The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has called on students applying for bursaries or loans for the 2025 academic year to urgently submit any outstanding documents.
With applications having opened on September 20, NSFAS has already received an overwhelming response, with 890,599 bursary applications and 61,271 loan applications.
As NSFAS begins the process of reviewing and verifying applications, it emphasizes the importance of timely submissions to ensure funding decisions can be made.
Current NSFAS Application Status
Category | Number of Applicants |
---|---|
Bursary Applications | 890,599 |
Loan Applications | 61,271 |
Provisionally Approved | 630,833 (bursaries), 17,369 (loans) |
While many applicants have been provisionally approved, incomplete submissions remain a challenge.
NSFAS is urging these students to adhere to the requirements and upload the necessary documentation as soon as possible.
Required Documents for NSFAS Applications
Applicants who have not yet completed their applications need to submit the following documents:
- NSFAS Declaration Form
- Must be completed by the school principal or a non-SASSA social worker.
- Orphan/Vulnerable Child Declaration Form
- Applicable for applicants under 18 years old.
- Must be completed by a social worker.
- NSFAS Consent Form
- To be completed by the applicant and/or their parent, guardian, or spouse.
- Note: SASSA recipients are exempt from this requirement.
- Court-Issued Guardianship Document
- Required if the applicant has a legal guardian appointed by the court.
- NSFAS Declaration for Non-Court-Appointed Guardianship
- Must be submitted when guardianship is informal and not legally appointed by a court.
- Disability Annexure Form
- For applicants with disabilities.
- To be filled out by a certified medical doctor, optometrist, physiotherapist, or a head of a disability unit.
- Should include details on the type of support required and how it will benefit the student.
Important Points for Applicants
- Upload Only When Requested: Applicants should submit documents only if NSFAS has requested them via official communication.
- Timely Submissions Are Critical: Applications will not be processed until all required documents have been verified.
- Final Decisions Pending Document Review: Funding outcomes will only be communicated once NSFAS completes its verification process.
How to Submit Outstanding Documents
Applicants can follow these steps to upload their documents to NSFAS:
- Log in to the NSFAS Portal
- Visit the NSFAS website.
- Use your registered email and password to log in.
- Locate Document Upload Section
- Navigate to the section for outstanding document submissions.
- Upload Documents
- Select and upload the required documents as specified in your communication from NSFAS.
- Confirm Submission
- Ensure all uploaded files are clear and legible.
- Submit and wait for confirmation.
What Happens Next?
- Once all required documents are submitted, NSFAS will verify the information.
- Students will receive updates via their registered email or phone number regarding the status of their application.
- Approved applicants will be notified about funding decisions.
NSFAS funding is essential for many South African students seeking higher education opportunities.
By promptly submitting outstanding documents, applicants can secure their place for financial assistance in the 2025 academic year.