The South African government has implemented several social assistance programs to help those struggling financially due to the COVID-19 outbreak. One such policy is the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) award, which gives financial help to qualifying South Africans who are unemployed or unable to produce an income. To apply for the SRD award, you may need to cancel your NSFAS assistance if you are a National Student Financial Aid System (NSFAS) recipient. Read this article for this on how to make this possible.
How to Cancel NSFAS to Receive an SRD Grant
There is a procedure to follow if you want to withdraw your NSFAS application to be awarded an SRD grant. Remember that you must have a compelling cause to withdraw your NSFAS application, and you must consider the likelihood that your application will be accepted. It’s simple to cancel your NSFAS application online by following these steps, which are as follows:
Visit the NSFAS website’s official page at www.nsfas.org.za Sign in to your MyNSFAS Account and select Track Funding Progress.
Then select Cancel Application.
Remember that you can only withdraw your application if it is active. Also, you must wait until the following academic year to reapply once the application period has ended. If your application is rejected, you can try again.
If you need to alter your personal information or supporting papers, consider updating your NSFAS online application rather than cancelling it.
In conclusion, you must have a good cause and consider it before withdrawing your NSFAS application to be considered for an SRD grant. Determine whether your application will be accepted before you cancel, and consider other choices, such as amending your application. To cancel your application, follow the instructions on the official NSFAS website.
Will my NSFAS be Cancelled if I Apply for R350?
Those who receive the COVID-19 R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant are still eligible for support under the NSFAS. Factually wrong was the NSFAS tweet from March 3, 2021, that claimed recipients of R350 grants were ineligible for NSFAS bursaries. In a statement released on March 6, 2021, NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo claimed that an uneducated employee sent the tweet and that NSFAS accepts full responsibility for the mistake.
The R350 doesn’t weigh because the COVID-19 award does not meet the requirements for financing students. If an applicant’s combined household income exceeds R350,000, they will not be considered for funding under the NSFAS criteria. So, requesting the R350 grant will not result in the termination of your NSFAS financing. It’s crucial to remember that all recipients of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants receive automatic funding. You can get further information by contacting NSFAS with any questions or concerns.
What to do When SASSA Declined Because of NSFAS?
You should request SASSA reconsideration if NSFAS led to the denial of your SASSA R350 grant application. Before issuing the Covid-19 SASSA SRD R350 Grant, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) verifies all of the information and documentation submitted by applicants to determine whether they satisfy the conditions for the grant. If your application was rejected, it’s likely because you fell short of all the criteria, including the NSFAS ones.
Before your request for reconsideration is authorized, you must submit all necessary data and documentation and meet all eligibility requirements. Also, you should monitor the status of your application and look up the SASSA R350 Award Reconsideration Status.
You can visit the SASSA website or contact them using the above contact information if you have any questions or concerns. The SASSA SRD R350 Grant applications and beneficiaries are verified each month, and if you continue to meet the conditions each month, your application will go into the acceptance stage.
Do you Get SRD Grant if you have NSFAS?
No, if you already receive NSFAS funds, you will not be eligible for the SRD grant. Those unemployed, not getting any social or Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits, and who have no other way to make money or receive support from others are supposed to receive temporary respite from their financial situation through the SRD award.
On the other side, NSFAS offers financial aid to qualified students so they can finish their higher education and enhance their chances of finding employment in the future. Suppose you need help making ends meet. In that case, you should look into alternative financial help or assistance options, such as looking for career prospects or using other public or non-profit resources.
But, while earning an SRD grant, you can apply for NSFAS to pay for your postsecondary education. The eligibility requirements for NSFAS financing do not expressly bar applicants who are also receiving SRD funds. It’s crucial to remember that the application process for NSFAS funding is entirely distinct from the application process for the SRD award. You must give NSFAS more information regarding your financial situation and academic background.
Your eligibility for the SRD grant will vanish once you receive an NSFAS bursary. No one may be awarded an SRD grant and NSFAS funds simultaneously. Yet, it can be a helpful “stop-gap” solution to give you some income relief while submitting your NSFAS bursary application.
