When to Reapply for NSFAS if Rejected

By Trev Gami •  Updated: 01/10/25 •  6 min read

The National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) carefully screens all applicants to ensure that only the needy get funding. If your application is rejected, you should not despair. Both new and returning students are allowed to reapply for NSFAS funding, although many students think that it is impossible. Read on to learn everything you want to know about reapplying for NSFAS. 

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When Can I Reapply for NSFAS if Rejected?

If your application for the NSFAS bursary has been rejected, you can reapply for funding later in the year. You can do this when NSFAS opens applications for the new academic year. NSFAS opens for new applications towards the end of the year and closes in late January or early February of the following year. When you reapply for NSFAS, ensure that your documents are correct to avoid repeating the same mistake. 

What to Do if NSFAS Rejected My Application?

When your application is rejected, you must reapply for a second consideration. If you are a new applicant, your application can be declined as a result of various reasons. It is crucial to identify the causes for the rejection of your first application and then address them when you reapply.

You can appeal for funding if you are a returning student and your funding is revoked because you have failed to pass at least 50% of your modules. You need to write an NSFAS appeal motivational letter explaining the circumstances that could have contributed to your poor performance. You also need to explain why you think you deserve a second chance. Create the best impression by submitting a letter with no mistakes.  

When you appeal the rejection status, make sure you do so within 30 days from the day you receive the decision from NSFAS. If you want to appeal your NSFAS rejection, make sure you use the “Appeal” tab in your myNSFAS portal. If the tab is not available or greyed out, it means you cannot appeal your rejection. 

Follow the steps below to appeal the NSFAS rejection of your application.

What are the Reasons for NSFAS Rejection?

NSFAS bursary is for South African citizens only. Even if you try your luck, you may be wasting your time since the application will be declined if you are not a South African. NSFAS rejects applications that fail to meet the requirements. 

When your application is rejected, it is shown on your myNSFAS portal as “Rejected/Unsuccessful” status. The following are the common reasons for the rejection of applications for funding which will appear on your portal.

How Do I Appeal NSFAS Rejection 2025?

When you receive the “Unsuccessful” NSFAS application on your portal, you must submit an appeal within 30 days. Use your myNSFAS portal and follow the steps below. 

When you have submitted your appeal, you can track progress on your myNSFAS account. It usually takes 30 days to get the results of your appeal. 

How Many Times Can I Apply for NSFAS?

Before you apply for NSFAS funding, you should know that you can only get aid for one qualification at a single institution. You cannot get funding for two qualifications at the same time. When you complete an N6 qualification at TVET college, you can be funded for university education. 

You can cancel your application and apply again if you meet the NSFAS requirements. If you feel that you have made a mistake in your application, you can cancel and reapply several times as long as you do this within the application window. Once the date for submission of the NSFAS application is over, you may not be able to apply. 

If NSFAS rejects your first application, you can apply again. If your application has already been accepted, you do not need to apply twice. If you fail to attain the 50% pass mark in your modules, you can apply twice. 

NSFAS rejects applications as a result of different reasons. You can reapply when your application is unsuccessful, but you need to provide the correct details. You can also appeal a rejection if you’re convinced that you deserve to get funding. 

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