Can’t afford to pay for your own studies? Join a government-funded training course and get financial support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme(NSFAS).
What is a TVET college?
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges have been established by government to respond to the scarce skills shortages in the country. A TVET qualification equips students with the vocational and occupational skills needed to find employment in South Africa. The colleges offer a variety of technical programmes that vary in duration allowing learners to choose between short courses and formal diploma programmes.
Who is NSFAS?
NSFAS is government’s leading agent for administering funds to underprivileged students in South Africa for the purpose of increasing access to higher education. Through its procedures and systems NSFAS identifies students who meet the criteria to receive financial support and dispenses funding accordingly.
NSFAS Funded Training
Both these government backed entities are working together to promote further education amongst poorer students. As a result NSFAS funds Ministerial approved programmes at TVET colleges. Students must find out from their respective colleges whether or not their courses are funded, however NSFAS has released a general list of funded programmes offered through TVET colleges. These include:
Engineering courses – (National Certificate -Vocational) NQF levels 2-4 & Report 191 N1-N6; Engineering and Related Design; Electrical Infrastructure; Civil Engineering Construction and Information Technology & Computer Science
Business courses – Business & Utility Studies (National Certificate – Vocational) NQF levels 2-4 & Report 191 N1-N6; Management; Marketing; Office Administration; Commerce courses – Finance; Economics & Accounting;
Hospitality and Tourism
SafetyTransport and Logistics
Education and Development
Pre-Learning Programme (PLP)
TVET College approved funded qualifications fall into four broad categories:
- Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP) – as this qualification is not registered on the NQF, NSFAS will only fund a student for one academic term on this qualification.
- NATED/Report 191 qualifications which are registered on the NQF as National N certificates, but NSFAS will only fund a student for one academic term on this qualification for Report 191 introductory courses.
- NC(V) qualifications which are registered on the NQF as belonging to the General and Further Education and Training Sub- framework, with the originator defined as Generic Provider – NCV and with the qualification type National Certificate.
- Occupational programmes which are listed in ANNEXURE A: occupational qualifications approved for NSFAS funding.
What does NSFAS pay for?
- Registration & Tuition Fees
- Personal Care Allowance
- Transport Allowance
- Accommodation Allowance
