NSFAS Appeal Process 2024-2025 | How To Apply For NSFAS Appeal 2024

NSFAS Appeal Process: More than 300 000 unsuccessful applicants have been invited by NSFAS to submit appeals for 2023 after their applications were denied. Ernest Khosa, the chairperson of NSFAS’ board, made the announcement during a joint media briefing with the DHET on NSFAS’ readiness for the 2023 academic year.

Currently, NSFAS has received over 1.5 million applications for the year, but has rejected over 300 000 due to a variety of reasons. The NSFAS has now released a statement inviting applicants who were rejected to appeal to its Independent Appeals Tribunal.

What is NSFAS Appeal?

An appeal is a formal request by an applicant to have NSFAS review their declined application, hoping there was an error and NSFAS will subsequently fund them. It is the student’s responsibility to appeal the application status within 30 days of receiving it.

The first step to lodge an appeal is to log into your myNSFAS account and fill out the relevant information.

Who may Lodge an Appeal?

NSFAS is able to hear appeals from students whose financial aid applications have been rejected/whose aid has been withdrawn. The outcome of the appeal depends on the organization’s budget availability, and appeals will only be considered for students who have applied for financial assistance through NSFAS.

Who may NOT Lodge an Appeal?

Students may not lodge an appeal if they:

• Are engaging in a qualification that NSFAS does not fund
• Have obtained an N+2 (N+3 for students living with disabilities)
• They have previously been denied NSFAS funding because of not meeting the eligibility criteria for a gap year
• Students enrolled at an institution that has not submitted their registration records to NSFAS (in this case, students should contact the institution to inquire)
• Students at institutions that have submitted incorrect registration records to NSFAS should contact the institution (in this instance, questions should be directed to the institution).

What are some of the Reasons for Lodging an Appeal?

1. Exceeding the income threshold:

Appeals will be considered if you are a student who exceeds the income threshold in the following situations:

• Your household income has changed since you submitted your NSFAS application. If you find yourself in this situation, it is vital that you provide adequate evidence to NSFAS in your appeal
• Since your application was submitted, your household breadwinner has become incapacitated/died
• A court has declared you independent of your biological parents and determined that they are no longer responsible for your application/maintenance (including your education).
• You are from a child-headed household, which has been proven by a submitted report of the Department of Social Development by a registered social worker.
• As a result of your parents’ divorce, the court has determined that the child maintenance (including your education costs) is to be paid exclusively by one parent who meets the financial eligibility requirements.

2. Failing to meet the academic eligibility:

If you have not met the academic eligibility criteria and wish to appeal, you may do so if you meet one of the following criteria:

• In your previous academic term, you were not an FTN/FTEN student AND you failed to complete your academic term due to a severe illness that extended beyond two months during your academic term.
• The death of an immediate family member has occurred during your academic term
• The victim of a violent crime (such as rape or abuse)
• While your institution is evaluating you and completing the NSFAS standard propensity letter (which confirms that you will complete your qualification within an additional academic term), you have fallen pregnant and given birth.
• You have a medical report that proves your disability prevented you from completing your academic term. The institution has also evaluated you and completed the NSFAS standard propensity letter, which ensures that you’ll complete your relevant qualification in another academic year.
• If the academic results received by NSFAS were incorrect, you can provide evidence

How do you submit an appeal?

• Login to your MyNSFAS account
• Click on the ‘Track Funding Progress’ portal
• Click on the application progress tab
• You can submit an appeal if you receive an unsuccessful message for your application status by clicking the ‘Submit Appeal Tab’.
• The ‘Application Appeal page’ will then inform you of the reason why your application was unsuccessful
• Next, choose the appeal reason
• Make sure to upload certified supporting documents that can prove your appeal’s validity
• Click on ‘Submit Appeal’
• Your myNSFAS account will now allow you to track your appeal’s progress

For NSFAS applicants who wish to lodge an appeal, a propensity letter must also be downloaded and completed.

Visit NSFAS Official Websited