With just more than two weeks left before the closing of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) 2020 applications, NSFAS has received a total of 287 769 applications nationwide.
Applications for 2020 will officially close at midnight on Saturday November 30.
A total of 145 190 applications have also been received from SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply for funding. The NSFAS Disability Fund provides funding and support for students with disability, and 775 applications were received from students with disabilities.
When processing an application, NSFAS validates information with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and Department of Social Development (DSD), thereby getting a complete profile of an applicant and family. They take into consideration the total household family income, home affairs and social welfare status, higher education or admission status. Information about your school, and local municipality plays a crucial role in the 2020 application system.
To be eligible for NSFAS funding for university and TVET college studies, applicants should meet the following criteria:
Be a South African citizen;
Intend to enrol at any of the 26 public universities; or 50 TVET colleges in 2020;
Come from a family with a combined annual household income of not more than R350 000 per annum.
If you are a student with a disability and come from a family with an income of not more than R600 000 per annum. (Students with disabilities and students who are Sassa beneficiaries and those who are supported by parents who receive social grants automatically qualify for NSFAS, provided they fall within the set threshold.)
Agree to the terms and conditions of the NSFAS grant or bursary awarded.
All applicants will need the following supporting documents: a certified copy of their ID, not older than three months; and a signed and completed consent form (which can be downloaded from the NSFAS website).
If you are a Sassa recipient, you must provide a signed and completed consent form.
If you are dependent on your parents/guardian/spouse, you must provide certified ID copies of parent/s, guardian, spouse not older than three months and proof of income of parent, guardian or spouse (payslip or appointment letter).
If you are self-sufficient and employed you must provide proof of income (payslip or appointment letter) and IRP5 forms for the past three years.
If you have a disability, you must provide completed and signed Disability Annexure A (if your information is not pre-populated on the portal) which can be downloaded from the NSFAS website.
If you are an orphan you must provide an Orphan Declaration and Consent Form (which can be downloaded from the NSFAS website).
Other documents required, if applicable include retrenchment letter(s), death certificate/s and divorce decree.
The 2020 applications are done online through the myNSFAS portal (www.nsfas.org.za)
To apply, create a myNSFAS account on the NSFAS website, or use their social media accounts; Facebook and/or Google. Applicants with an existing account can sign in using their usernames and password or Facebook/Google accounts.