NSFAS for UNISA Courses

NSFAS funding is available for most UNISA courses, even though it is not a traditional University. There are conditions as to who can apply, and certain courses will not be funded. 

Courses that will not be granted NSFAS funding

There are very few courses that will not be granted funding, and they are: 

• Short courses
• Part-time studies
• Postgraduate studies
• Second degrees

This means that as long as you are studying full-time, and you are studying for an undergraduate qualification, you can get NSFAS funding, provided you qualify to apply for it. 

How to know if you qualify for NSFAS funding

Funding is limited, and so strict conditions are in place for who can apply and qualify for NSFAS. These restrictions are: 

• Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be applying or accepted at a university.
• Sassa grant beneficiaries immediately qualify.
• Should have a combined household income below R350 000 per year.
• Persons living with a disability should have a combined household income of R600 000 or less per annum. 

Remember that this does not guarantee you NSFAS funding, this just means you are eligible to apply. 

How to apply for NSFAS

There are two ways to apply for NSFAS: 

• Online 
• Hard copy 

For both, you will need to have certified copies of the following documents, which must not be older than 3 months. Your documents must be certified at the South African Police Service or the South African Post Office. If you are under the age of 18 or if you are 18 and older and are STILL DEPENDENT on the household income of your parent or legal guardian, then this also applies:

• A valid copy of your South African ID or unabridged birth certificate. If you are younger than 16 years of age, and do not have a green bar–coded ID or smart ID card, you must submit a certified copy of your unabridged birth certificate.
• IDs of parents and/or guardian (death certificate if applicable)
• IDs of each person living in your household
• Proof of annual household income of your parents or guardian or yourself if employed, such  as a payslip or appointment letter (This is for all types of employment or all forms of income for all members of the household. This includes any income received from SASSA grants, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), or any retirement, life, disability or other benefits paid as a lump sum or in monthly payments.)
• A certified copy of your latest academic transcript or exam results. (If you are currently in Grade 12, you do not need to submit this)
• University registration documents (if applicable)
• Travel and Accommodation documents (if applicable)
• Proof of marital status (if applicable)
• Download and complete the consent form and fill it in with signatures of all people whose incomes have been declared in the application.
• If you have a disability, download and complete the Disability Annexure A Form

Online

Register online as a user on myNSFAS or re-register a myNSFAS account. 

• Go to www.nsfas.org.za
• Click on “myNSFAS” tab
• Click on “Register“
• Tick the box to allow NSFAS to verify your details
• Then enter your ID number in the field as it is stated on your South African Identity Document (ID)
• Type in your full names and surname as per your ID document
• Type in your current email address
• Confirm your email address
• Type in your cell phone number
• Create a password
• Confirm password
• Upload your ID Copy
• Click on register
• An OTP (One Time Pin) will be sent to the email and cell number provided (this OTP expires after 24 hours)
• Type in the OTP and click submit
• You have now completed your re-registration
• Click the APPLY tab to be directed to the online application form.

Hard Copy

• Visit one of the application centers where you will be given a hard copy of the application form to fill in
• Use a black pen to complete the nsfas application form and write within the blocks with CAPITAL letters
• Do not cancel out any text and make sure to write clearly
• Have parents/guardians sign the consent form
• Have certified copies of the listed supporting documents and attach them to the application form by stapling before submission
• Documents must be certified on the front side of the page and should not be older than 3 months
• Sign the completed application form and submit it to one of the NYDA (National Youth Development Agency) assistants.
• The application will be attached with a barcode. Wait for the acknowledgement of the receipt card with the duplicated barcode.

Also read: NSFAS Preparing To Open Student Applications For The 2022 Academic Year