EXPLAINER: Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?
Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande has announced that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will open its applications on 2 November for students who need funding for the 2022 academic year.
While the need for funding has increased due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not all students will qualify for funding assistance.
Nzimande said funding for university and TVET College bursaries for poor and working-class students through the NSFAS increased by 107% from R20 billion in 2018 to R42 billion in 2021.
However, the minister also admitted there is still a shortfall in funding.
Nzimande says students with households with less than R350 000 annual income can apply.
“Students qualify to get NSFAS funding if you are a South African citizen or permanent resident who plans on registering or already studying at a public university or TVET College in South Africa and they will fall within one or more of the below categories
- SASSA grant recipients (the SASSA COVID-19 grant does not count)
- Persons whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per year
- Persons living with disabilities with a combined household income not more than R600 000 per annum.”
Nzimande reiterated that supplying the correct supporting documents is vital to ensure funding is approved and paid on time.
“Students must go through the list of required supporting documents to ensure that they have all of them before they start with the application process.”
The documents include a copy of the applicant’s ID and copies of ID for parents or guardians and proof of income.
Nzimande said no affidavits will be accepted as proof for any funding requirement.
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