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​1. WHAT IS AN NSFAS BURSARY?

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The “National Student Financial Aid Scheme” (NSFAS) is a government bursary awarded to South African students from families who get SASSA grants or  earn less than R 350 000 per year (total household income) to study at Universities and TVET colleges.

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2. WHAT DOES THE BURSARY COVER?

(2019 figures) 

 

    UNIVERSITY

  • Registration and tuition fees

  • Books (R 5200/year)

  • Accommodation on and off campus (see page: accommodation) - max of R 4018/month in 2020.

  • Living allowance 15 000 a year

  • Transport (up to 40 km from institution) R7 500  per annum

  • Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

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    TVET COLLEGES

  • Accommodation in an urban area R24,000 per annum

  • Accommodation in an peri-urban area R18,900 per annum

  • Accommodation in an rural area R15,750 per annum

  • Transport (up to 40 km from institution) R7,350  per annum

  • Transport R7000 per annum

  • Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

 

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3. HOW DO I APPLY FOR AN NSFAS BURSARY?

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  • Apply online before November 30 of the previous year of studies.

  • Click here : my.nsfas.org.za/mynsfas/selfservice.html

  • You must also send a consent form "signed by ALL the people whose incomes have been declared in the application" (www.nsfas.org.za/content/how-to-apply.html). Your application will not be accepted if the consent form has not been sent.

  • Apply only once for all Universities or TVET colleges.

  • Don’t wait for the result of your University application. Even if you have not been admitted with your Grade 11 results, you MUST apply for NSFAS, in case you are admitted in January, with your Grade 12 results.

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4. DOCUMENTS NEEDED

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Check on www.nsfas.org.za:

  • Your certified ID book/card or an unabridged birth certificate.

  • Certified ID book/card of parents or guardian (or death certificate where applicable).

  • Certified ID copy of each person living with you in your home.

  • If your parent or guardian receives SASSA grants, you do NOT need to send any proof of income. If your family does not get any SASSA grant, you must send a pay slip/pension advice (not older than 3 months) or an affidavit from the police station about the income.

  • Consent from to be filled in by your parent/guardian. It must be signed by all people whose incomes have been declared in the application (download form from NSFAS website).

  • If you have a disability, you need to download a form (disability annexure A).

  • If you are an orphan, you need also to complete a form.

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5. HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED?

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You should get a sms or email from NSFAS in January once your admission at University has been approved.

You can check on the NSFAS website (or UJ website – click on Study at UJ /Apply: check your status/check your NSFAS status) or call NSFAS directly.

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If your NSFAS bursary has not been approved, you can launch an appeal.

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Once your bursary has been approved, you need to sign an online contract with NSFAS.

If you have received a partial bursary (e.g. covers only your student fee), NSFAS might cover other expenses (e.g. – accommodation).

 

NB:

  • If your family receives child support grants or disability grants administered through SASSA, you will automatically get the bursary.

If your family does not receive grants, your application will be assessed to see if you are eligible.

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6. WILL I GET AN NSFAS BURSARY EVERY YEAR?

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To keep the bursary, you will need to meet and maintain certain academic conditions:

  • Pass at least 50 % of your subjects in the first year of student.

  • You can only repeat one year during your diploma or degree.

  • In second year, you must do a minimum of 10 days (80 hours) of community service or special project work, of the student’s own choosing from a wide range of possibilities, the purpose of which is to inculcate a culture of giving back and working towards the betterment of our country.

  • You must work in RSA for at least the number of years you have been funded. If you leave before, you must pay back your bursary (except if you go abroad to study, and come back after to RSA).

 

NB:

  • NSFAS  does pay for some B Tech and post graduates studies. Check the list here : http://nsfas.org.za/content/postgraduate.html

  • NSFAS does not pay for Honors and Masters studies. Postgraduate students are advised to apply with the National Research Foundation (NRF)

  • If you want to study  teaching , you can apply for FUNZA government bursary (equivalent of Nsfas)

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7. CONTACT

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NSFAS Connect: www.nsfas.org.za and log into your myNSFAS account

Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme​

Twitter page: @myNSFAS

Instagram: @myNSFAS

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

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1. What is an NSFAS Bursary?
2. What Does the Bursary Cover?
3. How Do I Apply for an NSFAS Bursary?
4. Documents Needed
5. How Will I Know if my Application Has Been Approved?
6. Will I Get an NSFAS Bursary Every Year?
7. Contact
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