NSFAS Appeal: How to Appeal NSFAS Rejection 2024

If you are one of the NSFAS 2024-2025 applicants whose application was rejected and would like to dispute this funding decision, there are NSFAS appeal processes to follow and you have the right to appeal the decision. 

There is no exact NSFAS appeal closing date, however, you have 30 days to submit your appeal after the appearance of the “unsuccessful status” on your dashboard.

The NSFAS appeal process is as follows:

1. Review the decision letter: If your NSFAS status states that your NSFAS application has been denied or that you have been disqualified, it’s important to understand the reasons for the decision. The status will indicate the specific reasons for the denial or disqualification.
2. Gather evidence: If you believe that the decision was made in error, you’ll need to gather evidence to support your appeal. This can include documents such as proof of income, bank statements, and letters from the college or university.
3. Submit the appeal: Once you have reviewed the decision letter and gathered the necessary evidence, you’ll need to submit your appeal to NSFAS. You can do this by writing a letter to NSFAS, explaining the reasons why you believe the decision was made in error and providing the evidence you have gathered. You can also use the NSFAS appeals form which is on the NSFAS website.
4. Wait for the outcome: After you have submitted your appeal, you will need to wait for the outcome. NSFAS will review your appeal and make a decision. You will receive a letter with the outcome of your appeal.

It’s important to note that the appeals process can take several weeks or months, so you should submit your appeal as soon as possible if you believe that the decision was made in error.

How to submit your NSFAS appeal

To submit your appeal as new student or returning student, follow the processes below.

1. Navigate to the myNSFAS login page.
2. Log into your NSFAS account with your ID number and password.
3. On your dashboard, click the “Track Funding Progress” option.
4. Check the application progress tabs.
5. If your application status reflects an unsuccessful message, you may submit an appeal by clicking on the “Submit Appeal Tab”.
6. Once you are on the “Application Appeal” page, you can see the reason for your unsuccessful application status.
7. Next, choose the reason for the appeal.
8. Then, upload certified supporting documents to support your reason.
9. Click “Submit Appeal“.
10. You can then track the NSFAS appeal status progress on your account dashboard. The NSFAS should respond to the appeal within 30 days.

If you received an “appeal approved” status from NSFAS, it means you have been provisionally approved for funding and that your funding is pending final approval.

If NSFAS rejects your appeal but you still need funding for 2025, you may apply again if they meet the funding criteria.

Here is a video explaining into further details how to track your NSFAS appeal status 2024.

Documents needed for NSFAS appeal

You must upload all required supporting documentation to substantiate your appeal. These may include, but not be limited to;

• Medical.
• Death of immediate family member.
• Academic transcript.
• Payslips.
• Proof of current household income. 
• Retrenchment letter (if applicable).
• Divorce decree (if applicable).
• Termination letter (if applicable).
• Death certificate of your parent/guardian (if applicable).

Ensure you submit substantive documents to provide proof of your circumstances. 

NSFAS Appeals that are supported by an affidavit will be rejected. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered. 

Any outstanding documentation related to the appeal must be submitted by the student/applicant within 14 days after which the appeal application will be closed automatically by NSFAS. 

This process places the responsibility on the student to submit an appeal with supporting evidence within the prescribed timelines. Refer to your NSFAS portal for the rejection reason. The appeal process is only open to rejected or not funded students.  

