BURSARIES AND STUDY LOANS INFORMATION PACK

[Pages:89]Updated 27 February 2014

BURSARIES AND STUDY LOANS INFORMATION PACK This document serves as a guide to the what, where, when and how to apply for a study bursary for students who are intending to further their studies at South African Academic Institutions

Disclaimer: Users of this guide are advised to contact the respective organisations, companies and Departments who are offering bursaries or loans as the information provided here may change at any unforseen time.

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Financing your Study

There are a number of funding options available to South African Students:

1. Bursary is a monetary award that is granted on the basis of financial need and good performance. The recepient either does not have to repay the bursary or will pay by working for the sponsoring company for the number of years for which he/she received the bursary.

2. Scholarships are merit-based and are awarded for academic achievement.

3. Study loan is the money that you borrow to cover the costs associated with your tertiary studies and needs to be repaid. A loan should only be given out by a registered financial insitution.

National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa (NSFAS)

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa (NSFAS) is providing financial aid in terms of study loans and bursaries to financially needy and academically deserving South African students to further their education at public FET colleges and universities/universities of technology. It supports those who do not have financial means to fund their studies and/or cannot access bank funding, study loans or bursaries.

NSFAS Bursary

Currently NSFAS is administering various bursary funds, namely:

1. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme that promotes teaching in public schools. Full-cost bursaries are available to enable eligible students to complete a full teaching qualification in an area of national priority. Recipients of these bursaries will be required to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they receive the bursary. For more information on the study areas, criteria and contact details, consult pages on the bursary pack or visit

2. Social Work bursary

Bursaries for those interested in studying Social Work are provided by the Department of Social Development. (The student applies for the bursary at the Provincial Department's offices.) These bursaries have a work back condition - i.e. the student works for the Department of Social Development for the number of years for which he/she received the bursary (or longer). For more details on Social Work bursary contact: Ms Vuyelwa Mngadi at 012312 7294, email: VuyelwaM@.za or Ms Kefiloe Bosman at 012312722, email: Kefiloeb@.za

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3. National Skills Fund Bursaries from the National Skills Fund are available for students with a study focus in a scarce skills area. Universities/universities of technology determine which students qualify for such funds. There are no conditions attached to these bursaries. Scarce Skills Area Accounting Financial management Actuarial studies Auditing Business management Economics Physics Computer science Chemistry Geology Information systems Mathematical sciences Agriculture Statistics Financial Accounting Bio-technology Engineering For more details on these bursaries, contact the Financial Aid Bureau at the academic institution at which you are intending to study or you can directly contact NSFAS at .za or 086 006 7327.

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4. FET College Bursaries

Bursaries for the National Certificate (Vocational) and for certain NATED courses at FET Colleges are available for qualifying students. There is no employment condition attached to these bursaries. Students must apply for funding through the FET College's Student Support Services

For more information on NSFAS loans/bursaries call 086 006 7327

Website: .za

5. Bursaries for students with disabilities

If you have a disability, you must complete Annexures A and B which is available under the NSFAS website .za and submit them with your application form. You must provide proof of your disability and a quotation for assistive devices as required documents with the application form. Funding for assistive devices follows the same approval process as for financial aid. If you are successful in your application for financial aid and you have received notice of the final approval amount from NSFAS, you may arrange to purchase your assistive device through the student disability unit at the university or FET college where you are going to study.

The university or FET college can purchase the assistive device on your behalf. Please contact NSFAS on 086 006 7327 or visit your university student disability unit to get information about providers of assistive devices.

Should you require more information about NSFAS loans and bursaries for students with disabilities, please contact NSFAS 086 006 7327

NSFAS Loan

NSFAS loan does not cover registration fees except for students who qualify for full NSFAS awards (typically where the EFC / Expected Family Contribution is zero or close to zero).

Facts about NSFAS loans

The NSFAS loan attracts low interest rate which is lower than that of bank loans as it is subsidised by donations from government, private companies and overseas donors.

The interest rate is generally equal to the rate of inflation plus 2%. The 2% contributes towards the administration costs and any shortfalls, which allows NSFAS to continue helping students. Currently it is at 5.2%.

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The NSFAS loan will be repaid once the student starts earning a salary, if she/he is unemployed, a written proof in the form of an affidavit should be provided to the NSFAS head office. A telephone call will not be considered.

Depending on the student's academic results, portions of the loan can be converted to a bursary.

There are no guarantees or sureties when applying for NSFAS loans. What we we mean by guarantees or sureties? o Anyone with a sound financial status can act as surety and that person is normally responsible for the repayment of the student loan while the student is still studying.

What do you need to apply for NSFAS loan?

