National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

1.  What is my NSFAS status?
 
Please log in on your MyNSFAS account to check your status (www.nsfas.org.za).

2.  I forgot my password for my MyNSFAS account.  What should I do?

Click on the ‘Forgot your password?’ link:

3.  I forgot my username for my MyNSFAS account.  What should I do?

 Click on the ‘Forgot your password?’ link:

4.  Do I have to pay for registration if my NSFAS funds were approved?

No, you do not have to pay for registration if your NSFAS funds are approved.  Please note that Financial Aid will allocate your NSFAS funding on the UFS system, which will lift the registration pre-payment block for you to register without making any payment.  Once the allocation is done, you will receive an SMS message to notify you.

5.  I am funded by NSFAS – What should I do next?

The Financial Aid office at the UFS requests complete funded lists from NSFAS on a regular basis.  Validation checks are done and an NSFAS allocation is made to qualifying students on the UFS system.  Once the allocation is made, Financial Aid will inform the student via an SMS message.  Please note that approximately five hours after allocation of the NSFAS funds, the registration prepayment block will lift automatically.  You are now ready to register.

6.  I am a NSFAS-funded student but did not receive an SMS from Financial Aid to confirm that my allocation was done.  What should I do if I still need to register?

• Please be patient.
• Make sure that your cellphone number is correct on the university’s system.If you need to correct your number, please contact Student Academic Services.
• However, if your funding has been approved by NSFAS for two weeks and you have not received the SMS, please contact the Financial Aid station/help desk.

7.  I did not receive the NSFAS allocation SMS from the UFS, and the period for registration given to me when accepting the offer for admission has passed.  Can I still register?

Please continue with online registration once you have received the SMS confirming your allocation.  Your registration will be subject to available space in the specific faculty.

8.  I am a NSFAS student and I have outstanding fees.  Will I be allowed to register?

The university is aware of your situation and will take the amount payable by NSFAS into consideration when you want to register.  Please note that you will have to contact the Student Finance division.

9.  I paid my own registration fees and received NSFAS thereafter.  Can I get a refund?

Yes. However, you will have to apply for a refund. Financial Aid will communicate to all NSFAS students when refund requests may be submitted for registration fees paid.  Any fees not paid by NSFAS (for example, fines, doctor’s fees, etc.) will be deducted from the amount paid and only the balance will be refunded.  All refund requests for NSFAS students must be submitted to Financial Aid. Please note that a closing date for the submission of refund requests will be applicable.

10.  When will I receive my first NSFAS allowances?

The first allowance payment is in February/March each year. This is subject to NSFAS’ initial payments to the UFS.

11.  What NSFAS allowances do I qualify for? 

12.  How will NSFAS allowances be paid?

NSFAS allowances will be paid in cash to the student via the Fundi system.  Once the allowances are debited to your student class fee account, you will receive an SMS message from Fundi to upload your banking details.  Fundi will confirm your banking details and payment will follow.

Please note that no payments will be made to a third party.

Private accommodation payment will be paid to the student card on the private accommodation pocket.  Students will swipe for payment at the landlord.

13.  I did not obtain my higher certificate last year and have to repeat some modules.  Will I qualify for NSFAS?

14.  Does NSFAS pay private accommodation deposits?

No, NSFAS does not pay private accommodation deposits or residence deposits.

15.  How do I apply for private accommodation?

Please visit the UFS website at www.ufs.ac.za for a complete guide:

• Click on APPLY
  
• Click on YOUR FINANCES / FINANCIAL AID

16.  How will the accredited private accommodation work?

If your landlord is not accredited, please refer him/her to the Department of Student Housing. No payments will be made in 2022 and onwards to landlords who were not accredited by the end of 2020.

17.  When will I receive my private accommodation payment?

You must apply online for your private accommodation.  It is compulsory to upload your rental agreement and proof of home address.  If your private accommodation application is approved by the 25th of a month you will receive payment from your move in date up to date during the first week of the following month and thereafter you will receive your monthly payments until November.