Reasons you may want to appeal NSFAS rejection

1. I am exceeding my permitted number of years of study: NSFAS enforces the N+2 rule. This means that students have an additional two years to complete their degree and ceases to fund a student for longer than this period. Should there be a reason for you exceeding the N+2 rule, and this reason is substantive, such as the death of an immediate family member or hospitalization, please provide relevant, certified supporting documents to this effect.
2. Request to change a program of study: Kindly note that NSFAS will only fund approved courses and the N+2 rule still applies as indicated above.
3. I completed a GAP year due to academic performance: If you did a gap year due to meeting academic performance, but now meet the academic criteria, please attach your full academic record with a motivation for reconsideration for NSFAS funding.
4. Loss of Bursary Sponsor: If you were sponsored for your studies by another entity or person in the past, but subsequently lost this sponsorship, please provide proof of the loss of sponsorship on official letterheads. An NSFAS application form and all required supporting documentation must be completed and submitted with this form.
5. Incorrect academic results submitted resulting in non-renewal of funding: If you believe your funding has not been renewed due to erroneous academic results submitted by the institution to NSFAS, please attach an official academic results transcript.
6. Failure to meet academic performance requirements: NSFAS is aware that many circumstances may lead to students being unable to meet academic performance requirements. These may include, but not be limited to, medical conditions, the death of an immediate family member, etc. Please submit substantive documents to provide proof of these circumstances.

If there are any other reasons you believe that your application meets the NSFAS requirements for funding that have not been considered above, please explain these circumstances and provide relevant supporting documentation.

NSFAS appeal terms and conditions

Read below the terms and conditions of the NSFAS Appeal.

1. Eligibility to Appeal:
   • Students whose financial aid applications were rejected or who did not meet academic progression criteria may lodge an appeal with NSFAS.
   • Appeals must be submitted within specified timelines to be considered.
   • Appeals will be entertained only for students who applied for NSFAS financial aid.
2. Financial Circumstances Appeals:
   • NSFAS Appeal from students exceeding income thresholds will only be considered if:
     • The financial circumstances of their household have changed since the application submission, supported by evidence.
     • Students provide evidence of household income below the threshold.
     • A key contributor to household income became incapacitated or deceased after the application submission.
     • The student has been declared independent of their biological parents by court decree, relieving parents of responsibility for maintenance, including education costs.
     • The student comes from a child-headed household, supported by a report from a registered social worker.
3. Academic Progression Appeals:
   • NSFAS Appeal from students failing to meet academic eligibility criteria will be considered only if:
     • The student is a continuing student who was not a full-time or first-time student in their previous academic term and has valid reasons for academic failure.
     • The failure to complete the academic term successfully is due to specified reasons such as severe illness, death in the immediate family, victim of a violent crime, or pregnancy and childbirth during the term, supported by institution evaluation and completion of NSFAS standard propensity letter.
     • The student with a disability provides a medical report indicating failure due to the nature of the disability.
     • The student provides evidence that academic results received by NSFAS are incorrect.
     • Continuing students who were full-time or first-time students in their previous academic term need not appeal.
4. N+ Rule Appeals:
   • NSFAS Appeal from students no longer meeting the N+ Rule will be considered only if:
     • The failure to complete the academic term successfully is due to specified reasons similar to academic progression appeals, or if the student has a disability and the institution confirms the propensity to complete within an additional term.
     • University students can prove they have 50% or fewer final year course credits left to complete their qualification, or TVET College students can prove they have two or fewer subjects left to complete their Report 191 qualification or three or fewer subjects to complete their NC(v) qualification, supported by institution evaluation.
5. Institutional Progression Appeals:
   • Appeals regarding academic progression decisions made by institutions should be directed to the respective institution.
6. Data or Information Errors Appeals:
   • Appeals from students rejected for financial aid due to data or information errors will be considered only if:
     • Errors are not related to essential identity information.
     • Students provide sufficient evidence of incorrect data or information.
7. Prohibited Appeals:
   • Students cannot appeal if:
     • They are registered for a qualification not funded by NSFAS.
     • They have reached N+2 (N+3 for students with disabilities).
     • Details of the appeal disclose different parental or legal guardian information than in the application, or if the student claims independence different from the application.
     • The institution has not submitted or has submitted incorrect registration records to NSFAS.
8. Rejection Conditions:
   • Failure to provide sufficient and substantive evidence within required time frames will lead to appeal rejection.
9. Validation of Appeals:
   • NSFAS reserves the right to validate all appeal documentation and will reject appeals where supporting evidence cannot be validated or confirmed.
   • NSFAS also reserves the right to reject supporting evidence based on affidavits.

Good luck with your NSFAS Appeal Application.