National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Application 2024: How to apply for NSFAS.
The NSFAS Online Application Portal will open on September 28, 2023, and close on January 31, 2024, for the academic year 2024–2025. Visit www.nsfas.org.za now to apply for NSFAS 2024. To all those who wish to apply for NSFAS for the 2024–2025 academic year, the management of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is urging: before submitting an online application through the myNSFAS Student Portal, please make sure you are eligible for NSFAS and have all the necessary documents ready. We strongly advise all applicants to submit their applications as soon as they become available and before the deadline in order for NSFAS to evaluate them for 2024.
Who qualifies for Nsfas?
Here are the requirements to apply for Nsfas.
You may qualify for the NSFAS bursary at the Financial Aid Office / Student Support Services on campus if;
- you’re registering for the first time for an undergraduate qualification and have been admitted.
- you’re a South African citizen.
- your combined annual household income does not exceed R350,000 per annum.
Who does not qualify for NSFAS?
- Students with a combined annual household income of more than R350,000 per annum.
- Students who have already applied for and qualify for NSFAS funding for the previous academic year (students who have previously received NSFAS funding and who qualify for NSFAS funding for the previous academic year will receive a bursary).
- Foreign students (any student who is not a South African citizen).
If you’re not a fan of NSFAS, check out these NSFAS bursary alternatives.
Nsfas online application
Many students ask this question. How do I apply for Nsfas online?
Applying for Nsfas online involves a simple process. But before you apply, you need to prepare the following important documents for your NSFAS application which should not be older than 3 months:
- Your South African identity document/card or birth certificate
- The ID of parent/s and/or guardian/s (or death certificate where applicable)
- Pay advice/letter of employment/pension advice stating income (not older than 3 months) (SASSA slips are not required and SASSA should not be included as household income)
- Download the NSFAS Consent Form from www.nsfas.org.za and fill it in with your parent/s or guardian/s signatures.
- If you have a disability, download the Disability Annexure A from www.nsfas.org.za and fill it in.
How to apply for Nsfas online
The first step to applying is creating an account.
How to create an NSFAS profile:
- Go to nsfas website
- Click on ‘MyNSFAS Account’
- Register and create a profile.
After successfully creating your account, click on “apply” and follow a quick and easy online application process as below;
- Click on the Apply tab.
- Your ID number, Name, Surname, Cell number, and email address will be pre-populated. This information is taken from your profile registration. Fill in the rest of the required fields.
- Once your application is submitted an Application Reference Number is sent to your email and cellphone.
- Upload the relevant documents.
- Agree to the terms and conditions by ticking the box and click submit.
- Once you have successfully submitted your application you will be able
to track your application status!
Download the Application form for new Nsfas applicants.
You can also visit your nearest NYDA Centre in your region, where you will be assisted to complete and submitting a manual application.
You need to have certified copies of supporting documents ready before you start the manual application process.
Once you have applied to Nsfas, you should wait no longer than a week to have your application acknowledged.
If you do not receive acknowledgment of your application, you are requested to call the Toll Free Nsfas call center (08000 673 27).
Note that your application will NOT be considered if;
- you have already applied (for the current year) on the site and have an application reference number.
you already have Nsfas funding for the previous year. - you already have an undergraduate degree/diploma or postgraduate degree, with the following exceptions:
• BTech – Architecture / Architectural Technology
• BTech – Engineering (all disciplines), Cartography, Forestry
• BTech – Biokinetics, Biomedical Technology, Biotechnology
• BTech – Chiropractic, Homoeopathy, all Nursing
• BTech – Clinical or Dental Technology, Emergency Medical Care
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
• LLB.
How do I change my Nsfas contact details?
When it comes to NSFAS bursary applications, SMS’s are the main way in which NSFAS communicates with students, so make sure that your contact information is correct and up-to-date.
It is also important to make sure that the cell phone number connected to your account is one that you have regular access to so that you never miss any updates or information from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
How to update your NSFAS account details
- Login to nsfas.org.za
- Enter your username and password (on the ‘already registered’ tab)
Click ‘sign in’ - Select ‘My Personal Details’ and delete incorrect cell phone number and replace it with the correct one (the same can be done with other incorrect information)
- Click ‘update details’
- A one-time pin (OTP) will be sent to the new cell phone number
- You will be asked to enter and submit the OTP on the NSFAS website once it has been sent to you
- Once this is done, your details are updated.
The manual process of changing contact details is still available. This involves emailing a certified copy of an ID book or smart card, along with an affidavit stating that the cell phone number has been changed (the old and new number must be noted), to the following email address: uds@nsfas.org.za.
How to check myNSFAS Status
How do you check your Nsfas status?
If you’ve been waiting anxiously to find if you have been accepted into the scheme, here’s a simple guide on how to check your National Student Financial Aid Scheme application status.
When you apply for study funding at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, you can usually expect a response a few days after the application closing date.
However, if you still haven’t heard back from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, it might be time to take things into your own hands.
It’s not a difficult process, but to make things even easier, we’ve provided you with the steps below.
Step 1:
If you would like to check the status of your NSFAS application, please visit the National Student Financial Aid Scheme website. Click on MyNSFAS account and log in with your ID and the password you created during your application.
Step 2:
If the status of your application is “Provisionally Funded”, contact the scheme for all other outcomes, as NSFAS is responsible for the application process.
How to sign your nsfas bursary agreement (nba)
After the scheme has received confirmation from the university you’ve registered with, NSFAS Bursary Agreement (NBA) is created and sent to you via email and SMS.
- Click on the link in the email (an email with a link to sign the NBA online).
- Insert your South African ID number to sign the Agreement.
- You will receive a One Time Pin (OTP) through an SMS to your registered cellphone number.
- Type in the received OTP to continue with the signing of the agreement.
- Submit your NBA
- When you finished, you will receive a notification on the screen that the Terms and Conditions have been submitted. This means you have successfully signed your NSFAS Bursary Agreement. Your parent or legal guardian should sign for you if you are under 18yrs.
- Log into your account on nsfas.org.za to check if your NBA has been changed or completed.
Faqs
Here are frequently asked questions about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
How much does Nsfas give students per month?
R 735 per month. And it is payable to all NSFAS Qualifying Bursary Students who do not qualify for the College Accommodation Scheme.
How will this be paid?
You will receive your allowances through your bank accounts, directly from academic institutions
The scheme urges academic institutions and student organizations to encourage and assist funded students to open bank accounts with accredited financial institutions of their choice.
Do you pay back Nsfas?
Yes! Your NSFAS loan must be paid back when you start working and must be paid back in FULL unless you qualify for a loan to bursary conversion. If you have great academic results, The scheme may offer to convert your loan to a bursary for up to 40% of what you owe.
What about students who drop out during their studies?
Students who drop out are still required to repay their loans when they start earning R30 000 or more a year.
Do you have to apply every year?
Full-time registered students who meet the entry requirements for the scheme just have to complete and submit their application forms at their university’s financial aid offices. The only catch is that funding isn’t automatically renewed, so students need to make sure to reapply every year.
Do returning students apply for Nsfas?
Continuing students who are funded by NSFAS this year will be contacted by the scheme to sign their agreements online‚ if they have not done so already. They are not required to reapply‚ as funding will automatically continue‚ if they meet the progression rule of a 50% pass.
