The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, popularly known as NSFAS, is a government agency that provides financial support for underprivileged students in South Africa. If you are a student who is struggling financially to pay for your college or university fees, NSFAS is a great option to consider. With the application period for 2024 soon to open, this article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to apply for NSFAS, and also give you important information that you should keep in mind.
Section 1: Eligibility Requirements
Basic Eligibility Criteria
To apply for NSFAS funding, you must:
- Be a South African citizen (foreign students cannot apply)
- Want to study for an undergraduate degree at a public university or TVET college and meet the academic requirements
- If you’ve already applied and have an application reference number, you should not apply again
- Not already be receiving any NSFAS funding for the current academic year (only students without funding can apply)
If you are applying for a TVET college bursary:
- You must be registered at a public South African TVET college
- You must be studying for a National Certificate (vocational)
- You must be studying certain Report 191 (NATED) programs, such as N1-N6 in engineering and N4-N6 in other fields.
Academic Requirements
- Must have achieved a minimum average of 50% in your previous year of study (for returning students)
- Must have obtained a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification (for first-time applicants)
Section 2: Gathering Required Documents
To apply for NSFAS, you will need to gather certain documents. These documents should be certified at the South African Police Service or the South African Post Office and must not be older than 3 months. The following documents are required if you are under 18 or if you are 18 and still dependent on your parent or legal guardian’s income:
- A valid copy of your South African ID or birth certificate. If you are under 16 and don’t have a green bar-coded ID or smart ID card, you will need a certified copy of your unabridged birth certificate.
- IDs of your parents and/or guardian (or death certificate if applicable).
- IDs of all the people living in your household.
- Proof of the annual household income of your parents or guardian, or yourself if you are employed. This can be in the form of a payslip or appointment letter. It includes all types of employment and income sources for everyone in your household, including income from SASSA grants, UIF, retirement benefits, disability benefits, etc.
- A certified copy of your latest academic transcript or exam results, unless you are in Grade 12.
- University registration documents, if applicable.
- Travel and accommodation documents, if applicable.
- Proof of marital status, if applicable.
- Download and fill in the consent form, getting the signatures of all individuals whose incomes are declared in the application.
- If you have a disability, download and complete the Disability Annexure A Form.
If you prefer applying offline, you can visit one of the application centers to get a hard copy of the application form. Fill in the form using black ink and write in capital letters within the provided blocks. Do not cancel any text and ensure your writing is clear. Have your parents or guardian sign the consent form. Attach certified copies of the supporting documents to the application form by stapling them together. The front side of the documents should be certified and they should not be older than 3 months. Finally, sign the completed application form and submit it to one of the NYDA assistants. You will receive a small acknowledgment receipt card with a duplicated barcode.
Section 3: Completing the NSFAS application 2024/2025
Creating an Account
To apply for NSFAS 2024/2025, follow these steps:
Step One: Register on the website
The first step in applying for NSFAS is to register on their website. This is important because it allows you to create a profile and log in to the system every time you need to access your information. To register, go to the NSFAS website at and click on the “Register” button. Make sure that you enter all the required details correctly, and then click on “Register” again. You will receive a confirmation email to complete the registration process.
Step Two: Complete your application
Once you have registered, you can proceed to complete your application. Ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready, including your ID, proof of income, and academic records. To start the application process, log in to your account and click on “Apply.” Fill in all the required details, and then click on “Submit.” Be sure to submit your application before the deadline.
Step Three: Check your application status
After you have submitted your application, you can check your status to see if your application was successful or not. This is important because it helps you to plan and know what to expect. To check your status, log in to your account and click on “Check Status.” If your application has been successful, you will be notified of the award amount and when it will be paid. If your application was unsuccessful, you will receive an explanation of why it was rejected.
Step Four: Accept the award
If your application was successful, you will receive an award letter from NSFAS indicating the amount that you have been awarded. You then need to accept the award, which means that you agree to the terms and conditions of the NSFAS bursary. To accept the award, log in to your account and click on “Accept Award.” Read through the terms and conditions carefully and, if you agree, click on “Accept.”
Step Five: Renew your application
After the first year, you will need to renew your application if you want to continue receiving the NSFAS bursary. This also applies if you are moving from one institution to another. To renew your application, log in to your account and click on “Renew Application.” Fill in the required details, and then click on “Submit.”
Filling in Personal Information
- Provide your personal details, including your name, contact information, and residential address
- Indicate your preferred method of communication (email, SMS, or post)
Providing Academic Information
- Enter your current or intended institution and course of study
- Provide details about your previous academic performance (for returning students)
Uploading Required Documents
- Scan or take clear photos of all the required documents
- Upload the documents to your myNSFAS account
Section 4: Submitting and Tracking Your NSFAS application 2024/2025
Submitting Your NSFAS application 2024/2025
- Review all the information you have provided
- Click on the “Submit” button to submit your application
Tracking Your Application
- Log in to your myNSFAS account regularly to check the status of your application
- Contact NSFAS directly if you have any concerns or questions about your application
By following this step-by-step guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS and increase your chances of receiving financial aid.
The NSFAS bursary is a great option for students who need financial assistance to pursue their studies. Applying for the bursary is a simple process that you can complete online. However, it is important to ensure that you have all the required documents and that you meet all the eligibility criteria. With this step-by-step guide, we hope that you will be able to apply for the NSFAS bursary successfully. Good luck!