Who qualifies for NSFAS?

Who qualifies for NSFAS?

Blog Article

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded programme in South Africa designed to provide financial support to students who come from poor or working-class families and cannot afford the cost of higher education. NSFAS offers bursaries that cover tuition fees, accommodation, transport, learning materials, and even personal care allowances. However, not every applicant qualifies, as there are specific requirements that must be met to ensure the funding reaches the most deserving students.

To qualify for NSFAS, the most basic requirement is that the applicant must be a South African citizen. Permanent residents and foreign nationals are unfortunately not eligible for this government funding. Beyond citizenship, financial need is a key factor in determining eligibility. Students whose combined household income does not exceed R350,000 per year can apply. For students with disabilities, the threshold is more flexible—up to R600,000 per year. Furthermore, if an applicant is a beneficiary of a SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) grant, they automatically qualify for NSFAS based on financial criteria. This includes students receiving child support grants, foster care grants, or disability grants.

Another major eligibility condition is the academic requirement. Applicants must be registered or planning to register at a public university or TVET college in South Africa. Private institutions are not covered under the NSFAS scheme. New applicants need to have passed Grade 12, while returning students must meet the academic progression rules set by their institutions. Generally, NSFAS requires students to pass at least 50% of their modules to continue receiving funding. This ensures that students funded by NSFAS are progressing in their studies and making use of the opportunities granted to them.

NSFAS also caters to students in special circumstances, such as orphans, children raised in child-headed households, and those living in rural or informal settlements without a stable income. These vulnerable students may qualify even when formal income documentation is difficult to provide. The scheme takes a holistic view of applicants’ backgrounds to assess their genuine need for financial support.

There are, however, several groups who do not qualify for NSFAS. These include students whose household income exceeds R350,000 per annum (or R600,000 for those with disabilities), individuals who are already funded by another bursary or scholarship, and students who have already completed a prior qualification funded by NSFAS. Additionally, students who intend to study at private colleges or universities are not eligible, as NSFAS strictly supports public institutions only.

TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) college students are also included in the scheme, provided they meet all the financial and academic requirements. NSFAS funds students who are enrolled in NC(V) programmes, NATED/Report 191 programmes, and other approved qualifications offered at public TVET colleges. For continuing TVET students, passing the previous level is essential to remain eligible.