The deadline for applications for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursaries has been extended to 21 January. The previous deadline was Friday (07/01).
NSFAS, established by the South African Government in 1991, provides financial aid to eligible students from poor and working-class families who wish to study at public universities.
The bursary covers the full cost of study, including tuition, registration and learning material, as well as allowances for meals, accommodation, travel and personal care.
As there will be no further extension on the application deadline, applicants are urged to make use of the opportunity.
Prerequisites
To qualify for a NSFAS bursary, applicants must:
- be a South African citizen;
- have a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per year;
- live with disabilities with a combined household income not more than R600 000 per annum; or
- possess a valid permanent residency permit issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
Supporting documents
- All applicants must provide a copy of their ID document, Smart ID card (both sides of the smart ID must be provided) or a temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Applicants who do not receive South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants must provide proof of their own income, as well as that of of their parents, legal guardian or spouse, where applicable. Copies of their ID documents are also needed.
- Recipients of Sassa grants should provide their latest payslip, not older than three months, as well as an Unemployment Insurance Fund letter, appointment letter and retrenchment letter.
Application process
Applications are submitted online through the myNSFAS portal on nsfas.org.za, where students can submit applications using their smartphones or computer.
Applicants must create a myNSFAS account, then proceed to the application tab where they will fill in their personal details.
As proof that their applications have been successfully submitted, applicants must ensure that they receive a reference number when they have submitted their application.
