The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has opened its doors to all deserving students who require financial assistance for 2017.
NSFAS is calling upon all educators and parents to remind the Grade 12 learners to submit applications before November 30, this push is due to the small number of applications it received from learners who are in matric.
#NSFAS is concerned over the low number of matric students applying for assistance – you have until end of November
— South African Heroes (@SA_Heroes) November 1, 2016
On August 1, NSFAS opened centralised applications for the 2017 academic year, inviting all learners who are currently in matric to submit their applications before the above-mentioned closing date.
#NSFAS Message to all Grade 12 learners: There are only 30 days left before NSFAS closes the applications period for financial aid for 2017
— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) November 1, 2016
Since NSFAS opened the centralised applications on August 1, more than 195 668 students have managed to visit the website and were able to successfully register and created the myNSFAS accounts on our website.
The account gives you access to your personal profile as a student or as an applicant and the account also allows you to complete the application form online, attach supporting documents and submit all within 10 – 15 minutes.
It also allows you to save your application and come back later to continue if needs be.
You can even monitor the stage through which your application has gone.
CEO Msulwa Daca said: “This is a concern because the reason for the early opening of applications is to be able to assess all applications early and communicate with the applicants before January 2017.
“We also extended applications to students who are currently studying at universities and TVET colleges who are not funded by NSFAS, as well as all students who were previously funded by NSFAS but were not funded in 2016,” he said.
Daca said the financial aid scheme has received thousands of manual applications via post, fax and email.
“We have taken a decision that as we slowly introduce the online base system; we are never going to do away with the manual application forms.
“As much as the online system is easier for us, we are also considerate of the learners that are in rural areas and have no access to connectivity. For this we have put in little mechanisms that will help us to provide support for rural areas,” said Daca.
All paper applications forms can be posted to this address: NSFAS Loans & Bursaries Department, Private Bag X4, Plumstead, 7801.
All faxed applications can be sent to this fax number: 086 644 2822.
All emailed applications can be sent to this email address: apply@nsfas.org.za
Alternatively call 0860 067 327.
