Here's Who Should Reapply For Nsfas

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides loans and bursaries for students to study at public universities and TVET Colleges. Students qualify for Nsfas funding if they are South African citizens or permanent residents who plan to register or are already studying at a public university or TVET college.

If they fall within one or more of the below categories, they qualify for funding:

• Are a Sassa grant recipient
• Have a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per year.
• For persons living with disabilities, the combined household income may not more than R600 000 per year.

The scheme does not only cover cost of tuition and registration fees, but also study material expenses, food allowance, incidental/ personal care, as well as accommodation or transport.

Many students have raised questions on whether they need to reapply for Nsfas funding if they were approved for funding in the past.

According to Nsfas, students are funded for the duration of their studies granted that they pass their modules and meet the academic requirements. This means that they do not need to reapply for funding at the start of each academic year or when Nsfas applications open.

When you should reapply for NSFAS

• If you de-registered in the past and are registering to start studying again
• If you dropped out and want to continue studying
• If you graduated from a TVET College and want to attend a University
• If you graduated from university and want to attend TVET College
• If you were rejected for financial aid by NSFAS due to data or information errors submitted in your NSFAS application. The error should not relate to an error in the ID number, first name or surname of the
  student entered on the application.
• If you graduated studying a Higher Certificate and want to study towards a Degree at a university

If the bursary scheme has rejected your application, you will get an opportunity to appeal the funding decision during the appeals window.  Students must lodge an appeal within 30 days of having been assessed as unsuccessful.