Most NSFAS applications that fail do so on documents rather than on eligibility. The applicant qualifies, but the supporting evidence is incomplete, uncertified, illegible or missing an affidavit — and the application is rejected without the merits ever being considered.
This page covers what to prepare, in what form, and the specific document problems that cause most rejections. Assemble everything before the application window opens rather than during it.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
The core document set, which every applicant needs.
- A valid South African ID, or a birth certificate if you do not yet have an ID
- Certified copies of the IDs of your parents, guardian or spouse, and of household members who earn
- Proof of income for every person in the household who earns — payslips, pension advice slips, or SASSA grant confirmation
- An affidavit where a parent is unemployed, self-employed or untraceable
- Death certificates where a parent is deceased
- Proof of your own income, if you work
- A working email address and cellphone number, since all communication runs through them
Income and Affordability Requirements
Proof of household income is where applications fail most often. NSFAS assesses combined household income, so it needs evidence from everyone in the household who earns — not just one parent.
Where a parent is unemployed, a sworn affidavit stating that is required. Where a parent is self-employed or works informally, an affidavit setting out the nature and approximate value of the income is needed. Where a parent is untraceable or absent, an affidavit explaining the circumstances is required. These affidavits are commissioned free of charge at any police station, and there is no reason to pay anyone for them.
If you receive a SASSA grant, you qualify on the financial criterion automatically, which simplifies this considerably. Have your SASSA reference available.
Certification matters. Certified copies must be certified by an authorised person and must be recent, since NSFAS and institutions commonly require certification within a defined period. Certification is free at police stations. Uncertified or long-expired certification is a common rejection reason.
Credit and Financial Requirements
Additional annexures for specific circumstances. NSFAS provides specific forms that must be used where they apply, and substituting a letter for the prescribed form causes rejection.
Students with disabilities must complete the disability annexure, which requires confirmation from a registered medical practitioner and is what triggers the higher income threshold and disability-related support. Orphans, wards of the state and students in foster care have their own annexure and evidence requirements. Applicants whose circumstances changed — a parent who died or lost employment after the documents were prepared — should update the application rather than leaving old evidence in place.
Practical document quality problems. Photographs of documents taken at an angle, in poor light, or with corners cut off are rejected. Scan or photograph flat, in good light, with the whole page visible and every word legible. Check the file opens and is readable before uploading.
Keep your own copies of everything you submit, and note the date you uploaded each item.
Bursary applications are always free. No legitimate funder charges an application fee, a “processing” fee or a fee to release funding. Anyone asking for payment to secure funding is defrauding you. Apply only through the funder’s own official channel, and never share your login details.
Never pay anyone to complete an NSFAS application, and never share your myNSFAS username and password. People who take payment to “help” frequently change the contact details on the account so that you cannot access it afterwards.
Documents and Verification Required
The full checklist, to prepare before the window opens.
- Valid South African ID, or birth certificate
- Certified copies of parents’, guardian’s or spouse’s IDs
- Certified copies of IDs of household members who earn
- Latest payslips or pension advice for every earner in the household
- Affidavit for any parent who is unemployed, self-employed or untraceable
- Death certificate for any deceased parent
- SASSA grant confirmation, if applicable
- Disability annexure with medical confirmation, if applicable
- Annexure for orphans, wards or foster care, if applicable
- Proof of your own income, if you work
- Latest academic results
- A working email address and cellphone number
How to Apply and Improve Approval Readiness
Apply early in the window. Late applications are not considered, and applicants who begin gathering documents after the window opens frequently run out of time waiting for affidavits and payslips.
Track your application status yourself on the myNSFAS portal rather than waiting to be contacted. Where documents are queried, you generally have a limited period to respond.
- Assemble every document before the window opens
- Get affidavits commissioned free at a police station — never pay for them
- Have copies certified free at a police station, and check the certification date
- Photograph or scan documents flat, in good light, with the full page visible
- Use the prescribed NSFAS annexures where they apply, not substitute letters
- Keep your own copies and note upload dates
- Track your status on myNSFAS and respond promptly to queries
- Never share your login details or pay anyone to apply
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my parent is unemployed?
A sworn affidavit stating that is required. Affidavits are commissioned free of charge at any police station.
Where do I get documents certified?
Free of charge at any police station. Check whether the certification is recent enough, as a defined validity period commonly applies.
What if I receive a SASSA grant?
You qualify on the financial criterion automatically, which simplifies the income evidence considerably. Have your SASSA reference available.
Why was my application rejected when I qualify?
Most rejections are document failures — missing income proof for a household member, a missing affidavit, uncertified copies or illegible uploads — rather than eligibility failures.
Required documents, annexures and certification rules are set by NSFAS and revised. Confirm the current document checklist directly with NSFAS before the application window opens.