CLOSING OF NSFAS APPLICATION PERIOD FOR 2017 FINANCIAL AID
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) received more than 380,000 applications for 2017 financial aid for TVET and university students since the new centralised application period opened on August 01, 2016. More than 130 000 online applications have been successfully completed, with necessary supporting documents, while more than 90 000 applications had outstanding documents.
Our online application portal experienced a heavier than estimated and expected active user load, ranging between 4,000 and 5,000 active users at any one time. This resulted in slow response times, which in turn affected students who were applying, and led to panicking students calling our Contact Center in high volumes.
We understand that most of our students were stressed in the last 24 hours leading to the deadline, as most waited until the last minute to make their submissions. Regardless of this last minute rush, our online application portal was able to process applications at its maximum capacity without falling over. Simultaneously, we have also received tens of thousands of applications via email.
We have begun the process of reviewing and evaluating all the applications and will require sufficient time to complete this. Our main priority at this stage is to ensure that the more than 100,000 manual applications are uploaded on the centralised system for processing. Applicants who have to submit outstanding supporting documents have been given until 10 December 2016 to do so. They can either logon to myNSFAS account www.nsfas.org.za or email supporting documents to apply@nsfas.org.za. No late documents will be accepted.
Applicants did not have to submit their academic results as NSFAS has made arrangements to receive them from Umalusi.
Students who are already funded by NSFAS in 2016 can still update their details on the NSFAS website. Their 2017 funding will automatically be granted without an application, should the compulsory academic performance be met.
NSFAS is committed to funding poor student from historically disadvantaged communities who seek financial assistance to study at any of the 50 TVET colleges and 26 public universities in South Africa. In light of this commitment, NSFAS will retain all the currently funded students and will migrate them into the new centralized system without them having to apply.
Students and applicants should wait for the outcome of the application process, to be announced through public media, tertiary institutions, SMS, email and other communication platforms available.
Obligation of applicant
- It is the responsibility of every applicant to inform NSFAS of any changes to the personal details such as contact details provided during application.
- NSFAS will not take responsibility for sending communication to invalid contact number, if it is not updated by the applicant.
- Check NSFAS website for updates on the next announcement or follow on twitter @myNSFAS or Facebook.
- Enquire through the 08600 67 327 Shared Call.
- Applicants with outstanding documents from submitted applications can still send the documents via email to apply@nsfas.org.za up until 10th December.
At this stage, there will be no further intake of application and the application period is now closed. Thank you.
Issued by:
Kagisho Mamabolo
NSFAS Spokesperson
Cape Town
Media Enquiries:
Tsepo Khanye on 021 763 3200 / 079 348 0894, E-mail: media@nsfas.org.za