The NSFAS Appeal Process Provides A Second Chance For Students

Applicants whose NSFAS applications are rejected will have a 30-day window to file an NSFAS appeal. This appeal process includes a reassessment of the original application by the financial aid scheme, potentially changing a rejection to an approval. So far, more than 100,000 NSFAS applications have been denied, with over a thousand appeals already lodged. Upon making funding decisions, NSFAS will promptly begin the appeals process to ensure timely communication of appeal results to both students and institutions.

Here’s how you can appeal:

1. Log in to your myNSFAS account on the NSFAS website.
2. Click on the “Track Funding Progress” option.
3. Check the application progress tabs.
4. If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, click on the “Submit Appeal” tab.
5. On the Application Appeal page, you’ll see the reason for your unsuccessful application status¹².

Remember, the appeal process ensures that no qualified student is excluded due to procedural errors or incomplete information.

Out of the nearly 2 million NSFAS applications received, the breakdown is as follows:

• 967,303 have been provisionally funded.
• 779,769 are Sassa beneficiaries and have been immediately approved.
• 191,493 non-Sassa applicants have secured funding

However, many applicants have reported not receiving any response after applying. A significant number of applicants have stated that their NSFAS status remains unchanged at ‘Awaiting Evaluation’ and ‘Financial Eligibility’.

During a visit to the NSFAS offices, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, addressed these concerns, stating:

We are quite concerned. We’ve had a lot of queries from students, and prospective students who have applied for NSFAS and they have not yet received responses. I’m quite excited that there are plans that have been put into place to make sure that we, as speedily as possible, deal with this 

Manamela further emphasised, “Most of the universities will be beginning with their learning and teaching in the course of this month so we need all of this cleared up.”

Acknowledging the anxiety among first-time university and TVET College students, he added,

It’s quite an anxious period for especially those who are going to university and TVET College for the first time. I think for us to say to them that if we had managed by now, it’s been a short space of time since the results, to communicate about 900,000 decisions. It should be easier to complete the rest of the 311,000. I know if you’re the one who’s affected, the bigger picture doesn’t make sense.\ 

The Deputy Minister urged applicants to submit their NSFAS consent forms promptly to enable NSFAS to verify the household incomes of parents and guardians.

NSFAS Consent Form

NSFAS is urging all applicants to submit a consent form to finalise their 2024 NSFAS bursary application. Failure to submit this form may lead to delays in funding confirmation by NSFAS.

Download Consent Form

Applicants should note that failure to submit the consent form will result in delays in processing their applications. The consent form ensures NSFAS compliance with all SARS requirements.

How to Submit a NSFAS Appeal

1. Visit the myNSFAS website by clicking here

2. Log into your myNSFAS account.

3. Select the ‘Track Funding Progress’ option.

4. Check the application progress tabs.

5. If your application status indicates an unsuccessful outcome, click on the ‘Submit Appeal Tab’.

6. On the ‘Application Appeal’ page, review the reason for your unsuccessful application status.

7. Choose the appropriate appeal reason.

8. Upload certified supporting documents to substantiate your reason.

9. Click ‘Submit Appeal’