How to Apply for NSFAS?

By Staff Reporter

Summary. This article answers the following questions:

• When does NSFAS application open and close?
• Who qualifies for NSFAS bursary?
• Where can I apply for NSFAS bursary?
• How do I login myNSFAS account?
• How do I create myNSFAS account?
• What documents do I need to apply for NSFAS?
• How/where do I upload my (outstanding) supporting documents for NSFAS?
• What do I get from NSFAS bursary?

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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-run bursary program that supports students who meet specific criteria to complete their tertiary education qualifications. To be a beneficiary of this bursary, you need to follow several steps and submit pertinent documents.

You should also ensure that you have your own valid email address and cellphone number (note that your email address and cellphone number must be unique to you and cannot be shared with another applicant).

When does NSFAS application open and close?

Applications are open and close on 31^st January 2023.

Who qualifies for NSFAS?

You are a South African citizen or permanent resident who plans to study in 2023 or is already studying at a public university or Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college. You are within one or more of the below categories:

• Combined household income is not more than R350,000 per year,
• Person with disability with combined household income of not more than R600,000 per year, or
• South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) recipient and will automatically qualify based on financial eligibility.

Remember to visit the financial aid office of your institution to verify if your qualification is funded by NSFAS.

Where can I apply for NSFAS?

• If you do not have a smart device and/or access to the internet, visit your nearest National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) or Thusong Centre to apply by using a manual application form.
• If you have a smart device and access to the internet, create and/or login your myNSFAS account.

How do I login myNSFAS account to apply for NSFAS?

• Log onto my.nsfas.org.za.
• Select the “Login” or “Create account” option.
• If you have an account, login by (1) typing your ID number and password, (2) clicking on the “I am not a robot” area, and (3) clicking on the “Login” button.

How do I create myNSFAS account to apply for NSFAS?

• If you do not have an account, after you have logged onto my.nsfas.org.za, select the “Create account” option to create an account.
• Fill in the following personal details as they appear on your ID: first name(s), last name, and ID number.
• Fill in your valid contact details: email address (which will be your username) and cellphone number. (NSFAS will use these email address and cellphone number to communicate important updates about your application.)
• Click on the “Read and understood T&Cs” area after filling in the above details.
• Create a password and then confirm it.
• Click on the “I am not a robot” area to complete the relevant puzzle if any.
• Click on the “Create account” button.
• Receive an One Time Pin (OTP) through SMS and type it as soon as possible.
• Answer three security questions.

ID number, names, and surname are validated against the Department of Home Affairs database. Only valid South African ID information will be accepted. You should always keep your personal details and passwords private to avoid identify theft or scammers accessing your profile.

• After creating the account, login as explained above.
• Tap on the “Apply now” button when you are in your myNSFAS account.
• *Follow all of the steps and fill in the required details at your own pace.
• Wait for NSFAS to verify the necessary information: (1) ID details with the Department of Home Affairs, (2) income levels through the South African Revenue Service, and (3) dependence on government grant(s) with SASSA. NSFAS has not communicated how long it takes them to verify such information.
• Submit the required documents (see below). The system will help you by generating a list of required documents to upload based on your application type.
• Confirm if the details and documents uploaded are correct.
• Click on “Submit” to complete the application process.
• See application reference number on the screen and receive it through your cellphone number and email address.

*If you are trying to apply online and the name of your high school is not appearing on the provided list of school names, you will be required to select “Other” as an option in order to complete your application.

Every applicant’s myNSFAS account is consistently updated to show the status of the person’s application.

What documents do I need to apply for NSFAS?

• Certified copy of your ID, not older than three months for all applicants (a temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs will be accepted and if you are using a smart ID, submit a copy of each side),
• Completed and signed consent form for all applicants,
• Certified ID copy(ies) of your parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse, not older than three months, for applicants dependent on parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse,
• Proof of income such as payslip not holder than three months, UIF letter, appointment letter, or retrenchment letter of your parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse for applicants dependent on parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse,
• Proof of income such as payslip not holder than three months, UIF letter, appointment letter, or retrenchment letter for applicants with employment or who are self-sufficient,
• Previous year’s *IRP5 for applicants with employment or who are self-sufficient,
• Completed and signed Disability Annexure A and Human Support Claim Form, proof of disability, and quotation for assistive devices with the application form for applicants with disability,
• No proof of income for applicants who are beneficiaries of SASSA,
• Completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form for applicants who are recognised as “Vulnerable Child” by the Department of Social Development, and
• Completed and signed Non-SASSA Declaration Form for applicants who do not have the details of certain family member(s) and/or possess abridged birth certificate.

*TaxTim SA explains: “An IRP5 is the employee’s tax certificate that is issued to him/her at the end of each tax year, detailing all employer/employee related incomes, deductions, and related taxes. The employee uses it specifically to complete his/her income tax return for a specific year.”

What do I get from NSFAS?

Once your application has been approved, NSFAS will cover the following costs:

• Accommodation,
• Transport,
• Living allowance,
• Learning material allowance, and
• Personal care allowance.

If you are studying at the University of South Africa (UNISA), you will receive funding for:

• Tuition,
• Books (subject to the number of modules registered), and
• Personal care allowance.

For students with disability, NSFAS Disability Bursary Programme provides:

• *Assistive devices
• Meals
• Tuition
• Transport
• Human support
• Accommodation

*If you are successful in your application for financial aid and you have received notice of the final approval amount from NSFAS, you may arrange to purchase your assistive device(s) through the student disability unit at your university or TVET college.

The university or TVET college can purchase the assistive device(s) on your behalf.

NSFAS applications are free and so, applicants do not need to pay any one a fee to apply. You do not need to share your myNSFAS log in details with anyone and NSFAS employees will never ask for your login details. In short, all applicants need to protect their personal information.

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Images are screenshots of myNSFAS student portals.

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