September 15th, 2019, Published in Articles: PositionIT

Information from SA Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

Prospective students hoping to study through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have been urged to take advantage of the NSFAS 2020 application roadshows to apply for funding. NSFAS provides funding to applicants who come from poor and working-class families. Prospective NSFAS beneficiaries need to complete and submit the application as soon as possible to ensure timeous consideration of their applications.

The roadshows which already started, aims to reach out to learners and out of school youth who need the funding but stay in areas where there is the challenge of application resources. During the roadshows, all qualifying persons wishing to further their studies in 2020 at any public university or TVET college in South Africa will get a chance to apply for funding before the closing date and get assistance from the NSFAS agents present on site.

The applications opened on 1 September 2019 and will close on 30 November 2019 at midnight. To date, NSFAS has received more than 42 000 applications. On average, NSFAS said it receives more than 3600 applications a day, with the number going as high as 5900 a day this week.

To qualify for NSFAS funding for university and TVET college studies, the applicant 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 combined household income of up to R350 000 per annum (up to R600 000 per annum if the applicant has a disability)
• Should not have received NSFAS funding in 2019. Those who were successfully funded previously, are automatically funded for 2020, provided they meet academic requirements.

The following documents need to accompany the application: a certified copy of your ID, not older than three months and a signed and completed consent form which can be downloaded from the website.

Additional documentation:

• If you are a SASSA recipient, please provide a signed and completed consent form. If you are dependent on your parents/guardian/spouse, please provide a 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 provide proof of income (payslip or appointment letter) and three years’ IRP5 forms.
• If you have a disability, provide a completed and signed Disability Annexure A (if your information is not pre-populated on the portal) downloaded on the website.
• If you are an orphan, provide an Orphan Declaration and Consent Form (excluding consent form).
• Other documents required, if applicable, include a retrenchment letter, death certificate/s or divorce decree.

To apply, an applicant needs to 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. Applications are done online through the myNSFAS portal (www.nsfas.org.za). Students can also submit their applications using their smartphones or computer.

NSFAS in partnership with Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Thusong Centres, and Department of Basic Education District Teacher Development Centres will provide applications resources across the country where learners can go in and apply. The District Teacher Development Centres are located in districts which are easily accessible to teachers from schools in the district. The centres have been equipped with ICT resources and internet connectivity.

For full addresses of all applications centres visit www.nsfas.org.za.

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