4 JANUARY 2016

ection 29(1)(a) of for first undergraduate our Constitution qualifications to poor and enshrines the academically eligible students fundamental at the 26 South African right to basic public Universities, as well education, including adult as bursaries for the National basic education. Section 29(1) Certificate (Vocational) and Students who qualify and (b) provides for the right to certain NATED courses at 50 receive NSFAS funding are further education, (university TVET colleges. not required to pay registration education and technical and Students at universities fees at universities. Up to 40% vocational education and who are assisted receive an of the loan may be converted training (TVET). upfront allocation for their into a bursary dependent Government has an studies by way of low-interest on the student’s year-end obligation, to progressively, loans. The NSFAS TVET results. If a student, studying through reasonable measures, college bursary is provided to towards a three year degree, make this education available students who wish to obtain is awarded a loan of R40 000, and accessible to all. This a first qualification at any and successfully completes the resonates with the Freedom public TVET colleges in South first two years of study, R16 Charter, which states that Africa. This is a bursary and 000 will be converted into a “Education shall be free, not a loan and therefore does bursary each year. compulsory and universal not have to be repaid. Government has further for all children”; and “higher given effect to the Polokwane education and technical Available funding resolution by introducing, in training shall be open to all 2011, the conversion of the by means of allowances and The funds allocated to NSFAS loan to a full bursary scholarships, awarded based NSFAS have increased for university students who on merit”. substantially, from R441- complete their final year of an The Constitution (and million in 1999 to R9.5- undergraduate qualification Freedom Charter) does not billion in 2015/16 financial successfully. The final-year identify further and higher year. The total number of programme rewards students education as a fundamental students assisted by the by converting their final year right in the same way it does entity in the 2014 academic loans into a full bursary if they basic education, nor does year consisted of 228 642 successfully pass and graduate. it promise “free” further students at 50 Technical and If a student is awarded a college. Students qualify for NSFAS will dispatch roving and higher education. Vocational Education and loan of R60 000 in his/her NSFAS funding if they are teams to give operational Availability, in the context Training (TVET) Colleges and final year, and successfully South African citizens and are support to Financial Aid of our Constitution, refers 186,150 students at 25 public graduates, the R60 000 is registered at a South African Officers at Non Student- to the creation of learning universities and one National converted into a 100% bursary. public higher education Centred Model institutions as spaces to increase enrolment, Institute for Higher Education. This means that if a student institution or TVET college. required. and accessibility refers to NSFAS funds are expected to is successful and completes The student has to demonstrate affordability, without exclusion increase to R10-billion in the in minimum time, then 60% potential for academic success NSFAS student- on the basis of financial need. 2016 academic year, assisting of the full loan (R140 000) and be financially eligible. centred model - Pilot Recognising that limited more or less the same number due to NSFAS is effectively The decision to allocate funding constrains the ability of students if substantial converted into a bursary and funds is based on the student’s NSFAS implemented the of the state to provide free additional funding is not will not have to be repaid. financial need and ability student-centred model that education for all, the 1997 found. NSFAS is not able to These loans (capital and to demonstrate academic will enable the organisation White Paper 3 endorsed assist all current financially interest) are repayable as soon success. Students are ranked to build a direct relationship the principle of cost needy students at the levels as the student begins to work according to financial need with students from the initial sharing, where the costs for required to meet their tuition and earns more than R30 000 and their academic results. Top application phase until higher education is shared fees, accommodation, meals, per year. The parents of the achievers are given preference, completion of their studies. between public and private books, etc. student are not responsible as avaialble funding is limited. Students who wish to study beneficiaries. The White NSFAS funding does not for repaying the loan. If the Staff at the Financial Aid at any of the following Paper 3 also emphasises that cover students from families student never earns gainful Office will be able to assist institutions should apply online finances should not prohibit who are not poor enough to employment (they remain with financial aid application directly to NSFAS: students from accessing higher qualify for NSFAS in terms of poor) the loan is not repayable process and will administer the education. It further declares the threshold, but are not able and will be written off. NSFAS financial means test to * University of that financially needy students to finance their education – the It is important for NSFAS assess whether or not a student Technology; should be supported with so-called “missing middle”. beneficiaries to repay their is eligible for financial aid. upfront payments to ensure The National Development loans. These repayments are * Nelson Mandela that they are not denied access Plan suggests that these returned to the pool of funds Closing dates Metropolitan University; to higher education. students should be covered by made available to assist future for financial aid loans underwritten by State generations of poor students. applications * ; The National Student sureties. A process led by the If NSFAS receives R500- Chairperson of the NSFAS million in recoveries per year Financial Aid Scheme First time applicants * University; Board is currently underway an estimated additional 7 000 (NSFAS) must contact the Financial to find mechanisms for students can be funded at an Aid Office at the institution * ; supporting students through average NSFAS award of The government established where they wish to study affordable loans. R71 000. NSFAS as a loan and bursary regarding closing dates for * UNISA; scheme towards fulfilling NSFAS applications. Closing its constitutional obligation Loans & Recoveries Who qualifies? dates differ from institution * King Hintsa TVET College; of ensuring access to higher to institution. All first-time and further education to poor Interest is charged one year A student first has to apply applicants and returning * Motheo TVET College; students. NSFAS provides after a student has successfully for academic acceptance at a students have to check with income contingent loans graduated or exited the system. public University or TVET their financial aid offices or * Umfolozi TVET College; NSFAS (if the institution is part of the NSFAS pilot) * South Cape TVET College; to ascertain if applications and received after the closing dates will be considered, depending * Ekurhuleni East TVET on the availability of funds. College JANUARY 2016 5

