to confirm that you are the person logging in to accept the LAF or SOP

NSFAS funds nearly 300 000, expects to admit more for the class of 2024

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has approved funding to at least 291 747 students who applied for financial assistance for 2024, and expects to increase this record pool by 17 February 2024, which will be a closing date for TVET college applications. The majority of the students are already registered at universities, while the registration for TVET colleges is still underway.

Briefing the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, today in Parliament, Board Chairperson, Sizwe Nxasana said more than 180 944 of these students are at universities while 110 803 are TVET college students. Of the 180 944 university students, 71 098 are new students while 109 846 are returning students.

“While the closing date for application for financial assistance at the TVET colleges is 17 February, already 15 375 new students and 95 428 of returning students in the TVET colleges have been approved,” Nxasana said.

NSFAS management has acknowledged the delays in communicating the outcome of results to some of the students, and said the delays could be attributed to a number of challenges, including the changes in last year’s academic calendars at some institutions and a significant number of applications that had missing supporting documents.

Overall, 9 976 applications were unsuccessful due to financial ineligibility, as they were categorised within the “missing-middle” category. However, these students may appeal the decision. Details of the appeal process are on the NSFAS website – www.nsfas.org.za.

Issued by:

Kagisho Mamabolo
NSFAS Spokesperson

Enquiries: Media Liaison Office
Mr Tsepo Khanye, 079 348 0894 or 021 763 3200
Mr Siphe Matomela, 074 851 5277
Email: media@nsfas.org.za

R1.3 Billion Upfront Payments to Universities For Registration

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has paid R1, 3 billion to 26 public universities, a figure set aside to advance payment of registration fees for students from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they can be admitted for their studies.

This payment equates to at least 15% of total and final budget that each university may get for enrolling students, who are eligible for government funding when a final reconciliation of the numbers of enrolled students is confirmed at the end of the registration period.

NSFAS spokesperson, Kagisho Mamabolo says they expect universities to work with them to ensure that registration of funded students goes as smooth as possible because government has confirmed funding.

“All returning students, who were funded in 2024, should not panic as they will automatically be funded in 2024 without having to apply for financial aid, provided they have signed the agreement form for financial assistance and they have passed at least 50% of their enrolled modules”.

Over 160 000 students have been approved for funding, and NSFAS is confident that there will not be any student turned away, who has secured space, because of lack of funding.

“We expect that our students will be treated fairly and not be discriminated against based on their backgrounds,” he said.

While there are still some students who have not received confirmatory SMSes from NSFAS, Mr Mamabolo has reassured the public, saying “the Scheme will continue to approve more students every day and is expected to finalise all applications by close of business on 27 January 2024”.

Applications for funding for university students are now officially closed, and there will be no extension, while TVET college students still have until midnight 14 February 2024 to submit their applications.

NSFAS management is expected to address the nation on the 2024 financial aid statistics awarded to students at universities and TVET colleges, by next week.

Issued by

Marketing and Communications Department
23 January 2024, Cape Town

Media Liaison Office:
Mr Tsepo Khanye, 079 348 0894 or 021 763 3200
Mr Siphe Matomela, 074 851 5277
Email: media@nsfas.org.za

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