2020 NSFAS applications open
Students who were funded in the previous year need not apply, funding will continue should they meet the NSFAS progression criteria.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/112/2019/09/DEPUTY1.jpg)
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) opened online applications on September 1st and they will be closing on November 30.
The eligibility criteria were changed when former President Jacob Zuma announced that South Africans would be getting fee-free higher education. To be eligible to apply for NSFAS you need to:
1. Be a South African citizen
2. Intend to enrol at any of the 26 public universities, or 50 TVET colleges in 2020
3. Come from a family with a combined annual household income of not more than R350 000 per annum
4. If you are a student with a disability and come from a family with an income of not more than R600 000 per annum
5. Agree to the terms and conditions of the NSFAS grant or bursary awarded
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Prospective students need to be aware that they need to secure a spot at a university or TVET college before they can receive funding from NSFAS. “I urge all aspiring students to ensure that while they apply for funding to NSFAS, they have also submitted the necessary applications to universities and TVET colleges. Potential students must obtain a place to study at a qualifying institution to qualify for NSFAS funding. You can get more information from the DHET career services hotline, Khetha,” said Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande.
Students who were funded in the previous year need not apply, funding will continue should they meet the NSFAS progression criteria. Those who applied for the 2019 academic year but were not awarded funding should apply again. The minister also announced that he would be appointing a ministerial task team which will review the NSFAS business processes and functionality to improve its long-term functionality.
“I would like to urge young people aspiring to attend our public TVET colleges and universities from 2020 to utilise the online applications system and other access points, to apply on time for funding, to ensure that decisions can be made timeously, and to utilise the toll-free NSFAS number for queries. I wish all applicants the best of luck,” the minister concluded.
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