Requirements to Maintain NSFAS Funding
If your studies have been approved by NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme), there are certain requirements you need to meet in order to continue receiving funding from them until you complete your qualification. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Maintain a High Level of Academic Performance
You must adhere to all the academic requirements set by your institution and maintain a high level of academic performance. This includes attending academic support programs, lectures, and tutorials as required by your institution. You should also complete all the tasks and assignments assigned by your institution and take all the tests and examinations, both written and oral.
Pass Rate Requirements
If you are a first-time student, you must achieve a pass rate of 50% in your previous academic term. Continuing university students, on the other hand, must achieve a pass rate of 55% in their previous academic term. This pass rate requirement is necessary for continuing students who fall under the N+2 definition according to the Higher Education Institutions N+ rule. It is important to meet this requirement in order to enroll at a university.
Confirmation of Progression
At the beginning of each academic year, NSFAS will confirm with your institution whether you have met the requirements for progression according to the standard institutional policy and approved rules applicable to your specific program of study.
N+ Rule
NSFAS has a specific rule, known as the N+ rule, that allows students to receive funding for a certain number of years. If you need to repeat a course, NSFAS will fund you for an additional year if it is deemed necessary. Previously, NSFAS operated as a loan scheme where students were required to repay the funds they received. Under this category, students are subject to the N+2 rule. Essentially, this means that you have five years to complete a three-year course while being funded by NSFAS. It is important to complete your studies within this timeframe to avoid facing unaffordable education costs.
Bursaries and the N+1 Rule
In contrast to the N+2 rule for loans, bursaries now follow the N+1 rule. This means that if you are pursuing a four-year qualification, you will be given five years to complete it. Any additional years will have to be funded independently. The N in the N+1 rule represents the number of years you have been enrolled in your program. It is worth mentioning that the year you take a gap year will not be counted towards the N+1 rule.
NSFAS is committed to providing bursaries to students from poor and working-class backgrounds who are registered or planning to register at public universities and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges.
By meeting these requirements, you can ensure that your NSFAS funding continues throughout your studies until you successfully complete your qualification.
