What to do When NSFAS Has Rejected You

By Tevait Feanle •  Updated: 01/11/25 •  5 min read

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, or NSFAS, accepts hundreds of thousands of applications annually. Of course, not all of these students can receive a bursary. If your application is one of the ones rejected by NSFAS, you do have a right to appeal this. You will need to do so within 30 days of receiving the rejection message from them. Today, we take a look at everything you need to know about NSFAS rejections

- ADVERTISEMENT -
.

Why Did NSFAS Reject My Application?

Receiving an NSFAS grant is not automatic. They check your application to see how you match their eligibility criteria. This is why it can take a long time to hear back from them in the first place.

Not only must you meet all criteria- such as your household income and being a South African citizen- but the documents must also be perfectly filled in. All required documents must be submitted, and the form must be fully completed. 

They will then check what you have listed with outside agencies to verify its truth. They will also check with the institution that they have space for you as a student, that you have registered properly, and that you meet all academic criteria required for the program.

Failure at any one of these points will mean a rejection. While some cannot help and will not be appealable, others may be based on a mistake on the NSFAS side or something you can correct or motivate them to reconsider. This is why there is an appeals process.

What to do When NSFAS Rejects You?

If you intend to appeal your NSFAS rejection, you will need to do so through the ‘appeal’ tab in your myNSFAS portal. If you cannot see this tab, or it is greyed out, this means you are not able to appeal your rejection.

If you can, however, start by logging into your account through www.nsfas.org.za​. Next:

All appeals will, at the minimum, require you to submit a motivation letter about why they should reconsider you. This will need to be under 1000 words, so you don’t have a lot of space to make the impact you need to. Be sure to restate all your personal basics- identity, institution, course, and so on- and explain the reasons that you believe they should give you clemency. Be sure to include solid reasons why your application should be considered and the steps you have taken to mitigate any situation they cited as contributing to the rejection. Make sure it is grammatically correct and well-proofread, so you create the best possible impression.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Can I Re-Apply for NSFAS After Being Rejected?

Yes, you can. If you have been rejected before for an NSFAS bursary in a separate academic year, you are still welcome to apply for funding again in a later year. Of course, you will need to meet all the relevant criteria to do so, however.

How Long Do NSFAS Appeals Take?

You should know if your appeal was successful within 30 days. Remember, while waiting for approval, you don’t have to pay the registration fee, but if you appeal after being declined, you will have to. If the appeal is successful, you will be refunded. 

Who Should Appeal to NSFAS?

While you can appeal a rejection from NSFAS, not everyone should.

In particular, if you failed on specific criteria to qualify, there is no point in appealing. Namely issues like:

However, if there was something missing from your application you can now provide, there was an error which has been corrected, you believe they haven’t taken something into consideration, you believe they made a mistake, or your circumstances have changed, you can appeal.

NSFAS Appeals for 2025 (Closing Date)

This will be made clear on the website at the time you submit your application. However, the appeals for NSFAS rejections typically close in March of the academic year you are applying for.

How Do You Know If Your NSFAS Appeal is Successful?

Once you have successfully submitted your NSFAS appeal through the steps we detail above, you will see your status displayed as ‘Active Appeal’ on the status tab. If it should be approved this time, you will see this switch to ‘Approved for funding subject to registration.’ If it is again rejected, you will instead see ‘Application unsuccessful.’

While receiving a NSFAS rejection can be very demotivating, there is a chance you might be successful with an appeal, so don’t give up yet. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

How to Download NSFAS Disability Annexure A Form

How to Download NSFAS Disability Annexure A Form

In this article, we will explain what the form is all about and how and where to download NSFAS Disability Annexure A Form

What Does Assessing Financial Eligibility Mean In NSFAS?

What Does Assessing Financial Eligibility Mean In NSFAS?

At the end of this blog, you will understand what NSFAS means by assessing financial eligibility

What Does NSFAS Exceeded N+ Rule Enrollment Means?

What Does NSFAS Exceeded N+ Rule Enrollment Means?

In this article, we will be looking at one of such reasons: the ‘NSFAS Exceeded N+ Rule Enrollment.’

How to Apply For Nsfas Without Matric

How to Apply For Nsfas Without Matric

Can You Apply For Nsfas Without Matric?. Keep on reading to learn if you can apply for NSFAS without matric.

How much does NSFAS Pay For Off-Campus Accommodation?

How much does NSFAS Pay For Off-Campus Accommodation?

 How much does NSFAS Pay For Off-Campus Accommodation?. The NSFAS provides funding for a variety of living and educational expenses.

How To Upload Your ID When Applying For NSFAS

How To Upload Your ID When Applying For NSFAS

You need to create your myNSFAS account first to be able to upload your ID. Follow the steps below to create your account. 

How Do You Pay Back a Bursary?

How Do You Pay Back a Bursary?

Bursaries are different from other forms of sponsorship, although they help students pay for their education. Read on to learn how you pay back a bursary. 

How do I track my NSFAS Status 2025?

How do I track my NSFAS Status 2025?

If you applied for NSFAS funding for the 2022 academic year, you might wonder how to track your NSFAS status.

What Does ‘Awaiting Registration’ Mean on NSFAS?

What Does ‘Awaiting Registration’ Mean on NSFAS?

Sometimes you will find your application status showing ‘awaiting registration.’ Today, we look at what this means and what you should do about it.

How To Register Celbux As An NSFAS Student

How To Register Celbux As An NSFAS Student

South Africa student can use a Celbux account with an NSFAS wallet, provided that they has a registered account.

Bursaries Similar To NSFAS

Bursaries Similar To NSFAS

Today we look at South African bursaries similar to the NSFAS program you may also want to consider, as well as exploring the wider concept of bursaries.

How to Withdraw Money From NSFAS Wallet

How to Withdraw Money From NSFAS Wallet

How to Withdraw Money From NSFAS Wallet. We will focus on describing what is involved in the withdrawal process and every other thing that one has to know.

Does The NSFAS Fund Advanced Diplomas?

Does The NSFAS Fund Advanced Diplomas?

Does The NSFAS Fund Advanced Diplomas?. Although rarely, the fund will only consider funding advanced diplomas in specific conditions.

What Is Proof Of Legal Guardianship For NSFAS?

What Is Proof Of Legal Guardianship For NSFAS?

If you find yourself in this unfortunate circumstance, here’s what you can do to help your NSFAS application proceed as seamlessly as possible.

Why Is It Important to Pay Back NSFAS Loan?

Why Is It Important to Pay Back NSFAS Loan?

Like any loan, not paying NSFAS has ramifications. Most of those ramifications will revolve around your financial prospects but could even affect your job