Can NSFAS Help Me Out If I’m Studying Part-Time?
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. NSFAS – that’s the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for those living under a rock – is basically a lifeline for loads of South African students dreaming of uni or college without having to sell a kidney. But here’s the million-rand question: can you get NSFAS funding if you’re not a full-time student? Like, what if you’re juggling work, family, maybe a side hustle, and need to study part-time? Here’s the real deal.
What’s NSFAS All About Anyway?
So, NSFAS is the government’s way of saying “we got you” to students who can’t cough up the cash for varsity or TVET college. They usually cover the big stuff: tuition, digs (that’s accommodation for the uninitiated), textbooks, and even a bit of pocket money. But – and it’s a big but – this is mostly for students grinding away full-time at public institutions.
So, Do Part-Time Students Get a Piece of the NSFAS Pie?
Short answer? Nah, not really. NSFAS is all about full-time students. Their whole system, the budgets, the policies – it’s all set up for people who are at uni or college full-throttle. Stuff like residence and meal allowances just don’t make sense for someone popping in after work or studying online in their pajamas.
There are a couple of tiny exceptions, though, so don’t lose hope just yet:
– UNISA & Distance Learning: If you’re with UNISA (the OG of distance learning), NSFAS *might* help, but only if you load up on enough modules to basically count as full-time. No slacking.
– Postgrad Studies: Most of the time, it’s a no-go, unless you’re doing something like a PGCE because you need it for a teaching gig. Sorry, aspiring philosophers.
Why’s NSFAS So Stingy With Part-Time Students?
It’s not personal, promise. It’s just that NSFAS has to stretch their cash to help as many students as possible, so they put their bets on full-time students – apparently, it’s the quickest way to churn out graduates and get people working. If they started funding everyone doing a module here and there, the pool would dry up faster than Joburg in a heatwave.
So, What Now If You’re Part-Time?
Don’t freak out – there are other ways to keep the academic dream alive:
– Look for bursaries or financial aid at your university. Lots of places have their own pots of money for part-timers.
– Private bursaries are a thing too. Ever heard of Funza Lushaka? That’s just one of several options, especially if you’re in teaching.
– Already got a job? Ask HR if there’s any support for studying. Sometimes companies will throw you a bone if it means you’ll be more valuable to them.
– The old faithful: Student loans from a bank or private lender. Not ideal – nobody loves debt – but hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Bottom Line
Honestly, if you’re hoping to cruise through part-time with NSFAS’s help, it’s probably not happening. But don’t just give up. Talk to your school’s financial aid desk, stalk the bursary boards, and check out what’s possible for your course. If you can swing it and register full-time (even as a distance learner), you could still sneak in under the NSFAS radar.
And, for the love of all things good, make sure you double-check the latest rules on NSFAS’s website before you do anything crazy. Things change, you never know. Good luck – may your Wi-Fi be strong and your coffee stronger.