FUNDING IN A TIME OF COVID Yes, you can apply for funding despite the strange times we live in. Here’s how.
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ith uncertainty swirling in every sphere of society, it’s more important than ever to get a tertiary education. It is, however, a reality that enrolling at a university or college costs – in most instances – a lot of money. So, what are you to do, caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to afford the qualifications you so sorely need to make it in a world where everything seems to cost a ton of money? Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom. As sure as there will be an end to the Covid-19 pandemic, you will be able to enroll in university or college if you work hard, achieve good marks and make the right moves. Applying for a bursary at The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSAFS) is a move in the right
direction. So read closely, and when you’re done, make that phone call and send that email. Because, the time to get moving is now!
OPTION #1: APPLY FOR NSFAS FUNDING NSFAS is a bursary scheme funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training for those who do not have the financial means to fund their studies and cannot access bank funding, study loans or bursaries. Here’s how it works: If you come from a family with an income of R350 000 or less, you qualify for a government bursary offered via the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
What does the bursary cover? For your university studies, it covers: • Accommodation as per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence) • Transport (up to 40km from institution) R7 500 per annum • Living allowance of R15 000 per annum • Book allowances R5 200 per annum • Incidental/personal care allowance R2 900 per annum for students in catered residences For Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) it covers: • Accommodation in an urban area R24 000 per annum
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