NSFAS 2019 applications to open on Monday

Thursday, August 30, 2018

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applications for new applicants in 2019 will open on Monday, Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor said on Thursday.

The announcement follows the Minister’s meeting with the NSFAS administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen, in Cape Town, on Wednesday.

“The decision to open the applications was taken after a process of testing the 2019 applications with a focus group of high school learners yielded positive results in terms of accessibility and user friendliness,” said the Minister.

The scheme has put in place a comprehensive communications plan, which involves partnering with institutions of higher learning and training, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), community structures and organisations to ensure that all eligible students are reached.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Training said once a student has applied to the NSFAS, the maximum waiting period before getting a notice of acknowledgement is a week.

Should a student not receive the acknowledgement, they are requested to call NSFAS’s toll free call centre on 08000 NSFAS (67327).

The Minister called on all students to make sure they inform the NSFAS of their change of contact details, particularly cell phone numbers, as this is the primary communication tool to inform students of the disbursement of funds.

Students can immediately update their details on MyNSFAS Online portal. All institutions of higher learning will be capacitated to assist with NSFAS applications. – SAnews.gov.za