Here are some important terms and their meanings related to NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme).
List of NSFAS Acronyms
- Academically eligible student: Students registered on an NSFAS-approved qualification who meet relevant academic progression criteria and N+ rules.
- Academic progression pathways: Progression from one NSFAS-approved funded qualification to another.
- Academic Term:Â The period of study for university or TVET college students.
- Accreditation standard: Institution’s policy on minimum norms and standards for student housing or NSFAS accreditation tool.
- Accredited private accommodation (Institution): Institution-accredited accommodation meets the institution’s criteria.
- Accredited private accommodation (NSFAS):Â Accommodation accredited by NSFAS meets its criteria.
- Appeal: Submission by a student whose funding application was rejected, requesting NSFAS review.
- Applicant: One who has completed an application for NSFAS financial aid.
- Approved funded qualification: Qualification for which bursaries are available at public institutions, as approved by DHET.
- Assistive devices: Aids for disabled students to access learning resources.
- Bursary: Financial support for students, not requiring repayment.
- Certificate qualification: Registered qualification on NQF Level 5 with Higher Certificate or National Higher Certificate type.
- Citizen, including permanent residents: Defined as per the South African Citizenship Amendment Act.
- Continuing Student: Eligible student funded by NSFAS in the prior academic term, currently registered for an approved qualification.
- Course (University only): Component within a qualification carrying credits.
- Course pass rate (University only): Percentage of course credits required to remain eligible for NSFAS aid.
- Course Credits (University only): Credits earned per academic year.
- Discontinued funding: Cessation of funding due to ineligibility or no requirement.
- DHET Bursary Scheme: Fully subsidized funding for poor and working-class students.
- Disability: Impairment hindering participation in society.
- Distance education: Mode of provision overcoming spatial or transactional distance.
- Distance TVET college students: TVET college students are categorized as distance learners.
- Distance university student: Non-contact university student.
- Double-dipping: Receiving financial aid from multiple sources.
- Dropout student: Student not registered or actively pursuing qualification.
- Eligibility assessment: Process determining financial aid eligibility.
- Eligible student:Â Financially and academically eligible for NSFAS funding.
- Financially eligible applicant: Qualifying for funding based on financial criteria.
- First-time applicant: Applying for NSFAS funding for the first time.
- First-time entering (FTEN) student: First-time applicant to any university.
- First Time Funded: Student funded by NSFAS for the first time at a TVET College.
- First qualification: Initial degree enabling entry into the labor market or further studies.
- Full cost of study: Total cost including registration fees, tuition, accommodation, etc.
- Funded student: Student issued an NSFAS Bursary Agreement.
- Funder: Entity distributing funding to students as per NSFAS agreement.
- Household Income: Combined annual income of the applicant’s family.
- Institution: Public university or TVET college.
- Institution-owned accommodation: Property owned by the institution.
- Immediate family members: Close relatives as defined.
- Impairment: Hindrance due to physical or mental abnormality.
- Legal Guardian: Court-appointed guardian or one appointed by will.
- Loan Agreement Form (LAF): Documentation between student and NSFAS.
- NSFAS declaration form: Attests accuracy of applicant information.
- NSFAS Consent Form: Allows NSFAS to use third-party data for verification.
- National Certificate Vocational:Â Qualification complying with NC(V) policy requirements.
- NSFAS Bursary Agreement (NBA): Agreement detailing bursary terms between student and NSFAS.
- NATED (Report 191) Programme: Post-school qualification at NQF level 6.
- National ID number: South African Identity Document number.
- Pre-Vocational Learning Programme: Prepares grade 9 learners for TVET college.
- Occupational programme: Trade or profession-related qualification approved by NSFAS.
- Permanent Resident: Possessor of a valid Permanent Residency Permit.
- Registered student: Enrolled on an approved qualification.
- Relatives: Blood or marriage-related individuals.
- Returning student: Senior student re-applying for NSFAS funding.
- SASSA recipient:Â Receives SASSA grant or has in the past three years.
- Senior student: Previously registered student, whether funded or not.
- TVET College: Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training College.
- Third-party data source: External source for data validation.
- Unutilized funds: Unused student funds paid to institutions.
- University:Â Public university in South Africa established under relevant legislation.
- Undergraduate qualification: Initial tertiary degree.
Glossary of NSFAS Terms
- DHET: Department of Higher Education and Training
- FTEN: First Time Entering
- FTF: First Time Funded
- MNSFSH: Policy on the Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing at public universities (2015)
- NBA: National Student Financial Aid Scheme Bursary Agreement
- NCV: National Certificate Vocational
- NSFAS: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
- QCTO: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
- SARS: South African Revenue Services
- SASSA: South African Social Security Agency
- TVET: Technical and Vocational Education and Training