UPDATE: 11 March 2019
General NSFAS information 

Do you come from a poor or working-class family with a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per annum?

The Department of Higher Education and Training has a bursary designed to assist you with funding towards a tertiary qualification of your choice. The bursary is administered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and is available for persons who wish to or are studying at a public institution of higher education and training (university or TVET college).

Who qualifies for NSFAS?

Funding will be available to:

• Students from families with a combined household income of not more than R350 000 (three hundred and fifty thousand rands) per annum, registering at TVET colleges and universities for the first time.
• Students returning to TVET colleges and universities to complete or continue their first undergraduate qualification. Only select postgraduate qualifications are funded, please refer to the website for the full list.
• Students from families with a combined household income of up to R122 000 (one hundred and twenty-two thousand rands) returning to TVET colleges and universities after a gap year or two to complete their first undergraduate qualification.
• Students from families who are recipients of child-support grants or disability grants administered through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will automatically qualify for NSFAS funding.
• Orphans will automatically qualify for NSFAS funding, provided that there is confirmation of their status.
  
  
  

  NSFAS funding for postgraduate qualifications

  NSFAS only accepts funding applications for the following postgraduate qualifications:

  BTECH: ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY

  BTECH: ARCHITECTURE (PROFESSIONAL)

  BTECH: BIOKINETICS

  BTECH: BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

  BTECH: BIOTECHNOLOGY

  BTECH: CARTOGRAPHY

  BTECH: CHIROPRACTIC

  BTECH: CLINICAL TECHNOLOGY

  BTECH: DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

  BTECH: EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: CHEMICAL

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: CIVIL

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: ELECTRICAL

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: INDUSTRIAL

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: MECHANICAL

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: MECHANICAL: MECHATRONICS

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: METALLURGY

  BTECH: ENGINEERING: REFRACTORIES

  BTECH: FORESTRY

  BTECH: HOMOEOPATHY

  BTECH: NURSING

  BTECH: NURSING SCIENCE

  BTECH: NURSING: COMMUNITY NURSING

  BTECH: NURSING: PRIMARY HEALTHCARE

  BTECH: NURSING: OCCUPATIONAL NURSING

  PGCE

  LLB

  MB CHB

  PGDA

What the bursary covers

NSFAS funding covers the actual cost of tuition plus prescribed learning materials – this means the tuition fee for the specific programme that the student is registered for; these fees differ, depending on the field of study (e.g. engineering; medicine; art; history, etc.) and the institution that the student is admitted to; AND dependent on eligibility, subsidised accommodation and living costs, including meals. The bursary funding is for the duration of study and does not require any repayment.

Upon qualifying for the NSFAS bursary, a beneficiary is required to sign a NSFAS Bursary Agreement with terms and conditions. Beneficiaries will then be expected to:

• Comply with all academic requirements as set by institutions;
• Attend and participate in lectures, tutorials, and academic support programmes as required by the institution;
• Complete all set assignments and/or tasks as required in terms of the due performance requirements of the institution;
• Undergo all tests and examinations (written and oral) as required in terms of the due performance requirements of the institution.

Statement: 6 February 2019
NSFAS completes review of rejected applications and prepares for appeals

The online application process for 2019 NSFAS private accommodation allowances is open.

More information on how to apply for NSFAS Private Accommodation

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has completed all assessments of the 2019 applications of first time entering students. Of the 417 000 applications received, more than 300 000 students have been declared approved, pending registration at public institutions for NSFAS funded qualifications.

Read the full statement

Also see the following documents:

1.    NSFAS Bursary Information 2019: Admitted to Higher Education prior to 2018
2.    NSFAS Bursary Information 2019: FTEN and 2018 FTEN Renewals
3.    Annexure A: NSFAS Allowance 2019
4.    Annexure B: NSFAS Appeal Form (Application Review)
5.    Annexure C: NSFAS Appeal Form

Statement: 5 February 2019
Application form for NSFAS appeals

With reference to our previous communication (4 February 2019; "Students who had a gap year in NSFAS funding or failed to register previously and could not reapply for funding, must also follow the appeal process"). It is herewith confirmed the application form for NSFAS appeals from returning students who had NSFAS funding in 2018, but who did not meet the funding requirements for 2019, was received on Monday 4 February 2019 and is available on the UFS web. Students must please make sure that they appeal for funding on the correct application form.

These appeal-application forms as well as all relevant documentation must be handed in at the Financial Aid offices, George du Toit Administration Building, Room S011 on the Ground Floor.
 
The closing date for submission to Financial Aid is 8 March 2019.
 
Returning students in this category who appeal for 2019 funding may register provisionally and refer to the provisional-registration requirements and processes.


Statement: 4 February 2019
More information about NSFAS allowances

New first time entering students and 2018 first time entering renewals
Admitted to Higher Education prior to 2018

NSFAS appeals for rejected 2019 funding applications
The appeal process for first-time NSFAS applicants who do not qualify for 2019 NSFAS funding, may submit an appeal to have their applications reviewed. The appeal form is available on the NSFAS website. NSFAS will reconsider an unsuccessful funding decision based on the changed material circumstances of a senior student who applied for NSFAS for the first time. NSFAS intends to resolve these appeals within seven working days of receipt, unless there is insufficient information. The closing date for the appeal process of students who applied for 2019 funding prior to the closing date of 2 December 2018, is 8 March 2019.
 
The appeal process (media release) has been communicated through social media, Blackboard, emails, NewsFlash, the media, the UFS website, and the SRC.
 
It was also indicated that Financial Aid would be in a position to assist students with the appeal process from 1 February 2019. Students are therefore requested to visit the Financial Aid offices. Alternatively, students can submit appeals, together with the required documentation, directly to NSFAS at applicationreview@nsfas.org.za
 
The appeal-application form, as well as the media release, also indicates which documents students should bring along when they are appealing.
 
Students who had a gap year in NSFAS funding or failed to register previously and could not reapply for funding, must also follow the appeal process.
 
The appeal process for 2018 NSFAS-funded students (returning students) who no longer meet the criteria for funding in 2019, will be communicated as soon as we receive official communication as well as application forms for completion from NSFAS. This will be a different process with a separate appeal-application form.



Statement: 25 January 2019
NSFAS completes review of rejected applications and prepares for appeals

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has completed all assessments for the 2019 applications of first-time entering students. Of the 417 000 applications received, more than 300 000 students have been approved, pending registration for NSFAS-funded qualifications at public institutions.
 
According to André Badenhorst, Deputy Director: Financial Aid at the University of the Free State, this process is only for students/applicants who applied for 2019 NSFAS funding prior to 2 December 2018. The appeal process for continuing/returning students who had NSFAS funding in 2018, will be communicated as soon as we receive official communication from NSFAS in this regard. It would be a different process with a separate appeal application form.
 
“Financial Aid offices will be in a position to assist students with the appeal process as from Friday 1 February 2019,” he said.
 
The closing date of the appeal process for students who applied for funding in 2019 prior to the closing date of 2 December 2018, is 8 March 2019.

Read the full statement