NSFAS News

Reasons Why Your 2023 Nsfas Application Could Be Rejected

Published

3 weeks ago

November 1, 2023

Applicants may be rejected if their application does not meet NSFAS requirements, here are reasons why your 2023 application may have been rejected.

Reasons Why Your 2023 Nsfas Application Could Be Rejected

A government bursary scheme, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), provides funding for disadvantaged South African students studying at a public university or TVET college.

Nsfas Application Opening and closing dates

The application period for the 2023 academic year will open on 28 September 2022 and close on 31 January 2023.

Nsfas accepts thousands of students through its bursary scheme, but many applicants have their applications rejected. Bursaries are usually not awarded to applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements.

NSFAS will provide an application status that explains why the application was rejected.

Here are reasons why your application may have been rejected

Status of NSFAS: Application is deceased: This NSFAS status can occur in two ways:
- Fraudulently applying under someone else’s name who is deceased is the intention of the applicant.
- The information on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) system is incorrect. To correct the information, applicants must visit the DHA in this case.
Status of NSFAS application: Application received after closing date
- No late applications will be accepted by NSFAS for 2023. NSFAS will reject your application if you receive this status once applications have closed.
- It is not possible to appeal this status.

Status of NSFAS: DHA Error
- Despite searching the Department of Home Affairs database, NSFAS was unable to locate the applicant.
- It is not possible to appeal this status.
Supporting documents are missing for NSFAS
- There is a lack of documents on the application that Nsfas requires.
- In most cases, the declaration form is missing.
- When an applicant does not have parents, they must submit a declaration form.
- It is possible to appeal this status.

NSFAS status: ineligible for NSFAS funding, other bursaries funded
- There is another bursary available to the applicant. If you receive other financial aid, you are not eligible for NSFAS.
- It is not possible to appeal this status.
NSFAS status: Income greater than R350k
- The main requirement for Nsfas is that an applicant (who is able-bodied) has a household income of less than R350 000 per year. Their application will be rejected if their household income exceeds R350 000 per year.
- It is not possible to appeal this status.

The income must exceed R600k to qualify for NSFAS
- A household income of less than R600 000 per year is a requirement for Nsfas applicants living with disabilities. They will be rejected if their household income exceeds R600,000.
- Appealing this status is possible.
The NSFAS status has changed from NC(V) to Report 191 in the academic career
- This is for students enrolled in TVET colleges. Nsfas has a set of rules when it comes to TVET funding, and if the rules aren’t followed, the application will be rejected.
- It is not possible to appeal this status.

Academic career change: NSFAS status
- This status cannot be appealed.
Achieved 50% academic progression but did not meet NSFAS requirements
- Students returning to school should use this form. For returning students to be eligible for NSFAS funding, they must meet academic requirements.
- It is not possible to appeal this status.
Status: highest qualification level achieved in NSFAS
- NSFAS no longer funds postgraduate courses and only funds undergraduate courses. Additionally, those who have already earned an undergraduate degree will not be eligible for funding.
- It is possible to appeal this status.
Status of NSFAS: incorrect progression
- This status can be appealed.
Status of NSFAS: N+ rule exceeded
- Students currently have N+1 years to finish their degrees under the N+1 rule. The number “N” is the minimum number of years it takes to complete a qualification (i.e. record time). The “+1” refers to the extra year a student may require to complete the qualification (for a maximum time of four years).
- There are conditions to whether you can appeal.