The following documents are needed when applying for NSFAS loan:

Certified proof of bank account. This can be a bank statement of a letter from the bank where you have your account

Grade 12 certificate Certified copy of your identity document or birth certificate if you are under 16

years of age Certified copy of identity documents of each household member including

parents or legal guardian If you have been exempted from paying school fees, please provide a letter

from the school informing NSFAS that you have been exempted Proof of parents' latest income (eg pay slip, pension, grant or affidavit if the

parent are unemployed) If your parents or the person who supports you or your legal guardian works

as an informal trader, please provide an affidavit signed by them to confirm this employment. If your parents are divorced or separated, please provide a statement detailing the maintenance order. Proof of registration of siblings (ie brothers, sisters who have registered for studies or at school) if they live in the same household If you have a disability, please complete the supporting documents Annexure A and Annexure B and submit them with your application form A Letter of acceptance from institution (university, university of technology) or provisional acceptance.

How and where do you apply for NSFAS bursary or a loan?

There are a number of ways in which students can apply for NSFAS bursary or loan.

1. Students who have applied and been accepted or provisionally accepted to one of the following institutions, can apply online directly to NSFAS. Students can also prtint the application form at .za or contact NSFAS office at 086 006 7327 to

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request the form. The institutions are: Durban University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality University, University of South Africa, University of Cape Town, University of Mpumalanga and Sol Plaatje University .

Your completed application and required documents can be sent to NSFAS using one of the following channels within the prescribed closing dates:

1.1 Hand in your completed form to the Financial Aid Office (FAO) at your university or FET college.

1.2 Scan and email your completed form to NSFAS at renewals@.za

1.3 Fax your completed form to NSFAS on 086 648 6673.

1.4 Post your completed form to NSFAS at: Private Bag X4, Plumstead, 7801.Printed application form together with the supporting documents can be send to NSFAS office by post to this address:

2. The rest of the students who have been accepted or provisionally can apply for NSFAS bursary or a loan at the institution at which they are intending to study.

General Instrustions on how to communicate with NSFAS

Please read these notes carefully before completing the Online Application Form. Make sure that you read every section and that the information you provide is accurate.

1. You must write your identity (ID) number in the top right-hand corner on every page of all your supporting documents.

2. NSFAS will only process the first application that we receive. Please do not submit more than one application unless NSFAS requests you to do so.

3. NSFAS requires a cell phone number or email address in order to communicate with you during the application process. If you do not already have an email address, you can create a free email account on at or at yahoo.co.za or any other free email service.

4. If your application is successful, NSFAS will use the cell phone number which you write on the application form to pay some of your student allowances by cell phone voucher.

5. If you do not already have a bank account, please open a bank account at any bank such as Postbank, ABSA, Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank or others. Some student allowances will be paid into your bank account.

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Eduloan Eduloan is the company which provides financial access to education in terms of loans for the South African students. Eduloan offices are located at all major campuses throughout the country for the students' convenience. Eduloan covers tuition fees, textbook laptops and accomodation . What do you need to apply for Eduloan? Anyone can apply on a student's behalf provided he/she is permanently employed and earning a minimum of R2000.00 per month. The person must not be blacklisted and be between the ages of 18 and 63.

Certified copy of ID (of the applicant) Salary advice Three months bank statement Quotation of the fees

How and where do you apply for Eduloan? Eduloan applications are obtainable from the Eduloan offices which are located at most of the institutions of higher education, alternatively applicants can apply online at this address: How do you pay back the Eduloan? The Eduloan should be paid back while the student is still studying. There are four options available for the loan payment, eg. 3 terms, 10 months, 16 months or 22 months.

How is the interest calculated on the Eduloan? The interst rate on the Eduloan differs according to the academic insitutions. Every insitution has a different interest rate. For more information on the Eduloan call 0860555544 Website: eduloan.co.za

Funding from the Banks ABSA Study Loan If you are enrolled, or in the process of enrolling as a full-time or part-time student at a University, University of Technology, Private College or FET College, your parent, guardian or sponsor can open a Study Loan on your behalf.

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An Absa Study Loan covers tuition fees, textbook and related costs.

What do you need to apply for ABSA study loan?

Proof of registration and studies fees quote Identity documentation Previous academic results A detailed breakdown of textbook costs Due to the fact that a Study Loan is taken out in the name of the sponsor,

sponsors must provide: Proof of earnings / latest payslip Identity documentation Banking details Marriage / divorce documentation if sponsor is / was married

How do you pay back the loan?

You only have to pay the interest on the loan while you are studying. The actual loan will be paid back once you finish studying; and there's a grace

period for those students who have to complete a period of community service or internship following graduation. If the student fails to complete the studies, he/she will be required to repay the loan immediately.

How much will it cost?

The monthly repayment amount is based on your risk profile and the terms of the loan.

How and where do you apply for ABSA study Loan?

ABSA student loan can be applied for over the phone at this number 0860100372 or applications can be done at the ABSA student Bureau nationally. The ABSA student Bureu centres numbers will be obtained by contacting 0860100372.

For more information about ABSA study loan call: 0860100372.

Website: absa.co.za

First National Bank (FNB)

Life Start Student Loan

Life start student loan is the FNB study loan available to South African students who cannot afford to pay for their studies at the institutions of higher education.

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