Was Your 2023 Nsfas Application Rejected? Here’s What To Do

Applying for NSFAS funding is often a stressful process, especially when waiting to hear if you’ve been approved. If your NSFAS application has been rejected, there are the steps you can take to try again for funding.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has rejected several student funding applications, for various reasons.

Applications for funding for the 2023 academic year closed on 31 January, 2023. NSFAS revealed that over 1 million applications from students hoping to study at tertiary institutions in 2023 were received.

However, not all students who submitted applications qualify for funding.

According to NSFAS:

1. A total of 941 491 applicants have been approved for funding, pending registration at a public university of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college.
2. Approximately 206 701 applications are awaiting evaluation, while 37 854 are awaiting financial eligibility assessment and confirmations from third parties.
3. 317 335 applicants, unfortunately, were unsuccessful due to not meeting NSFAS funding requirements.

While some students are still waiting for a response from the financial aid provider on whether or not they’ve been approved for 2023, NSFAS has already made funding decisions for First-Time Entering (FTE) SASSA applicants. 

A funding list for non-Sassa applicants, as well as returning students, has been released to institutions. Applicants were also informed of their statuses via email and SMS, using the details provided during the application process.

When an application has been rejected, there are a few reasons. These include:

1. The applicant is deceased as per records from the Department of Home Affairs
2. The applicant is not financially eligible (household income exceeds the income threshold)
3. The highest level of qualification at which NSFAS may fund has already been achieved by the applicant
4. Insufficient information provided, and as a result, NSFAS cannot make a funding decision
5. Invalid National ID and/or names and surnames provided by the applicant
6. The applicant is not compliant with the Academic Eligibility Criteria
7. The applicant may have exceeded the N+ Rule 
8. The applicant is not Eligible for NSFAS funding, because they are funded by another bursary provider

NSFAS appeals have opened; unsuccessful students wishing to appeal the scheme’s funding decision can do so via their myNsfas account, where they’ll be directed to the appeal tab for supporting documentation to be uploaded.

If they meet the NSFAS bursary criteria, there is a good chance their rejection will be overturned and receive funding for 2023. Unsuccessful NSFAS applicants have until 20 February 2023 to submit an appeal application.

How To Appeal An Unsuccessful Nsfas Application

1. Log into your myNSFAS account.
2. Click the ‘Track Funding Progress’ option.
3. Check the application progress tabs.
4. If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, you may submit an appeal by clicking on the ‘Submit Appeal Tab’.
5. Once you are on the ‘Application Appeal’ page, you can see the reason for your unsuccessful application status.
6. You are then able to choose the appeal reason.
7. Upload certified supporting documents to support your reason.
8. Click ‘Submit Appeal’.

Once an appeal has been lodged with NSFAS, the bursary scheme will take around 30 days to respond to the appeal.

If an applicant’s appeal is successful, they will receive comprehensive funding for their higher education. NSFAS bursaries cover tuition and accommodation fees, and also provide students with a transport allowance, meal allowance and a book allowance.