First day of online applications going smoothly, as expected
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) online applications for 2019, which opened today, are going smoothly without any technical glitches. At 10h00 of the morning of the first day for new applications, more than 400 new applications have successfully been submitted and more than 8 000 users have already visited the NSFAS website to learn more about the application step.
Applications will close on November 30, 2018, therefore new students and returning students without NSFAS registration should apply online at www.nsfas.org.za immediately and not procrastinate. The new application process takes only 5 minutes to complete and requires only a copy of the Identification Document (ID) for the applicant and parents, a payslip (of both parents) if parents earn an income, and a consent form to give the Scheme permission to verify income. Those whose parents are not working are only required to submit a signed consent form.
Continuing students who are funded by NSFAS this year will be contacted by NSFAS to sign their agreements online, if they have not done so already. They are not required to reapply as funding will automatically continue in 2019, if they meet the progression rule of 50% pass.
From September 17, 2018, applicants can also submit their paper applications at the nearest NYDA Offices across the country, where they will be assisted by a NSFAS official to capture the application. Public Universities and TVET Colleges will also be capacitated to assist with both online and paper application forms at the Financial Aid Office.
The NSFAS Administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen, says that the newly improved system allows each applicant to be considered with great care and enormous attention is given to evaluating every application. Therefore, the first applicant will be the first to know if they are funded or not.
“Each application will be treated equally by the NSFAS funding committee. Complete and submit your materials as soon as possible to ensure full and timely consideration of your application. There are tips and guidelines online and a YouTube channel for step-by-step information. You can also track and trace the progress of your application online by a simply login with your cellphone and ID
number.
“The opening of the 2019 applications has always been prioritised and we had to ensure that the Minister is satisfied with our progress on the 2017 and 2018 backlog before opening the window. We have successfully paid more than R1.2 billion to institutions and students since Thursday and today will continue to pay more. We have also sent remittances to every institution to ensure money is allocated to students accordingly without delays. I am happy that this has been welcomed by vice-chancellors, college principals and SRC positive progress towards assisting the students,” Dr Carolissen said.
More NSFAS officials will be deployed to institutions this week to support the application process and to continue assisting the students. Each applicant should have a working contact number that NSFAS will use to communicate throughout the process of evaluation and funding decision. Should this number change, it must be updated online immediately or via our TOLL-FREE number 08000 67327.
A consent form is compulsory for every applicant. Without this, NSFAS may not verify income as declared by applicant and thus may not conclude the funding decision.
No one is restricted from applying, however, funding will only be disbursed to those who have confirmed offers/ secured admission to study in 2019.
Enquiries:
Kagisho Mamabolo
cell: 082 0824876
Ms Phatisa Ntlonze
Communications Manager (Acting)
078144 5980 or media@nsfas.org.za
Notes to Editors:
How Your Application is Considered
- In our evaluation process, we give careful, individual attention to each applicant. We seek to identify students whose family income is below R350 000 per annum.
- Eligible students will receive confirmation of funding from NSFAS as soon as we obtain a proof of admission to study at any public college/university.
- Applicants are restricted from studying at other private universities as we do not fund any of their programs.
- You may apply today on our website as part of early applications, and you will be the first to get feedback. We will have to check from other institutions if you have been successfully admitted and you may have to wait until end of November to for us to make a final public college/university choice to where your funds will be paid.
- It will take us four weeks to complete your application and send you the outcome of your application from the date you apply. Matriculants may be impacted by the release of the final results.
- We will use your email address or cellphone number you give us to stay in contact with you duringthe process.
- After you have submitted your application, you can update your email address in the myNSFAS self-service portal.
- Your funding decision will be posted in the Status Portal online, and you will receive an email notification when the decision is available.
