NSFAS confirms 2022 extension: Good news for hopeful SA students
NSFAS hopefuls are in luck after the body announced an extension for those seeking to obtain bursaries in 2022.
South Africans who missed the deadline to apply for assistance through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) can breathe a sigh of relief. The government financial aid programme has confirmed that it has opted to extend the deadline and give hopeful students another opportunity to apply.
So when is the new NSFAS application deadline?
In a statement released to announce the extension on Thursday, the scheme confirmed that applicants now have until 21 January 2022 to apply.
“The National Student Financial Aid Scheme would like to notify all learners, out of school youth, and non-funded students, that after consulting with various stakeholders, the deadline for applications for the student financial aid has been extended to Friday, January 21, 2022. The previous deadline was Friday, January 7, 2022.”
Over 600 000 applications received
The body confirmed that it had, to date, received a staggering number of applications from those hoping to obtain the bursary which covers the full cost of study. This includes tuition, registration, learning material, meal allowances, accomodation and even a personal care allowance.
“To date more than 600 000 applications have been received from applicants who intend to further their post-school education at any of the 50 TVET colleges and 26 public universities. At least 505 820 are first-time applications.”
Interestingly, NSFAS confirmed that it has already approved an immense number of applications with 182 567 applications ‘confirmed eligible’ for funding instantly.
How to apply?
NSFAS applications can be submitted online through the myNSFAS portal which allows students to apply using a smartphone or computer. In order to do this a myNSFAS account must be created using your personal details.
Applicants will then be provided with a reference number as proof of their application. To qualify for the bursary, you need to be a South African citizen whose household income is not more than R350 000 per year.