Is NSFAS Taking Late Applications For 2023 Funding?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government bursary scheme that funds thousands of disadvantaged South Africans who are pursuing their studies at a public university or TVET college. 

Applications for NSFAS funding for the 2023 academic year opened on 28 September 2022 and applications for Nsfas bursaries will close on 31 January 2023. 

In previous years the bursary scheme has extended the application period past the initial deadline for late applications. 

However, NSFAS has stated that no late applications will be accepted for 2023 funding and applicants who submit a NSFAS application after 31 January 2023 will be rejected and will receive a ‘APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER CLOSING DATE’ NSFAS status.

Applicants can't appeal this rejection status, therefore it is important to submit the application before the closing date. 

Applications can be completed and submitted online by doing the following: 

1. Create a myNsfas account 
   • If you have an existing myNsfas account, click on 'login' when going to myNsfas and complete your information
   • If you don't have a myNsfas account, click on 'Create account'
2. Log into your myNsfas account
3. Click on 'Apply'
4. Answer the questions on the screen
5. Upload the required supporting documents
6. Click on 'Submit'
7. You will then receive an application reference number

Applicants will need to upload supporting documents as NSFAS needs this additional information in order to process the applications. 

Click here to find out what documents you need for your NSFAS application. 

Nsfas applicants will be able to pause the process and continue at a later stage without restarting from scratch. However, they must ensure that they complete and submit the application before the closing date. 

Application results will be communicated to all applicants once NSFAS received confirmation from the Institution that an academic offer has been made to you.