Do NSFAS Application Documents Need to Be Certified?

No, NSFAS does not require certified documents.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NSFAS has removed the certification requirement for documents. As of 2024, Minister Blade Nzimande announced that only the NSFAS consent form needs to be submitted when applying for NSFAS funding. You will only need to provide additional documents if specifically requested by NSFAS.

In the following cases, you may need to submit documents:

Students with disabilities: Must provide a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form.
Applicants aged 34 or younger: If NSFAS cannot verify the parent-child relationship with the provided parent/guardian, you will need to submit a NSFAS Declaration form.
Other documents that may be required (if applicable):
Retrenchment letter
Death certificate(s)
Divorce decree
Proof of legal guardianship
Marriage certificate

The application system will generate a list of required documents based on the type of application you submit. If you receive a request to submit supporting documents after applying for NSFAS funding, log into your myNSFAS account to upload the necessary documents.

NSFAS, or the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, provides financial aid in the form of bursaries to higher education students, covering not just tuition fees but also registration, accommodation, transport, and books through NSFAS allowances. The organization operates under the oversight of the NSFAS board, guided by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande.