Getting your National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application approved is a big relief. But for some students, it leads to confusion and frustration when the college or university says you’re not funded – even though NSFAS has given you the green light. If you’re in this situation, don’t panic.
Your NSFAS Application Was Approved, But the College Says You’re Not Funded – Why?
Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding why this happens and what you can do about it.
1. Understanding NSFAS Approval vs. Funding Allocation
When NSFAS approves your application, it means you meet the criteria to receive funding. However, being approved doesn’t automatically guarantee that funds have been disbursed to your institution yet. The approval is just one step in a longer process that includes academic registration, institution confirmation, and final processing by NSFAS.
2. Reasons Your Institution Might Say You’re Not Funded
There are several common reasons why your college or university might say you are not funded, even after NSFAS has approved your application:
a. You Haven’t Registered Yet
NSFAS only finalizes funding once your academic registration is confirmed by the institution. If you haven’t completed registration, NSFAS can’t release the funds. Ensure that your registration is active and correctly captured on the college’s system.
b. The Institution Hasn’t Submitted Your Registration Data
After you register, your college must submit your registration information (called the registration template) to NSFAS. This includes your course details, duration, and costs. If this hasn’t been submitted or contains errors, your funding can’t be activated.
c. You Changed Institutions or Courses
If you applied to NSFAS with details from one institution and later registered at a different one, your funding won’t automatically follow you. You need to update NSFAS with your new details or the new institution must submit your registration data to NSFAS.
d. NSFAS Rejected the Registration Template
Sometimes, NSFAS may reject the data submitted by the institution due to issues such as:
- Course not funded by NSFAS
- Exceeding N+1 rule (NSFAS only funds you for the duration of your course plus one extra year)
- You already have a qualification at the same or higher level
- Incorrect student information (like ID or student number mismatch)
e. Academic Performance Issues
If you failed to meet the academic progression requirements (usually 50% pass rate), NSFAS may withdraw funding, even if you were initially approved.
Recommended for you: What to Do If Your NSFAS Status Says “Funding Eligible” But No Payment Yet
3. What You Should Do
If the college says you’re not funded despite NSFAS approval, take the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the Financial Aid Office
Start by going to your institution’s financial aid or bursary office. Ask if your registration was submitted to NSFAS and whether it was accepted or rejected. They can access this information in real time.
Step 2: Check Your myNSFAS Portal
Log into your myNSFAS account and check your application status and any messages. If your status shows “Funding Eligible” but not “Funding Approved for Registration,” it means NSFAS is still waiting for your registration data.
Step 3: Update NSFAS About Changes
If you’ve switched colleges or courses, go to your new institution’s financial aid office and ask them to submit your updated registration template to NSFAS. Ensure all your personal information is correct.
Step 4: Follow Up Regularly
Sometimes, delays happen due to backlogs or system errors. Follow up with both NSFAS and your institution weekly until the issue is resolved.
It’s frustrating to feel stuck between NSFAS and your college, but in most cases, the issue can be fixed with patience and the right information. Always keep a record of your communications and ask for clarity if you don’t understand what’s going on. Most importantly, don’t give up. NSFAS funding can still be activated as long as you meet the requirements and your institution provides the correct data.
