NSFAS Consent Form (2022) How To Get, Fill & Submit Online

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government bursary scheme specifically targeted at students from poor and working-class families. This programme receives its funding budget from the Department of Higher Education and Training. 

Many applicants to the programme have found that they were asked to complete the NSFAS consent form so that their applications can be completed, and so they begin to search out where to find the form, how to fill it, and what to do next. 

Keep in mind that the NSFAS consent form informs the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) that your parents or guardians are aware of your decision to seek financial aid from the programme, and that you really need the funding. It means that you have not misappropriated funds from your parents and that they will not object to you repaying some of these funds. After these facts have been confirmed by the NSFAS, the programme may then go ahead to pay you.

How to Get the NSFAS Consent form

The NSFAS Consent form is available online. You may get it by going to the NSFAS website, searching for downloads, and clicking on the Consent Form. Alternatively, you can just go straight to the download link: https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/downloads/NSFAS%202020%20Applications%20Consent%20Form.pdf and then download the form. 

How To Fill Out NSFAS Consent Form

Please print it out, take it home, and fill it in capital letters. There are also spaces for your parents or guardians to fill and to sign.

Once you have completed the form you have to scan it and get it onto your computer. Then to send it to the NSFAS so as to facilitate the approval of your funds, go online.

How To Submit NSFAS Consent Form Online

Go to http://my.nsfas.org.za and log in. You will see a prompt to upload your outstanding supporting documents. Click on the option to upload the documents. Once the documents have been uploaded, click on the tab ‘Submit Documents’.

When you have successfully uploaded the document, the process is complete and you can almost relax. When all documents have been successfully uploaded, you will receive a notification that says ‘Outstanding application documents submitted successfully uploaded’. At that point, you can relax, and await the outcome of your application.

If You Experience a Problem

If you have uploaded the documents and still have a problem, please do not panic. The most common problem is that the documents are not clear and legible.  Most students take photos of the documents with their phones and upload them. If that is what you did the first time you should try something else.

Instead of taking photos with your cellphone you can go to a NSFAS or a NYDA office in person and request assistance. If there is no NSFAS or NYDA office near you, and you have already applied to a college or university then it is even better to ask their fees office, of financial aid office to assist you.

If you have Applied and Want to Access your Application status:

Go to the NFSAS website http://my.nsfas.org.za and login to the myNSFAS student portal by entering your username and password, and then clicking on Sign In. 

Click on the ‘Track Funding Progress’ Tab.

Once you have followed these three easy steps, you will be met with three possible options. If you see ‘Approved,’ it means you will soon start seeing funds. If you see ‘Awaiting Evaluation’ it means that your account is being considered for approval, and if you see ‘Declined’ it means your application has been rejected by the board.

The NSFAS needs to communicate with the institution you have applied to for confirmation about your student status, as to whether you really are a student there, or whether you have qualified to be admitted. Application results will be communicated to all applicants once the NSFAS concluded with confirmation. The NSFAS will then inform you of their decision before the start of the academic year and this will be done through SMS, email, as well as on your myNSFAS account.

For more on checking status – How to Check Your NSFAS Application Status

If your Application Has been Declined?

If your application has been declined, and you are truly a student of a public institution who is in need of financial assistance, then you can still appeal the decision of the board. Before doing so, please double-check all the information you have keyed in, and also check all the documents you have filled in to ensure that they are clear and legible. 

You can approach the financial aid office of your school, and explain the situation to them. They will double-check, and offer you whatever assistance necessary.

If Your NSFAS Application has been Approved 

Once you are approved to receive NSFAS funding, you simply have to check for confirmation of payment. There are two major ways to check your NSFAS balance. NSFAS Sbux and NSFAS Celbux systems. We discuss them briefly here.

The NSFAS Sbux method enables you to check your NSFAS using a USSD code, via your cell phone. Just follow the simple steps below:

    Dial short code *134*176# on your cell phone and then press send.

    The system will display a prompt requesting you to Enter your password.

    Following the prompt, just enter your Password and then press Send.

    The system will display some options on your screen. Select option 2: ‘Query.’

    The system will display your cash balance and transactions. If you have been credited.

Related:

• How To Check Your NSFAS Balance
• How to Write NSFAS Appeal Letter & Form
• How to Check Your NSFAS Application Status

Conclusion:

The NSFAS consent form is necessary for the board to know that you are truly in need of financial aid. It shows that your parents or guardians do not object to your receiving financial aid to fund your education. It confirms that you have not received money from your parents, only to spend it, and seek funding from the government. 

Furthermore, if you are orphaned, then you need to get a social worker to sign for you. Certain situations receive special consideration from the board of the NSFAS.