The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, better known as NSFAS, opened their applications for 2022 bursaries this week, later than usual.
Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, said that the demand for student funding has increased due to the effects of the pandemic and NSFAS is therefore expecting an increase in applications this year for the next academic year.
Kagisho Mamabolo, the NSFAS Spokesperson, said:
We are very excited as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme that finally, our Minister Blade Nzimande gave us the greenlight to open applications.
In order to submit your application successfully, you need to go to the NSFAS website where it is said to take less than 10 minutes to submit an application.
The applicant’s ID number, cellphone number and copies of ID are needed for the application. Once you register on myNSFAS to apply, you will receive a One Time Pin (OTP) through the cellphone number you supplied.
This year, NSFAS is doing things a little differently. They have divided students up into categories which gives them an opportunity to communicate immediately with those who are funded. Click here to read more about these categories.
When you receive your NSFAS application status depends on which category you fall under. You will then be told in under 48 hours, whether you are eligible for funding or not.
You can apply for NSFAS even if your place at a University or TVET College is not secured yet. NSFAS will however need you to be registered to start disbursing funds to you and your institution but you can still apply while you wait for admission.
People living with disabilities who need a bursary can also apply with Mamabolo saying, “NSFAS funding requires students who come from poor and working class families who don’t have money to fund their higher education studies”.
South African citizens are eligible for NSFAS as well as permanent residents.
Applications will close on 7 January 2022 for NSFAS bursaries. These bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, accommodation, transport, books and other living costs for students.