It can take up to a month bursary? after the closing date. This also differs from institution All subjects accepted by the to institution. learning institution of your choice. 3. If I fail, do I have to pay criteria to enable academically back my loan? 9.What is the interest rate on able NSFAS students to a NSFAS loan? complete their qualification. Yes, once you have completed your studies or The current interest rate on a have dropped out, and you NSFAS loan is 4.6%. Other funding are working and earning opportunities over R30 000 per annum, 10.If I have another bursary you are then required to pay from another company, can I Bursaries for specific fields back your loan. Bursaries are still apply at NSFAS? of study are also available, e.g. not repayable. the Funza Lushaka Bursary for Yes, you may still apply for teaching from the Department 4. How much will my NSFAS funding, provided of Basic Education (certain parents have to earn in that bursary does not cover teaching subjects only), order for me to get a loan at the full cost of your studies bursaries for social work NSFAS? for that year. studies, as well as bursaries for various scarce skills such Through the institutions, Peatl Whittle is a Director: as engineering, IT, through NSFAS administers a means Management Support in the National Skills Fund and test, which looks at family the Department of Higher SETAs. income and expenses to Education and Training. Students are also advised determine eligibility. to consult their respective For more information financial aid offices for 5. Are there costs involved to contact the NSFAS Call other bursary opportunities apply for NSFAS loan? Centre on 08600673227 and website for bursaries- or send an email at info@ southafrica.co.za where a There is no cost involved in nsfas.org.za. You can wide range of bursaries are applying for NFAS loan. follow NSFAS on Twitter The online application is not have a green bar-coded ID, offered by both government @NSFAS1and Facebook accessible via the NSFAS a certified copy of the birth and the private sector. Please 6. Is there a cut-off date for and visit www.nsfas.org.za note the closing dates for these website at www.nsfas.org.za. certificate must be submitted. application at NSFAS? for further information. In addition, NSFAS has If the applicant has been bursaries. selected the following 12 exempted from paying school Yes: to find out closing TVET Colleges to join the fees, a letter from the school Frequently asked dates, the student needs to Student Centred Model as part must be provided. Where questions: contact the NSFAS Contact of the phase 2 implementation applicable, copies of statement Centre, the institution’s plan for the 2016 academic of UIF, SASSA grants, and 1.When I get the loan, Financial Aid Office and year: Erkhuruleni West TVET any other income must be where does the Student Support Office as College Gauteng, Kempton submitted as well. money go? the dates differ from one Park Central Johannesburg Continuing students institution to another. College, South West TVET The NSFAS rules Once a student has College, Tshwane North indicate that students been funded by NSFAS the 7. Can I study at a private TVETCollege, Tshwane need to pass 50% of their funds are paid directly to the institution such as Varsity Orbit FET College North registered courses, meet the institution where the or College with a West (Gauteng) Rustenburg progression requirements of student is studying. NSFAS loan? Vhembe TVET College, the university and complete No, NSFAS does not fund Cape Town TVET College, their qualification within up 2. How long does one students who are studying at Northlink TVET College West to two years of the prescribed have to wait before being private colleges. Coast TVET College, False period to qualify for continued informed about the success Bay TVET College, Buffalo funding. It is expected that all of the application? 8.What subjects must I have City TVET College and institutions should apply these to qualify for the loan and Port Elizabeth FET College. NSFAS has planned and will provide onsite support to these institutions. NSFAS will use the registration process at the TVETs to capture the student application as well as the means test.

The required documents for application are listed below:

Certified copy of the applicant’s South African Identity Document, certified copy of Identity Document of each household member including parents or legal guardian of the applicant, and proof of your household income (i.e. copies of parents’ salary advice, SASSA letter, etc.). If the applicant is younger than 16 years of age and does