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01 January 2021
Registration-5

 

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:

Nsfas 1

Nsfas edit

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

Click on the ‘Forgot your password?’ link:

Nsfas 1

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 visit Student Academic Services.
  • However, if your funding has been approved by NSFAS for a week and you have not received the SMS, please visit 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.

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?

NSFAS allowances will be paid during the first week of each month over a period of 10 months.  Please note that due to several variables a specific date for payment cannot be provided.

11.  What NSFAS allowances do I qualify for?

Information will be provided for 2021 once the DHET Guidelines is available.

 

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.

You only have to upload your banking details once.  If you experience any problems with regards to the upload of your banking details please contact Fundi at +27 8 60 55 55 44.

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

Information will be provided for 2021 once the DHET Guidelines is available

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 for a complete guide:

Students

Financial Aid

16.  How will the accredited private accommodation work?

If your landlord is not accredited, please refer him/her to the Department of Housing and Residence Affairs. No payments will be made in 2021 and onwards to landlords who were not accredited by the end of 2020. 

17.  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.  Please note that due to several variables a specific date for payment cannot be provided.

18.  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 2021 will be confirmed.

19.  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.

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

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

21.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.

22. 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.  

23.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.

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

The closing date for applications for private accommodation is 10 September 2021.  Please note that no extension will be given.

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

This process will be confirmed

 

Merit Bursaries 

 

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

You do not have to apply for a merit bursary.  The system will identify qualifying students and you will receive an SMS message to inform you of the amount you qualify for.

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

Please visit the UFS website for complete information regarding the merit bursary.

28.  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.

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

The merit bursary will be valid for five years.

30.  When will my merit bursary be paid?

The merit bursary payment will be done after registration. 

31.  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.

32.  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.

 

Financial Aid

 

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

Please visit the UFS website for bursary information:

34.  Where do I find Student Academic Services?

You can visit Student Academic Services at the following venues:

Bloemfontein Campus:  George du Toit Administration Building, First Floor

Qwaqwa Campus: Administration Building, Ground Floor

35.  Where do I find Financial Aid?

You can visit Financial Aid at the following venues:

Bloemfontein Campus:  George du Toit Administration Building, First Floor

Qwaqwa Campus: Administration Building, Ground Floor, Room 17

36.  Where do I find Student Finance?

You can visit Student Finance at the following venues:

Bloemfontein Campus:  George du Toit Administration Building, First Floor

Qwaqwa Campus: Administration Building, Ground Floor

 

 



News Archive

UFS policies want to help all students
2005-03-09

The death of Hannes van Rensburg, a first-year student from the JBM Hertzog residence, this past weekend, placed various aspects of student life in the spotlight.  Dr Natie Luyt, Dean:  Student Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS), and the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the UFS explain which policies are in place to counter these practices.

At all tertiary institutions there are rules and policies to guide students and provide direction for certain behaviour and practices.  The same applies to the University of the Free State (UFS).

“At the beginning of the year the UFS provides every residence committee with a manual to establish a framework for meaningful and orderly relations within and among residences on the campus,” said Dr Natie Luyt.

However, it is one thing to set rules, but it is an impossible task to enforce all aspects thereof.  Policies currently in place include an alcohol policy, a policy on the induction of first years and a policy on banned practices in residence orientation. 

“The alcohol policy was compiled in cooperation with students and their input was constantly asked,” said Dr Luyt.  We also liaise on a continuous basis with residences and senior students to encourage the responsible use of alcohol, especially around activities like intervarsities and Rag. 

In the policy, recognition is given to the right and voluntary and informed choice of every individual to use alcohol on the UFS campus in a responsible way. 

Guidelines for the use of alcohol on campus include among others the following: 

Only authorised points of sale will be permitted on campus.  In this case it is the various league halls in most of the male residences on campus.

Alcohol will only be made available during fixed times and is not permitted in residence rooms.    

All alcohol-related functions are regulated and an application for a temporary alcohol license must be obtained from the Dean:  Student Affairs.     

The UFS obtained a liquor license in March 2004 which must be administered by senior leagues in various residences on campus.   Normal liquor license conditions and the county’s liquor laws apply.  Liquor can only be sold to members of the senior league (or special guests) and also to persons over the age of 18 years.  Liquor may not be used in public (outside the senior league) or on campus.    

The senior leagues may only be open three nights per week and within prescribed times.  No liquor could be used in any other place than the senior league halls.  Senior leagues could buy liquor from club monies generated by themselves. 

The right of senior leagues to serve liquor was suspended by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, on Monday 7 March 2005 – pending an investigation of the recent events on campus. 

The policy on banned practices include among others that no swearing and shouting at first-years may take place, no first-year student may be targeted individually, no senior may enter the room of a first-year student without an invitation or permission from that first-year student and no senior under the influence of alcohol may have contact with first-year students. 

The induction of first-year students takes place by means of three functions, namely an information function (the introduction to the various facets and possibilities of the university system), an induction function (the first-year student becomes involved in various campus and residence activities) and a development function (the first-year student is motivated to take charge of his development potential). 

No first-year induction activity may commence before the residence committee’s contracting with the senior students is not completed.  This meeting is attended by the residence head and all senior students.  The induction policy, residence induction policy of first-year students and first-year rules are discussed.

The senior students sign an attendance list to show that he/she was informed about the policies.  A senior who does not sign, may not be involved with any induction session with first-year students.  

No physical contact is allowed during the conclusion of the first-year students’ official induction period.  The induction of first-year students as full members of the residence is a prestige event, presented by the residence committee.  No physical or degrading activities may take place. 

The Dean:  Student Affairs also has a daily meeting with the primarii of all the residences during the induction period.  This helps to monitor the situation and counter any problem behaviour or tendencies.

“Enforced behaviour – where a senior student forces a first-year student to do something against his/her own free wil – is not allowed.  Where there is any sign of this, it is met wortel en tak uitgeroei,” said Dr Luyt.

“In any group of people – whether it is a group of students or people at a workplace – there will always be those who will break the rules or those who would like to see how far they could push it.

The SRC, the UFS management and myself are and will stay committed to make each student’s life on this campus a school of learning and an experience which would be remembered for ever,” said Dr Luyt.

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