The National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial assistance to students from poor family backgrounds but with the potential to attain higher education. NSFAS funds 50 Tertiary Vocational Education Training (TVET) Colleges in different provinces across South Africa. Here are the colleges that offer NSFAS in Durban.
Which Colleges Offer NSFAS in Durban?
NSFAS funds eight TVET Colleges in Durban, and they also have campuses in different places.
Majuba TVET College
Mujuba TVET College consists of 9 campuses funded by NSFAS. They offer different SAQA-approved technical courses. The campuses include the following:
- Majuba TVET Central Office
- Dundee Technology Center (DTC)
- Center for People Development (CPD)
- Majuba Technology Center (MTC)
- IT and Business Campus (ITB)
- New Castle Technology Center (NEWTECH)
- New Castle Training Center (NCTC)
- Open Learning Unit (OLU)
- Occupational Programs Unit (OPU)
Mnambithi TVET College.
Mnambithi has five campuses that are funded by NSFAS, which include the following:
- Escourt Campus
- Ezakheni A Campus
- Ezakheni B Campus
- Ezakheni E Campus
Mthashana TVET College
Mthashana runs nine campuses that are run by NSFAS, which include the following:
- Vryheid Engineering Campus
- Kwa-Gqikazi Campus
- Babanango Skills Center
- Emandleni Campus
- Nongoma Campus
- Nquthu Campus
- Vryheid Business Campus
- Maputa Campus
Thekwini TVET College
Tekwini TVET Campus has six campuses funded by NSFAS, which include the following:
- Ashervile Campus
- Centec Campus
- Cato Manor College
- Springfield Campus
- Melbourne Campus
- Umbilo Campus
Umfolozi TVET College
Umfolozi has nine campuses, and six of them are skills centres.
- Chief Albert Luthuli
- Esikhawini
- Eshowe
- Mandeni
- Richtek
- Isithebe
- Sundumbili
- Bambana
- Nkandla
Coastal KZN TVET College
Elangeni TVET College
Esayidi TVET College
Which Private College Is Funded by NSFAS?
Private colleges generally offer higher quality teaching compared to public TVET colleges. As a result, private colleges are more expensive than TVET colleges because they have better facilities. Unfortunately, NSFAS does not fund private colleges since it targets students from families with low income who cannot afford tertiary education.
Private colleges are too expensive for NSFAS. In order for one to qualify for NSFAS funding, their combined household income should not exceed R350 000 per annum or R600 000 for students with disabilities. NSFAS bursary is a preserve for South African citizens only.
You must have a South African ID and require financial assistance to qualify for this grant. Additionally, you must demonstrate your capability for academic success and register at a TVET college or intend to attain an NCV. If you want to pursue your studies at a private college, it means you can afford to pay all the costs for your education.
How Much Do TVET Students Get From NSFAS?
All students who qualify to get NSFAS funding to get allowances to cover different costs and expenses incurred during the study. TVET students and their counterparts at public universities get almost the same allowances, which include accommodation, tuition fees, registration fees, travel allowance, incidental allowances, and study materials.
The rates for these allowances vary depending on different factors like geographical location and type of accommodation used by the student. For instance, students in urban areas receive more money for certain allowances than students living in a rural setup.
TVET College students who stay in self-managed accommodation get a living allowance of R6 000. The type of institution where one is studying also determines the amount one will get. Students staying in campus accommodation are liable to get between R1300 and R2000 per month. Although the allowances are not uniform, they fall within the same range.
Students get a Living allowance of R1500, which is paid monthly. This allowance covers the personal needs of the learners during their study period at different TVET colleges. On the other hand, students get a monthly travel allowance of R625. Students are expected to stay within a radius of 40 kilometres from their campus.
Allowances for study materials are pegged at R433 per month, while the incidental amount is R241 per month. Overall, students enrolled at TVET Colleges can get about R34 000 to R45 000 per year, depending on where they live and the college where they are enrolled in.
Which NSFAS TVET Colleges Are Still Open for Application for 2024?
All applications for NSFAS funding for the 2020 academic year have closed. Applications for 2024 were open from 28 September 2022 to 31 January 2024. Due to the high number of applications for financial aid received every year, NSFAS has indicated that it will not accept late applications.
Therefore, all applications submitted after 31 January are not considered for 2024. However, applications for trimester funding have different dates for submission. If you want to apply for an NSFAS bursary, you can only wait for NSFAS to announce the opening and closing dates. Avoid late submission since this can lead to the rejection of your application. Be sure to include all the required documentation to increase your chances of getting financial assistance.
NSFAS funds eight TVET colleges in Durban together with their local campuses. This bursary scheme is a preserve for students from poor family backgrounds, which means it does not cover private colleges. To qualify for NSFAS financial aid, you must fulfil all the requirements and prove that you can excel in your academic studies. NSAFS applications for funding in 2024 have closed, although trimester applications will be accepted during specific periods.
