NSFAS has invited more than 300 000 unsuccessful applicants to file appeals for 2023. An announcement of NSFAS readiness for the 2023 academic year was made by Ernest Khosa, the board chairperson.
NSFAS has received over 1.5 million applications this year, but has rejected over 300 000 for a variety of reasons. NSFAS has now issued a statement inviting rejected applicants to appeal to its independent appeals tribunal.
A formal appeal is a request to have NSFAS review a declined application, hoping there was an error and NSFAS would subsequently fund the project. The student must appeal the application status within 30 days of receiving it.
Log into your myNSFAS account and fill out the relevant information to lodge an appeal.
NSFAS accepts appeals from students who have been rejected for financial aid, or whose financial aid has been withdrawn.
- Budget availability determines appeal decisions.
- NSFAS will only consider appeals from students who have applied for financial aid.
Students cannot appeal if they:
- Are registered for a qualification that NSFAS does not fund;
- They have reached N+2 (or N+3 in the case of disabilities students).
- The student is a gap year student who NSFAS previously denied financial aid to because s/he did not meet academic eligibility criteria.
- NSFAS has not received the institution’s registration record or the record is incorrect, so enquiries should be directed to the institution.
What Are Some Of The Reasons For Appealing?
1. Exceeding the income threshold:
Students who exceed the income threshold will be considered for appeals if they fall into the following categories:
- Since you submitted your NSFAS application, your household income has changed. The evidence you provide to NSFAS in your appeal is vital if you find yourself in this situation
- In the time since your application was submitted, your household breadwinner has become incapacitated or died
- Your biological parents have been declared independent of you, and they are no longer responsible for your application/maintenance (including your education).
- A registered social worker has submitted a report to the Department of Social Development confirming that you live in a child-headed household.
- Due to your parents’ divorce, the court has determined that only one parent is eligible to pay child maintenance (including your education costs).
2. Failing to meet the academic eligibility:
You may appeal if you have not met the academic eligibility criteria and meet one of the following criteria:
- Due to a severe illness that lasted longer than two months during your previous academic term, you were not an FTN/FTEN student during your previous academic term.
- During your academic term, a member of your immediate family has passed away
- An individual who has been the victim of a violent crime (such as a rape or abuse)
- During the time your institution is evaluating you and completing the NSFAS standard propensity letter (which confirms that you will complete your qualification within an additional academic term), you have become pregnant and given birth.
- According to your medical report, your disability prevented you from completing your academic term. Furthermore, the institution has evaluated you and completed the NSFAS standard propensity letter, ensuring that you will complete your relevant qualification in another academic year.
- NSFAS can provide evidence of incorrect academic results.
You will need to provide supporting documentation when filing an appeal. Documents such as these may include:
- Personal statement: Provide a concise statement explaining your appeal, highlighting any qualifying circumstances or changes.
- Academic records: You should provide evidence of your academic progress, such as examination results, transcripts, or certificates.
- Financial records: Gather any supporting documents, such as bank statements, proof of income, or any other financial information, if your appeal is based on financial difficulties.
- Certificates of health and death: Include medical certificates or any other document that proves the condition implicated in your appeal if your appeal involves health or death issues.
How To Apply For NSFAS Appeal 2024
- Login to your “MyNSFAS” account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress” portal.
- Click on “Application progress” tab.
- Click the “Submit Appeal Tab” if you receive an unsuccessful message about your application status.
- The “Application Appeal page” will then tell you why your application was denied
- Next, select the “Appeal Reason.”
- Make sure to upload certified supporting documents that prove your appeal’s validity.
- Click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Your myNSFAS account will now track your appeal progress.
Financial Hardship/Family Circumstances
- Since the submission of your application, the main source of income for your household has become incapacitated or has passed away.
- A court has ruled that you are independent of your biological parents and that your parents/guardians are not responsible for your education.
- According to a social worker registered with the Department of Social Development, you belong to a child-headed household.
- As a result of the divorce decree, the court has determined that one parent is responsible for child maintenance, including education expenses, and that the responsible parent meets financial eligibility criteria. Your parents are divorced and have divorced.
- In your previous academic term, you were not a FTEN (First Time Entrant) or FTN student.
- Inability to complete your academic term successfully is caused by severe ill health for at least two months during the academic term or during examinations OR
- In the past academic term, someone in your immediate family has died
- A violent crime occurred to you or you witnessed one
- During the academic term, you became pregnant and gave birth, and your institution has evaluated you and completed the NSFAS standard propensity letter confirming that you will complete your qualification within an additional academic term.
- You are living with a disability and a medical report indicates that you have failed to complete your academic term due to your disability, your institution has evaluated you and completed the NSFAS standard propensity letter confirming the student will complete your qualification within another academic term OR
- It is possible to provide evidence that the academic results received by NSFAS are incorrect.
Ensuring awareness of NSFAS appeals is vital for those seeking financial aid. With over 300,000 rejected applications, understanding the appeal process and eligibility criteria is crucial. By providing necessary documentation and meeting specific circumstances, applicants can seek reconsideration for funding.
