As any previously rejected NSFAS applicant will tell you, the news can leave you feeling somewhat helpless. Thankfully the bursary scheme also allows you to appeal, provided that all the right steps are followed.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a critical resource for financially disadvantaged students in South Africa who wish to pursue tertiary education.
However, even with the best of intentions, sometimes students submit the wrong supporting documents with their NSFAS appeals. This mistake can have significant consequences for the success of the appeal.
If a student submits the wrong supporting documents with their NSFAS appeal, it can result in the appeal being rejected. This is because the scheme relies on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to them. Any discrepancies or omissions can result in delays or rejections of the application.
Students whose applications have been rejected are advised to submit an appeal within 30 days of receiving their application outcome.
Students can submit their NSFAS appeals, by lodging their appeals application online via their myNsfas account and applying the following steps.
Here’s How To Appeal Your Nsfas Rejection StatusÂ
- Log into your ‘myNSFAS’ account on www.nsfas.org.za​
- Click the ‘Track Funding Progress’ option
- Check the application progress tabs
- If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, you may submit an appeal by clicking on the ‘Submit Appeal Tab’
- You will then be able to see the reason why your application was unsuccessful
- You will now need to give a reason for your appeal
- Then upload certified supporting documents to support your appeal.
- Then click ‘Submit Appeal’
You can then track the progress of the appeal on your myNSFAS account after a few days. It is also important to note Nsfas will only consider appeals that are submitted by students who applied for financial aid.
Students have also been advised to submit their appeal along with supporting documents within the specified deadline.
These are some of the documents that students are required to submit to substantiate their appeal:
- Medical certificate
- Death certificate of an immediate family member
- Academic transcript
- Payslips or more depending on the reason for declined application status
To avoid submitting the wrong supporting documents with your NSFAS appeal, you are advised to carefully review the application requirements and ensure that you provide all of the necessary information. It is also important to provide accurate and up-to-date information to NSFAS.
If a mistake is made and the wrong supporting documents are submitted, you can still appeal the decision. However, this will require additional time and effort on your part.
Meaning that you will need to provide the correct supporting documents and submit a new appeal. This can result in further delays in the processing of your application, which can be stressful and frustrating.
