NSFAS receives over 190 000 applications in two months

There are only 30 days left before the closing of the applications for 2019 student funding. NSFAS Applications will close officially on 30 November 2018.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is calling on all young South Africans who have not yet applied for 2019 financial aid to submit their online applications or visit their nearest National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) centres before the closing date.

Applications opened on 1 September 2018 to anyone wishing to further their studies in 2019 on an approved course at any public university or TVET college in South Africa. “Since the application cycle opened, we have received 191 887 applications. This number is more than double the equivalent number in October 2017, when only 90 000 applications had been received.”

“On average, NSFAS has been receiving 3 500 applications a day. The numbers can be attributed to the easy-to-complete online application system that allows applicants to complete the application within 5 minutes. “Our Partnerships across the country have also improved our outreach”, said Randall Carolissen, NSFAS Administrator.

At the beginning of the campaign, NSFAS partnered with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to utilise their branches in all 9 provinces to support online applications and to receive and capture manual applications, onto the online system. More than 30 000 students have been assisted through the NYDA branches since the opening of applications.

NSFAS has communicated to all Vice-Chancellors and TVET Principals that the closing date for applications is 30 November 2019 and that no extension will be granted. Institutions were also informed that NSFAS funded students, with a confirmed bursary offer, should not pay a registration fee when they present themselves for registration in January 2019.

We wish to emphasise that there will be no extended window period for the 2019 applications, therefore NSFAS will not accept any late applications after the 30 November 2018 deadline.

Important message for applicants:

1. Do not change your cellphone number or email address used for the application. These will be used by NSFAS to
communicate the result of your application to you.

2. Applicants who wish to inquire about their application status, or contest funding decisions can do so by calling NSFAS contact centre toll free number 0860 007 327.

3. NSFAS will only fund applicants who have been accepted on an approved course at a university or a TVET college.

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