NSFAS 2024 Guide: Online Application | Status Check | Requirements

NSFAS 2024: Online Application | Status Check | Requirements - How it Works 

All about NSFAS in 2024, and how it works to get funding and pursue a career in university or college.

Learn how to submit your online application, and check status and funding requirements.

Furthering your studies is a great way of securing your future and succeeding in life. However, higher institutions of learning can be expensive. But with Student Aids like NSFAS around, studying further is possible. 

In today’s post, we will give you a rundown of how to get started with NSFAS.

Let’s dive right into it.

What is NSFAS and How Does It Work?

NSFAS is a financial aid scheme that caters to young South Africans who want to pursue their studies after matric but do not have the means to do so. NSFAS steps in by paying for their tuition and registration fees, along with other fees such as:

• Accommodation

• Transport

• Food 

• Personal Care

• Studying material costs

Now for the how it works part. Depending on what you qualify for, NSFAS will either fund you as a bursary or offer you a loan if you are eligible for one. 

Students who are eligible for the NSFAS bursary do not have to pay it back. While students who are offered the NSFAS loan option, have to pay back the money once they start working.

Those who apply for the NSFAS loan scheme will pay up to a maximum of 8% of their annual salary. 

You can learn more here NSFAS FAQS about the loan repayment and how much you'll be expected to pay.

Requirements for Funding

NSFAS has its criteria for whom it funds. These are the requirements for students who intend to study at college or university:

• Must be a South African citizen / permanent resident

• Combined gross household income should not exceed R350 000 per annum

• Combined gross household income (persons living with disabilities) should not exceed R600 000 per annum

• SASSA recipients automatically qualify for financial eligibility

• Must have email and cell phone number

Requirements to be met for the NSFAS Loan Scheme:

•  Students whose annual household income is between R350 000-R600 000; 

•  TVET and University (public) students; 

•  Undergraduate or postgraduate students;

•  70% Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs (which may be adjusted to include commercial programs that are in demand in the labor market or entrepreneurial programs); 

•  30% Social Sciences programmes; and 

•  Students who are willing to sign a loan agreement.

Required documents to have when applying for NSFAS:  

• Copy of student ID / Birth certificate

• Copy of parent/s or guardian/ spouse ID

• Smart card: both sides of the card required

• Proof of income (where applicable)

• Persons living with disability (Disability Annexure A form)

• An applicant who is recognized as a vulnerable child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and Vulnerable Child Declaration form completed by a social worker

• An applicant who has indicated that s/he has no family member details and or abridged birth certificate must complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA

The documents needed to be uploaded may differ from applicant to applicant and will be based on the application type, as students aren’t from similar backgrounds. Nor do they share the same circumstances.  

NSFAS does not accept any affidavits or driver's license as proof of ID. So you have to upload your actual ID. 

Is NSFAS a Loan or Bursary in 2024?

Depending on what requirements you meet. NSFAS can either be a bursary, meaning you do not have to repay anything. Or it can be a loan, which you have to repay once you have found a job after studying.

When is NSFAS Opening for 2024?

Unfortunately, NSFAS applications for 2024 are now closed. However, NSFAS will be opening for 2025 later in the year.

How to Apply for NSFAS?

You can apply for NSFAS from home using any device or at the nearest NYDA office if you feel you aren’t tech-savvy enough and need extra help.

You can also visit any Thusong Centre for assistance with your NSFAS application.

Here is how the application for NSFAS works for a new student by following these simple steps: 

1. Go to www.nsfas.org.za and click on the ‘myNSFAS’ orange tab

2. Then create a myNSFAS account

3. After that click on the ‘APPLY’ tab and complete the sections on the screen

4. Once that is done, you must upload the required supporting documents under the relevant headings

5. Click on ‘Submit’ to send your online application to NSFAS and you’re done

How to Appeal for NSFAS?

If your application was denied for some reason you deem not accurate. You can appeal the decision by sending an application to NSFAS to rethink their initial outcome. 

How to send an appeal application to NSFAS:

• Visit the myNSFAS portal via the main NSFAS website

• Then Log into your myNSFAS account

• Once you’re in, click the 'Track Funding Progress’ tab.

• Check the application progress tabs.

• Click on the 'Submit Appeal’ Tab if you have an unsuccessful message appearing on the screen

• After that, you will be able to see why your application was declined once the' Application Appeal’ page appears

• Then choose the appeal reason from the provided options

• Upload certified supporting documents to support your selected reason

• Click ‘Submit Appeal’ to submit the appeal to NSFAS

• Track your appeal progress via the ‘Track appeal’ tab

Appeals can take some time, so if you send one, you have to be patient and trust that they will respond soon. Also, you must submit an appeal within 30 days after receiving the unsatisfactory response from NSFAS.

NSFAS Status Check

Once your application has been sent you will be able to keep track of its progress on the myNSFAS portal under your NSFAS profile. 

How to check your NSFAS Status: 

1. Login into the myNSFAS Portal

2. Go to ‘View Applications’

3. Click on the ‘Track Application’ tab and you should be able to see on what step your NSFAS application is currently on

NSFAS Status Meaning

After viewing your status it might be confusing to understand what the current step might mean. 

Here is a brief explanation of all the NSFAS Statuses:

1. Application Submitted - your application has been sent to NSFAS

2. Filtering - NSFAS is going over your details and checking if you have other qualifications and if you are a returning student

3. Validation - the information you provided is pitted against the information SASSA and the Department of Affairs have on their records about you. NSFAS verifies if it's true and is the same as the one you gave them on the form

4. Evaluation - NSFAS is verifying your uploaded documents

5. Funding Eligibility - Your financial background is checked to see if it is what you have said it to be in your application

6. Awaiting Academic Results - NSFAS is waiting for your results from the school you’re with to see if you qualify for funding

7. Awaiting Valid Registration Data from Institution - NSFAS is waiting to receive registration details from the institution you have registered with; where you intend to study with the NSFAS bursary or Loan Scheme. Once they have they will create an agreement for you to sign.

8. Signing of Agreement - the agreement is now ready for you to sign

9. Payments - your allowances are now paid into your Coinvest account monthly 

Conclusion

Studying after matric is important and can improve your life. Although fees might be pricey. Student Aids such as NSFAS are there to carry all that financial for you, while you work on securing that degree.

Don’t forget to share this post if you found it useful. It just might help someone out there wanting to study after matric but lacking the funds to do so.