NSFAS is set to announce the opening date of 2022 NSFAS applications this week. Thousands of students and prospective students have been eagerly awaiting this day.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will be making announcements on the opening of the NSFAS funding applications for the 2022 academic year and the overall readiness of the Scheme.
The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, will host a briefing on Thursday, 28 October, where we will hopefully get an official opening and closing date for NSFAS bursary applications for 2022.
The briefing will be held from 9am until 12am.
In a statement released by NSFAS, they said that the Minister, along with the NSFAS Chairperson, Ernest Khoza, will “provide an update on the enhancements made on the NSFAS funding application portal”.
The online applications for 2022 are for applicants who would need government bursaries to further their studies at any of the 25 public universities or 50 TVET Colleges including students who previously studied without NSFAS.
Usually, NSFAS applications open in August or September. However, this year a delay was seen. NSFAS explained the reason behind the delay by saying:
We are finalising relevant upgrades to our systems to ensure a smooth application experience for you.
The Minister visited the NSFAS head offices today to confirm the NSFAS 2022 applications readiness. He was then taken through a live demonstration of the 2022 application process to highlight the systems enhancements as well as the expected student experience.
After the Minister approved the opening of the applications, Khoza said that this shows that NSFAS is heading into the right direction.
“We appreciate the confidence and the support the new NSFAS Board and management is receiving from the Minister. Our team has demonstrated to the Minister all the stages each application will go through when submitted by an applicant. We were able to assure the Minister that we are much better prepared to deal with any challenges that may come,” said Mr Ernest Khosa.
Nzimande also had a message to Matrics starting their exams tomorrow, saying:
I wish the Matric class of 2021 all the best for their Matric exams. I urge them to be cool, calm and confident.
He continued to say, “the post-school education sector is ready and also NSFAS is ready to receive your applications for those who qualify”.
