If you’re doing an advanced diploma and looking to get NSFAS fund after your first diploma or degree, and thinking: “Will NSFAS help me pay for that?” You’re not alone. Many students are unsure whether NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) can fund advanced diplomas.
In this post, we’ll know how NSFAS treats advanced diplomas, whether you can get funding, what requirements you must meet, and step-by-step guidance to give yourself the best shot. Consider this your roadmap of funding for an advanced diploma.
How To Get NSFAS Fund For Advanced Diploma?
First, let’s clear up what an advanced diploma is. An Advanced Diploma is a qualification above a standard diploma, often placed at NQF Level 7, which is similar to a bachelor’s degree level. It’s more advanced, more specialized, and often considered postgraduate in nature.
Now, here’s the catch: according to official website (about NSFAS funding rules), NSFAS no longer funds postgraduate qualifications under its bursary scheme. That means advanced diplomas are usually excluded from NSFAS bursaries.
However , and this is important , NSFAS may still provide loans for some students who want to pursue advanced diplomas, depending on income and eligibility.
So, there’s still hope. You just need to understand which route you qualify for, and how to apply.
Who Qualifies (or Doesn’t) for Funding for Advanced Diploma Courses
To know if you can get funding, you must match NSFAS’s rules. Here’s what you need to look at:
Bursary vs. Loan
- Bursary: Free funding (doesn’t need to be paid back). NSFAS bursaries do not fund postgraduate qualifications, which means advanced diplomas are excluded from bursary funding.
- Loan: A funding option you will have to repay. If your household income is above the bursary cutoff, you might be offered a loan instead.
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Income Thresholds
- For a bursary: your household income must fall between R0 and R350,000 per year for regular students. Persons with disabilities might have a higher threshold (e.g. up to R600,000).
- For a loan: typically, if your income is R350,001 to R600,000 per year, you may be considered for a NSFAS loan.
Other Criteria
You also need to satisfy general NSFAS conditions, such as:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be studying at a public university or a TVET college
- Not have already completed a qualification funded by NSFAS (depending on rules)
- Provide all required documents
Steps to Apply for NSFAS Funding for an Advanced Diploma
Even though advanced diploma funding is harder to get, here’s how you can try:
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Step 1: Check Your Course’s Status
First, confirm whether your advanced diploma is recognized by your institution and whether it’s accredited. If it’s registered under NQF and part of what your university offers, that is your starting point.
Step 2: Visit the NSFAS Website and Portal
Go to www.nsfas.org.za and access the myNSFAS portal. This is where you do your application.
Step 3: Register or Log In
If you don’t already have a myNSFAS account, register. If you have one, log in.
Step 4: Begin the Application
Choose “Apply” or “Reapply” (if you had funding before). During the process, select your qualification as “Advanced Diploma” or the relevant field, if it’s listed.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
You’ll likely need:
- Your ID or birth certificate
- Your parents’ or guardian’s ID
- Proof of household income (or affidavit if no income)
- Academic transcripts or certificates
- If you have a disability, submit Disability Annexure A (if needed)
Make sure your documents are clear and correctly scanned/uploaded.
Step 6: Wait for Eligibility Assessment
After submission, NSFAS will check whether you qualify under either bursary or loan route. If your bursary request is denied, you might automatically be assessed for a loan.
Step 7: Follow Up and Respond to Requests
If NSFAS asks for extra documents or clarifications, respond quickly to avoid further delays.
Step 8: Receive Funding Decision
You will get feedback on whether you are funded, whether it’s a loan or bursary, or whether your application is rejected.
Step 9: Register for Your Course
If funding is approved, use your funding or loan authorization during course registration so that your advanced diploma registration is confirmed.
Tips to Improve Your Chances for Funding
- Apply early, late applications are often rejected or given low priority.
- Ensure all documents are correct and clear- blurry photos or missing pages can cause rejection.
- Stay in contact with your institution’s financial aid office, they might help push your case.
- Double-check income statements or affidavits, mistakes there often lead to disqualification.
- Meet academic requirements, your academic standing often matters in funding decisions.
Possible Outcomes
| Scenario | What You Might Get | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bursary approval | You get the funding without needing to repay | Unlikely for advanced diploma, as bursaries exclude postgraduate levels |
| Loan approval | You get funding you’ll need to pay back | More likely route if your application is accepted |
| Rejection | You don’t get funding | Then you’ll need to look for other scholarships, private loans, or institutional funding |
FAQs
Q: Does NSFAS always reject advanced diploma funding?
A: Not always, but typically bursaries are not offered for advanced diplomas because they are treated as postgraduate. Loans are the more common path.
Q: If I get a NSFAS loan, when do I start repaying?
A: You usually begin repayment after you finish studying or once you are earning above a certain threshold.
Q: Can I appeal if my application is rejected?
A: Yes, most institutions and NSFAS provide appeal processes. Submit a well-written appeal with missing documents or reasons why you believe you qualify.
Q: Are there alternative funding options?
A: Yes, institutional bursaries, scholarships, private student loans, employer sponsorships, or part-time work.
Q: If I previously had NSFAS for a diploma, can I apply again for the advanced diploma?
A: Possibly. But your eligibility will depend on your previous funding, your academic performance, and NSFAS’s rules at that time.
Getting NSFAS funding for an advanced diploma is tougher than for undergraduate diplomas, because NSFAS bursaries usually do not support postgraduate levels. However, the loan pathway remains a possibility for many students.
To give yourself the best chance, make sure your application is clean, your documents are in order, you submit on time, and you stay proactive. Even if your application is initially rejected, don’t give up, explore appeals and alternative funding options.
Now, after knowing exactly how the funding rules work and what to do, you can approach your advanced diploma studies with clarity rather than uncertainty.
