Nearly 95% Of TVET College Students Are Funded By NSFAS

NSFAS offices in Cape Town

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme provides comprehensive bursaries to deserving students at public tertiary educational institutions in South Africa, which includes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

There are 50 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges across the country where students can apply to study and gain skills that they will need to find employment in South Africa.

These institutions offer practical vocational training programmes and technical skills development courses to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to work in a range of fields.

According to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) almost 95% of students enrolled for TVET colleges courses are funded by NSFAS and students who have a grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 certificate can apply to study at a TVET College.

The last chance for students enrolled in approved programmes at TVET colleges to apply for NSFAS funding during the Semester 2 application window has passed and closed, meaning the Trimester 3 application window will soon open.

NSFAS Trimester 3 applications for TVET College students will open on 4 September 2023 and close on 20 September 2023.

NSFAS Eligibility for TVET Colleges

The NSFAS criteria for TVET students are as follows:

• Must be a South African citizen
• Must be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any public TVET College in South Africa
• Must be admitted/received a firm offer for enrolment in a College
• Must be in need of financial assistance
• Applicants will qualify if they fall within the maximum threshold of up to R350 000 of combined gross family income per annum
• Returning students must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance (academically deserving) in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher)
• Must not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded

NSFAS Allowances For TVET students

The allowances received by TVET college students vary depending on where they live. This as some students will live in college residences while others may stay in private accommodation.

The NSFAS bursary provides comprehensive funding to qualifying students and aims to cover all the costs related to their studies. This includes:

• Accommodation in an urban area: R24,000 annually
• Accommodation in a peri-urban area: R18,900 annually
• Accommodation in a rural area: R15,750 annually
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution): R7,350 annually
• Living expenses allowance: R7,000 annually
• Incidental/personal care allowance: R2,900 annually

Where to apply for TVET College funding?

• National Certificate Vocation (NC(v)), Semester 1 and Trimester 1 — Annual — online application and walk in assistive capture application at the beginning of each year.
• Trimester 2 & 3 as per DHET calendar, in May and September respectively, also Walk in assistive capture application.
• Semester 2 June — July walk in, assistive capture application.

Students can apply through:

1. TVET college bursary offices
2. Online
3. NSFAS head office

How To Submit Your Online NSFAS Funding Application

Applications for the NSFAS bursary must be submitted online through the NSFAS website.

Step 1: Visit the NSFAS website.

Step 2: Click on the ‘myNSFAS’ tab.

Step 3: Create a myNSFAS account.

Step 4: Click on the ‘APPLY’ tab and complete the sections on the screen.

Step 5: Upload required supporting documents where applicable.

Step 6: Click on ‘Submit’

What is Needed For NSFAS Applications

TVET college students are required to submit documents to support their NSFAS bursary application.

• Your own cell phone number and email address.
• A copy of your ID or birth certificate.
• ID copies of parents, guardian or spouse (or death certificate where applicable).
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).
• Your proof of income or 1 year’s IRP5 (if applicable).
• Your parents, guardian or spouse’s proof of income; if you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required.
• A court order (if applicable).
• Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form.
• An applicant who is recognized as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form.

Students are advised to submit all the necessary supporting documents to avoid any delays in the application process or being rejected by NSFAS.

How To Track Your NSFAS Application

1. Visit the NSFAS website.
2. Click on the “myNSFAS” tab on the menu bar at the top of the page.
3. Log in to your myNSFAS account using your username and password.
4. Once you are logged in, click on the “track funding progress” option.
5. Your application status will be displayed on the screen, indicating whether your application has been approved or not.

The final opportunity for applying for funding will be during Trimester 3 applications. Students who are yet to submit their applications have been urged to do so to avoid missing the deadline.

To find out more about the NSFAS bursary, applications and the latest changes, head to our NSFAS page.

This article was originally published on www.careersportal.co.za