Category Archives: General Information

NSFAS thanks the youth for the 2024 Application Drive

NSFAS applications for 2024 funding have closed and we would like to thank all young people who took part and applied for funding. NSFAS applications opened from 01 August 2024 and remained opened until midnight, 30 November.

“We opened the applications for four months, and in that period we received a total of 267 866 online applications, a quarter of which came through in the last week of applications. We made a promise that our processes will run smoothly, and today we can announce that our online systems did not fail,” said NSFAS CEO Steven Zwane.

To ensure that the application campaign was a success, NSFAS employed more than one hundred graduates as Student Support Officers, partnered with NYDA to have point of presence in key town and cities, capacitated the service centred to enable virtual assistance, improved our online systems and simplified our application form. These key intervention made it easier for those in need of financial assistance to apply for NSFAS bursaries and loans.

The patriotism showed by our employees throughout the period is commendable. We are grateful to the NYDA for their support throughout the campaign. When we approached NYDA about our plans and visions for the 2024 application drive they fully committed to our request and offered their support. We would also like to thank all applicants for the step they have taken to be in control of their futures. NSFAS will evaluate all applications throughout the month of December. Applicants who are in Matric this year and out of school youth, will receive the outcomes of their applications via SMS in January 2024. For NSFAS funded students who will be continuing with their studies in 2024, we will reconcile their academic performance data with their respective institutions for their 2024 funding confirmation which will also be shared via SMS and their respective institutions.

NSFAS is fully committed to providing financial assistance to deserving beneficiaries and will continue to show commitment by improving its services.

“We would like to request all the young people who applied not to change the Cellphone numbers they provided in their application forms because NSFAS will use these numbers to send them the outcomes of their applications in January,” Zwane concluded.

NSFAS would like commend the next generation for taking charge of their own future by applying for financial aid in order to gain access to institutions of higher learning, and for working hard towards attaining the required acceptance. Issued by
Steven Zwane
Chief Executive Officer

Media Enquries:
Phatisa Ntlonze, Media Liaison Officer,
078 144 5980 | media@nsfas.org.za
Cell: 078 144 5980.

SIGN YOUR LAF OR SOP 2024

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

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

Walter Sisulu University NSFAS Details 2024

Walter Sisulu University NSFAS Details 2024

NEW NSFAS ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ ACCESSIBILITY

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has started the roll-out of the Student Centered Model by opening online applications as from Monday, 01 August 2024 until 30 November 2024.

The Student Centered Model is meant to open a direct relationship between NSFAS and its students, from registration phase to completion of their studies. The system will help in alleviating payment delays and new applications for funding every year.
The application requirements are as follows:
• Students who have never received NSFAS funding must apply online
• All students who were previously funded by NSFAS but are not funded in 2024 must apply online
• All students who have signed their Loan Agreement Forms (LAF) or Schedule of Particulars (SOP) for 2024 and are currently receiving NSFAS funding DO NOT HAVE TO REAPPLY. Funding will be granted provided you meet the academic requirements. Academic results from exams, including supplementary exams, will be submitted to NSFAS by WSU. All funded NSFAS students are requested to update their information online. Please log onto www.nsfas.org.za and create the MyNSFAS account to verify your details https://my.nsfas.org.za/sites/selfservice

All paper applications forms can be sent to NSFAS Head Office in Cape Town either by email to apply@nsfas.org.za or Fax 086 644 2822 or by post to: The 2024 Online Applications, NSFAS Loans & Bursaries Department, Private Bag X4, Plumstead, 7801.
The Student Centered Model will ensure that students receive their allowances sooner than in previous years. The allowances will be paid directly to the students.

The deadline for 2024 applications is 30 November 2024
For further details, applicants can contact NSFAS Offices on 0860 067 327 (sharecall) or Website: www.nsfas.org.za

Walter Sisulu University NSFAS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024

Walter Sisulu University NSFAS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024

NSFAS Registration for the 2024 academic year

The purpose of this document is to set out procedures to be followed when students wish to register for the 2024 academic year.

 

NEW STUDENTS:

 

As of 23 January 2024, NSFAS has processed a total of 7 189 applications. The status of these applications are as follows:

Provisionally approved                                         1 413

Unfunded & qualify for funding                            2 387

Awaiting evaluation (2nd round applicants)         3 121

Rejected Poor academic results                                152

Rejected Financially ineligible                                     17

Awaiting Ranking and Funding                                   23

Application withdrawn                                                 33

Application Rejected                                                   43

All new students who have applied and have been provisionally approved by NSFAS may register without payment of the MIP. A list of these students has been supplied by NSFAS and has been made available to Financial Aid Offices.

New Students who applied, qualified but are unfunded will be allowed to register without paying the Minimum Initial Payment (MIP).

All new students who applied for NSFAS between 9 and 20 January 2024 and are awaiting evaluation and are from quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools will be allowed to register without paying the MIP. These students will only be eligible for allowances once NSFAS has assessed their applications.

New students who can provide adequate proof of full bursary funding for 2024 may register without paying the MIP.

New students with only partial bursary funding must pay the MIP as stated below.

All other new students who do not fall in the above categories must pay the MIP.

 

RETURNING STUDENTS:

 

All NSFAS qualifying students who were registered in 2024 and meet the academic progression requirements may be registered for the 2024 academic year. They will be supported through funding from NSFAS. These students do not have to pay the MIP. NSFAS will make an upfront payment to the university in respect of these students.

