More than 1.6 million bursary applications were considered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for the 2023 academic year. The scheme has now finalised the funding list and students have been informed of the outcome of their bursary applications.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) has released the funding list for returning students and non-Sassa applicants. The funding list has been sent to public institutions of higher education around the country.
After the release of the Nsfas funding list, students who applied for funding were informed of their bursary application status via SMS using the contact details they provided when they submitted a Nsfas application.
Nsfas has urged all bursary applicants to check their messages, email accounts and their myNsfas accounts for application results. Once the student knows the outcome of their bursary application, they may be required to take further action to secure funding for the 2023 academic year.
A total of 941,491 students who submitted Nsfas applications were approved for funding in 2023. Approximately 206,781 applications are awaiting evaluation while 37,849 students are awaiting financial eligibility assessment and confirmations from third parties.
A student’s application status will either state application approved or the application unsuccessful.
‘Application Approved’ indicates that a student has been provisionally approved for funding for the upcoming academic year.
Nsfas will only begin making payments towards a student’s studies once the university or TVET college submits the applicant’s proof of registration. Students are advised to register at the public institution of their choice for a Nsfas-funded course if they are not yet registered.
Application Declined indicates that a student does not meet one or more of the requirements for funding.
Nsfas revealed that 317,335 bursary applications were unsuccessful. The financial aid scheme said the unsuccessful applicants did not meet the funding requirements.
Applicants for Nsfas applications were unsuccessful and can appeal the decision made by Nsfas. The appeal application must be lodged within 30 days of receiving the application results. About 11,239 appeals have already been received by Nsfas.
“Appeals will only be considered for students who submitted their applications for funding during the 28 September 2022 and 31 January 2023 application window and the outcomes are subject to budget availability,” declared Nsfas.
Students who require assistance with challenges related to their Nsfas funding can have the challenges resolved at their university or TVET college campus. This comes as Nsfas deployed officials to campuses around South Africa to assist students.
