The National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Do you come from a poor or working-class family with a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per annum?
The Department of Higher Education and Training has a bursary designed to assist you with funding towards a tertiary qualification of your choice.
The bursary is administered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and is available for persons who wish to or are studying at a public institution of higher education and training (university or TVET college).
- Students from families with a combined household income of not more than R350,000 per annum, registering at TVET colleges and universities for the first time,
- Students returning to TVET colleges and universities to complete or continue their first undergraduate qualification. Only select postgraduate qualifications are funded, please refer to the website for the full list.
- Students from families with a combined household income of up to R122,000 returning to TVET colleges and universities after a gap year or two to complete their first undergraduate qualification.
- Students from families who are recipients of child support grants or disability grants administered through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will automatically qualify for NSFAS funding.
- Orphans will automatically qualify for NSFAS funding, provided there is confirmation of their status.
What the bursary covers
NSFAS funding covers the actual cost of tuition plus prescribed learning materials – this means the tuition fee for the specific programme that the student is registered for; these fees differ depending on the field of study (for example, engineering, medicine, art, or history) and the institution that the student is admitted to.
It is dependent on the eligibility of subsidised accommodation and living costs including meals.
The bursary funding is for the duration of the study and does not require any repayment.
Upon qualifying for the NSFAS bursary, a beneficiary is required to sign an NSFAS Bursary Agreement with terms and conditions.
Beneficiaries will then be expected to:
- Comply with all academic requirements as set by institutions.
- Attend and participate in lectures, tutorials and academic support programmes as required by the institution;
- Complete all set assignments and/or tasks as required in terms of the due performance requirements of the Institution;
- Undergo all tests and examinations (written and oral) as required in terms of the due performance requirements of the institution;
NSFAS funding for postgraduate qualifications
NSFAS only accepts funding applications for a limited number of postgraduate qualifications.
For more information on how to access this funding, click here https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/
Policy and Appeals
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa (NSFAS) has appointed WSU to administer loan and bursary funding on its behalf.
According to the terms and conditions of the agreement between these two parties, WSU is obliged to ensure compliance to all the minimum criteria and requirements as determined by NSFAS, from time to time.
The policy provides clear administrative policies and guidelines for the awarding of student financial aid for students at WSU.
Providing Guidelines for the Appeals
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has determined the basis for eligibility for financial aid in the Student Funding Services Policy.
Not all students who apply for financial assistance can be accommodated within the limited funding made available, and as such, there will be students whose applications for financial assistance will be declined on the basis of not meeting the criteria specified by NSFAS or the university, or where applications have been submitted late, incomplete or with incorrect information.
Should the student request details of the reasons for the refusal to grant credit, the university has an obligation to provide the primary reason for the refusal.
Should the student wish to contest this decision, then the student should be provided with an opportunity to appeal the decision through an internal university process.
This appeal must be in writing, must provide substantive motivation for such appeal, citing relevant and applicable facts.
Funding Inquiries
For details regarding financial funding, please contact NSFAS directly.