06 JANUARY 2020
APPLICATION OUTCOME FOR THE 2020 ACADEMIC YEAR
2020 applications:
Following the extensive outreach campaign, which saw NSFAS officials reaching out to small towns and rural areas, we are happy to report that by November 30, 2019 the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received a record number of 543 268 first-time ever applications (prior year 428 929) by the closing date of November 30, 2019. NSFAS has prioritised the poor and the vulnerable students and to this end just under 50% of applicants have been received from social grant beneficiaries.The personal details and social welfare status of all applications have been validated with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Social Development. This is a major improvement in NSFAS administration, as communication of funding decision prior to the commencement of the academic year will allow students to enrol at tertiary institution without having to pay upfront registration fees.
As in prior years it is expected that a significant number of students will apply after they have registered at TVET colleges in January 2020, in the previous year this category of students amounted to 160 000. NSFAS, in conjunction with the TVET sector, instituted additional administrative support to ensure rapid processing and turnaround.
Students previously funded by NSFAS and will be continuing their studies in 2020 will be funded based on progression results to be received from the institutions.
We are encouraged that most of our applications were submitted through our electronic portal with only 15 000 manual applications from prospective students. The highest number of applications received were from KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng. About 80% of applicants have indicated that universities are the first choice of study.
Funding decisions for the 2020 applications have been updated on the myNSFAS portal profiles. Applicants are advised to check and track their application status updates online. Applicants who do not have the myNSFAS portal profiles are encouraged to register on the website in order to ensure line of sight of their funding status.
Applications with outstanding supporting documents:
From the total number of applications received, 69 357 were incomplete or may have outstanding or incorrect supporting documents. Applicants with incomplete applications have been contacted by NSFAS over the festive season and as we are receiving the required documents, their applications will be processed for funding decisions.
The list of required documents which need to accompany each application is on the NSFAS website on www.nsfas.org.za
Funding decisions:
Of the 473 911 valid and fully completed applications received by closing date, 346 364 were declared eligible for funding at this stage, 36 865 were withdrawn, 28 979 not meeting the minimum funding criteria are being reviewed. The remaining 61 703 applicants submitted documents of poor quality, which were subsequently validated by Department of Home Affairs.
|
CATEGORIES OF COMPLETE AND VALID APPLICATIONS |
|
|
Eligible status confirmed |
346 364 |
|
Application withdrawn by applicant |
36 865 |
|
Personal details confirmed with Home Affairs, with poor quality |
61 703 |
|
Not meeting criteria, but subject to second round of review process |
28 979 |
|
TOTAL |
473 9199 |
Additional temporary staff have been employed during this application season to ensure that all applications are processed before the start of the academic year. Applicants and returning students may contact the Contact Centre Toll free number 08000 67327 on Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 17:00 daily alternatively send an email to info@nsfas.org.za. Students are encouraged to utilise their MyNSFAS portal for the latest update and information on their 2020 funding decisions.
Cautionary Notice
Students are advised to maintain the confidentiality of their passwords/ login details but also to ensure that the passwords are protected. Reset of password request is the biggest volume of enquiries by our Call Centre. Applicants should also be wary of scams and fake news disseminated in the social media. NSFAS will never request login or account details as this can only be changed by individual students on their portals.
Issued by:
Dr Randall Carolissen
NSFAS Administrator
Enquiries:
Ms Phatisa Ntlonze
Media Liaison Officer
Number: 078 144 5980 OR 064 890 0418
Email: media@nsfas.org.za
*The above contact details are to be used for media purposes only. For any other inquiries contact 0800 067 327*
10 Brodie Road, House Vincent 2nd Floor, Wynberg, Cape Town, 7800 Private Bag X1, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7801 T: 0800 067 327 | 021 763 3200 W: www.nsfas.org.za OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR The appointment of Dr Randell Carolissen as the Administrator to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is in terms of Section 17A (3)(a) of the NSFAS Act (Act 56 of 1999 as amended), effective from August 23, 2018 as published in the Government Gazette by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mrs Naledi Pandor, MP.
