Grade 12 pupils and students, who want to apply for financial assistance to study at any of the selected public universities and TVET colleges in the 2016 academic year, have until 30 November to submit their applications.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says online applications are only limited to students applying to study at the following institutions: Durban University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Venda, Sol Plaatjie University, University of Mpumalanga, King Hintsa Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College, Motheo TVET College, Umfolozi TVET College, South Cape TVET College and Ekhurhuleni East College.
“Applications for financial assistance are only open to students from poor and working class families who cannot afford to pay for their studies,” NSFAS said in a statement.
“This may include eligible students who were not funded by NSFAS in the 2015 academic year and those who were not funded in the previous years.”
NSFAS opened online applications at the beginning of August 2015 to give applicants adequate time to submit their applications early.
This period allows NSFAS to directly receive applications, process them and award funding to eligible students using the new funding model.
Prospective learners are also advised to send their applications to the following postal address: Private Bag X1, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7801.
More than 30 582 online applications were received since the beginning of the application period and a significant number of applications have been processed thus far.
NSFAS will communicate with all applicants via SMS or email as soon as 2015 matric results are released.
Applicants can also contact NSFAS directly through the contact centre on 0860067327 or info@nsfas.org.za for further assistance.
The new model is part of the recommendations by the report of the Ministerial Review Committee on NSFAS. The model was piloted with approximately 15% of the NSFAS funded student population in the 2014/15 financial year, and it is expected to be rolled out to more institutions in the next financial year.
In essence, approximately 85% of the student population remains with the old model. R1.3 billion was disbursed via a new model to 67 277 students, including the R250 million paid through sBux voucher system for allowances (food, accommodation, books and transport). – SAnews.gov.za
