University of South Africa National Student Financial Aid Scheme

National Student Financial Aid Scheme loans and bursaries

All applications for student funding for 2018 must be submitted via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme website

All students with a household income of R600 000 or less are encouraged to apply for possible funding for the 2018 academic year. ALL applications must be submitted via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme website: www.nsfas.org.za

Please note the following important information:

• The deadline for National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding for 2018 is 30 November 2018. No late applications will be accepted. For more information on the application process or to apply, please visit www.nsfas.org.za or call 086 006 7327. Click here for more information.
• The closing date for applications for other funding opportunities will be communicated at a later stage. Please note, however, that ALL applications for funding must be submitted via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme website: www.nsfas.org.za

What is National Student Financial Aid Scheme?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is a statutory body, funded primarily by the South African National Department of Education and Training, which provides study loans to academically able but financially needy students who wish to study at one of South Africa’s public higher education institutions.

What is a National Student Financial Aid Scheme loan?

A National Student Financial Aid Scheme loan is an award that a student can receive from National Student Financial Aid Scheme upon applying and qualifying for such loan. This loan has to be repaid with interest (interest of each year is linked to the national inflation rate). A maximum award size is determined for each year by National Student Financial Aid Scheme. A portion of this award can be converted into a bursary based on academic performance. The size of this bursary is determined by the number of modules which the student has passed. A 100% pass rate will result in a 40% bursary rebate on this National Student Financial Aid Scheme loan.

National Student Financial Aid Scheme loan criteria

You may apply for a National Student Financial Aid Scheme loan if you are

• a South African student studying at a public South African higher education institution.
• an undergraduate student studying towards a first higher education qualification.
• studying towards a postgraduate qualification which is a requirement to practise in a chosen profession (eg Postgraduate Certificate in Education).
• studying towards any postgraduate qualification except the MBA, the MBL, the DBA or the DBL.
• able to demonstrate potential for academic success and that you are financially needy.

Application process
(including historic debt loans and postgraduate loans)

• Applications: Apply online at www.nsfas.org.za or complete the application form and submit it to [email protected]
• Appeals: Students whose National Student Financial Aid Scheme application was unsuccessful may appeal the outcome of their application by completing the appeals form and submitting it to [email protected]

Please note:

• Your application form must be fully and correctly completed.
• You must submit all the required documentation as part of your application.
• You must submit your application before the closing date as published on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme website: www.nsfas.org.za

What is a National Student Financial Aid Scheme bursary?

A variety of National Student Financial Aid Scheme bursaries exist, each with its own criteria. A National Student Financial Aid Scheme bursary is an award that a student receives upon application for such funding. This bursary award does not have to be repaid. However, if the student does not adhere to the bursary conditions, the bursary will be converted to a loan. This loan will have to be repaid with interest.

For more information on National Student Financial Aid Scheme loans and bursaries, please visit the National Student Financial Aid Scheme website: www.nsfas.org.za