Students with outstanding debts who are not fully funded for 2024 must, pay the MIP and sign an Acknowledgment of Debt wherein they make a commitment to reduce their debts. All students owing more than R50 000 must pay at least 20% of the outstanding debts. Fees office must review the students fee account and their academic records.

NSFAS has in November and December 2024 made available further funding which covers all students who previously fell into the unfunded/insufficient category. These students have been invited to sign their loan forms. Once these students have signed the forms and they meet the NSFAS academic progression criteria they will be allowed to register without payment of the MIP. These students must sign their 2024 loan application forms before they can be allowed to register.

NSFAS has also agreed that we may submit claims for students with Historic Debt who were not included on the initial list. Once these students have signed the loan form and they meet the academic progression criteria they will be allowed to register without payment of the MIP.

NSFAS students with Historic Debt who do not qualify for the debt relief (eg those who failed, or their fees exceeded the maximum loan, had to pay an own contribution, etc.) must sign an Acknowledgement of Debt to make arrangements to settle those outstanding fees.

Students who can provide adequate proof of full bursary funding for 2024 may register without paying the MIP. If they have Historic Debt they must complete an Acknowledgement of debt wherein they make payment arrangements.

Students with only partial bursary funding must pay the MIP as stated above.

All other students who do not fall in the above categories must pay the MIP.

 

Minimum initial payment (MIP)

 

Council at its meeting in November 2024 has set the MIP for 2024 as follows:

Student not in residence:        R3 900

Students in residence:            R5 540

These amounts are unchanged from 2024.

APPEALS:

Academically deserving students who feel that their personal circumstances have not been properly assessed may appeal to the Executive Director Student Affairs and will be assessed by an Appeals Committee.

Prepared by:

 

 

AJ de Wet

Acting Chief Financial Officer

24 January 2024.

University of Venda NSFAS 2024 Details

University of Venda NSFAS 2024 Details

Students who wish to apply for financial assistance must do so as soon as possible. A National Means Test for NSFAS loans will determine the amount payable by each student. The expected family contribution will differ for individual students, depending on his/her unique circumstances.

The National Means Test will take the following into consideration:

  • Academic performance during the year.
  • Annual family income – supportive documentation needs to be submitted in this regard.
  • Actual cost of study for the academic year.

Applicants will know about the outcome of their applications by the second week after reopening for the first term. Students whose applications are not successful should register with the normal initial amount payable by all other students.

For more info visit http://www.nsfas.org.za

Unisa NSFAS Details 2024

Unisa NSFAS Details 2024

NSFAS loans and bursaries

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a statutory body, funded primarily by the South African National Department of Education and Training, which provides study loans to academically able but financially needy students who wish to study at one of South Africa’s public institutions of higher education.

What is a NSFAS loan?

A NSFAS loan is an award that a student can receive from NSFAS upon applying and qualifying for such loan. This loan has to be repaid with interest (interest of each year is linked to the national inflation rate). A maximum award size is determined for each year by NSFAS. A portion of this award can be converted into a bursary based on academic performance. The size of this bursary is determined by the number of courses which the student has passed. A 100% pass rate will result in a 40% bursary rebate on this NSFAS loan.

NSFAS Loan Criteria:

  • Only South African students studying at public South African Higher Education Institutions;
  • Undergraduate student studying towards a first higher education qualification;
  • Studying for a postgraduate course which is a requirement to practice his/her chosen profession (e.g. Post-graduate Certificate in Education);
  • Any postgraduate degree except, MBA, MBL, DBA or DBL;
  • Student must be able to demonstrate potential for academic success and that he/she is financially needy;
  • Application form has to be fully and correctly completed;
  • All required documentation need to be submitted upon application;
  • Must apply before the closing date as published on the NSFAS webpage www.nsfas.org.za

What is a NSFAS bursary?

A variety of NSFAS bursaries exist, each with its own criteria. A NSFAS bursary is an award that a student receives upon application for such funding. This bursary award does not have to be repaid, if the student however does not wish to adhere to the bursary conditions such bursary is reverted to a loan. This loan will have to be repaid with interest. Please visit the undergraduate bursary page for individual bursary criteria.

NSFAS Post-graduate Loan

This loan has been made available to students studying towards a post-graduate qualification. Students who are financially needy and who are progressing academically can apply for this funding. Closing date for applications: End of September every year.

Please visit www.nsfas.org.za for application.

The Directorate administers donor funds, in the form of study loans and bursaries, according to donors’ criteria. Our main aim is to assist financially needy and academically deserving students. We are proud of the fact that the Directorate has empowered a large number of students from different Colleges and diverse geographical groups. Our vision is to be a beacon of great hope and excellence to our clients.

Our mission is to effectively and efficiently administer all funding at our disposal by ensuring that every stakeholder, particularly students and donors, receive high-quality service from a committed and professional DSF team.

DAC Linguistics bursary:

  • Who can apply:
    Students registered for a BA, BAHons or Masters degree in:

    • African Languages
    • Linguistics
    • Language Practice
  • What does the bursary cover:
    The bursary covers:

    • Tuition
    • Textbooks
    • Academic Essentials
  • When can I apply:
    Applications are currently open. Please download the application form (attached) for completion and submit to:
    DSF-gov@unisa.ac.za

Applications close on 10 January 2024.