POLOKWANE – Students looking to apply for financial aid through NSFAS can apply for the 2018 academic year.
From Tuesday, 01 of August 2017, the National Student Financial Aid will accept applications from anyone who qualifies to enter the post-school education system but cannot afford to finance their studies. Applications will be open from the 1 August to 30 November, 2017.
There are two ways through which potential students can apply:
1: Log onto the NSFAS website (www.nsfas.org.za), you will be asked to register and create an account in one simple step, and then proceed to complete the online application form.
2: Go to the NYDA branch (60 Schoeman Street, Shop 10, Crescent Building, Polokwane) where you will be assisted to complete and submit a manual application.
You will need to have certified copies of supporting documents ready before the application process begins – whether applying online or manually.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
1. Before applying you (an applicant) should have decided which course you want to study and at which public university/TVET college. You will need to select these choices in the application form.
2. Make sure you have electronic (and certified copies) of the following:
a. Your South African identity document/card or, an unabridged birth certificate
b. IDs of parents and/or guardian (or death certificate where applicable)
c. IDs of each person living with you in your home
d. Pay advice/letter of employment/pension advice (not older than three months)
e. Please download the consent form and fill it in with your parent/guardian’s signatures. Applications without a consent form that is signed by all people whose incomes have been declared in the application will not be accepted, and will be considered as incomplete.
f. If you have a disability, please download the Disability Annexure A and fill it in
3. When you provide your cellphone number on the application form, make sure it works and please do not change it afterwards, as NSFAS will use it to communicate with you during and after the application process.
Please do not provide someone else’s cell phone number as your contact number.
4. You will also need an email address. If you do not have an email address, you can easily create a email address online.
5. You must not apply if:
a. You have already applied and have an application reference number
b. You are not intending to apply for admission to a public university or TVET college
c. You already have NSFAS funding for 2017
d. You are not a South African citizen
6. For postgraduate studies, only students who plan to do the following postgraduate qualification may apply:
a. B Tech – Architecture/Architectural Technology
b. Tech – Biokinetics/Biomedical Technology/Biotechnology
c. Postgraduate Certificate in Education
d. Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, and LLB
7. Students wishing to undertake other postgraduate qualifications MUST NOT apply. These students will need to apply for the National Research Foundation fund when it opens for applications later this year. Information about this could be found on the NSFAS website.
raeesak@nmgroup.co.za