Urgent Call for Students to Submit Missing NSFAS Documents for 2025 Academic Year

Urgent Call for Students to Submit Missing NSFAS Documents for 2025 Academic Year. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is calling on students who have applied for bursaries or loans for the 2025 academic year to urgently submit any outstanding documents.

Don’t Use the Black Card for NSFAS Direct Payments

This request follows the provisional approval of more than 630,000 bursary applications and over 17,000 loan applications. Students who wish to secure funding for their studies must act swiftly to ensure their applications are complete and their funding can be finalized.

Since the launch of the 2025 NSFAS application period on September 20, the scheme has received an overwhelming number of applications. In total, 890,599 bursary applications and 61,271 loan applications were submitted.

Of these, more than 630,833 bursary applicants and 17,369 loan applicants have received provisional approval for financial assistance. However, these applications are only considered provisional, and students must submit any missing documentation for final approval.

List of Required Documents for NSFAS Application Completion

What You Need to Submit?

For your application to be fully processed and approved, it’s crucial to submit the required documents. Below is a list of documents that may be necessary:

1. NSFAS Declaration Form

• This form must be completed by the principal of your school or a non-South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) social worker. This is a vital document required for verification.

2. Orphan/Vulnerable Child Declaration Form

• This form is specifically for applicants under 18 years old. It needs to be completed by a qualified social worker and confirms your status as an orphan or vulnerable child.

3. NSFAS Consent Form

• Applicants must submit this consent form, which should be completed by the applicant themselves and/or their parent, guardian, or spouse. However, students who are SASSA recipients do not need to submit this form.

4. Court-issued Guardianship Proof

• If you have a legal guardian, a document issued by the court must be submitted to confirm this. If guardianship was not appointed by a court, applicants must submit an NSFAS declaration form to provide proof of guardianship.

5. Disability Annexure Form

• For students who have indicated that they have a disability, the disability annexure form must be completed by a certified medical professional, such as a medical doctor, optometrist, physiotherapist, or the head of a disability unit. This form helps confirm the student’s disability status and outlines the kind of support required for their academic success.

NSFAS Instructions for Document Submission

It is important for all applicants to note that only those who have been asked to upload additional documents should do so. NSFAS has emphasized that no further action is needed from applicants who have not received such communication.

The NSFAS has clarified that no decisions on funding will be made until all necessary documents have been submitted, and the applicant’s information has been verified. Therefore, it is imperative that students take immediate action to avoid delays in securing their funding.

Deadlines

The deadline for submitting missing documents is rapidly approaching, and students must ensure all required paperwork is submitted as soon as possible. Delays in submission could lead to delays in receiving feedback on your application status or may even result in a funding decision being postponed.

Conclusion

To ensure that your application for the 2025 academic year is finalized, make sure to submit all outstanding documents as quickly as possible. The NSFAS funding decision depends on the completeness and accuracy of your application. Students are urged to follow the guidelines closely to ensure they receive the financial support they need for their education.

How Does NSFAS Funding Work?