18. How will I know if my private accommodation application status has changed?

You will immediately receive an email on your ufs4life email address when your status change.  

19. What should I do if my private accommodation application is incomplete?

Please log in on your Student Self Service.  The reasons for your incomplete application will be listed under your private accommodation application.  Please correct the application and resubmit.  Please do not resubmit if the application was not corrected.  Please visit the website for clear explanations on the reasons for incomplete applications if you are unsure what is expected from you.
Please note that no payment will be made before your private accommodation application is approved.

20. When is the closing date for NSFAS private accommodation applications?

The closing date for applications for private accommodation will be communicated.  Please note that no extension will be given.

21. I qualify for NSFAS transport allowance.  What do I do to receive this allowance?

Please submit your proof of home address, not older than 3 months, at your nearest Financial Aid office for approval and payment of transport allowance.  Once approved you will receive your first allowance during the first week of the following month.  Please note that you will not qualify for transport allowance if you qualify for private accommodation allowance.

22.  When will I receive my NSFAS allowances?

NSFAS allowances will be paid during the first week of each month over a period of 10 months.

23.  Will NSFAS pay all my fees?

NSFAS does not pay for the following:

• Outstanding balances
• Fines
• Doctor’s fees
• Breakage costs
• Fridge rental, etc.

Please note that students who were registered for the first time at a tertiary institution before 2018, are subject to a maximum NSFAS amount for the year.  The maximum NSFAS amount for 2022 will be confirmed.

24.  I am funded by NSFAS but will study a course that is not funded by NSFAS.  What should I do?

Your NSFAS funding is subject to you registering for a NSFAS-funded course.  If you want to register for a course that is not funded by NSFAS, you will be unfunded. 

If you want to register for a course that is not funded by NSFAS, you will have to find another source of funding and pay your own registration fees.

Courses not funded by NSFAS is, for example, University Access Programmes / University Preparation Programmes, Postgraduate Diploma in General Accountancy, honours, etc.

Please note that NSFAS-funded students who are registered or would like to register for courses not funded by NSFAS, will be handled as follows:

• Students must make the minimum required registration payment to register.
• NSFAS funding for students will be cancelled or not allocated if they are registered or open for courses not funded by NSFAS.
• If students have registered with NSFAS funding, they will be deregistered and requested to make the minimum payment before being registered again.

Merit Bursaries 

 
25.  Do I have to apply for a merit bursary?

This process will be confirmed.

26.  How do you determine who qualifies for a merit bursary?

Please visit the UFS website at www.ufs.ac.za for complete information regarding the merit bursary:

• Click on APPLY
• Click on YOUR FINANCES / FINANCIAL AID 

27.  Can I use my merit bursary to register?

Yes, you can use your merit bursary to pay for registration or a part of your registration fee, depending on the amount received.

28.  For how long will my merit bursary be valid?

The merit bursary will be valid for five years.

29.  When will my merit bursary be paid?

The merit bursary payment will be done after registration. 

30.  Is the merit bursary refundable?

• NSFAS students cannot receive a refund on the merit bursary, since NSFAS is the last resort of funding and will only pay what the student needs.
• When a student has another bursary, it will depend on the donor.
• If the tuition fee account has been paid in full by the student, parents or guardian, then any possible credit may be refundable.

31.  I was a final-year student and received a merit bursary.  Do I have access to the funds?

You have to register again for a qualifying course in order for the merit bursary to be paid to your tuition fee account.  The merit bursary is valid for five years.

32.  I have a registration block for the outstanding NSFAS agreement.  What should I do?

Please contact Financial Aid for assistance.  According to NSFAS, you have received your agreement link to sign, but you have not signed yet. 

33.  When can I submit my NSFAS appeal?

NSFAS has not yet communicated the appeal process for 2022. Once the information is available, it will be communicated and posted on the UFS website.

34.  I am in need of funding.  What should I do?

Please visit the UFS website at www.ufs.ac.za for bursary information:

• Click on APPLY
• Click on YOUR FINANCES / FINANCIAL AID