How to Cancel NSFAS to Receive an SRD Grant

By Dave Nyam •  Updated: 03/23/24 •  5 min read

The South African government has implemented several social assistance programs to help those struggling financially due to the COVID-19 outbreak. One such policy is the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) award, which gives financial help to qualifying South Africans who are unemployed or unable to produce an income. To apply for the SRD award, you may need to cancel your NSFAS assistance if you are a National Student Financial Aid System (NSFAS) recipient. Read this article for this on how to make this possible.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

How to Cancel NSFAS to Receive an SRD Grant

There is a procedure to follow if you want to withdraw your NSFAS application to be awarded an SRD grant. Remember that you must have a compelling cause to withdraw your NSFAS application, and you must consider the likelihood that your application will be accepted. It’s simple to cancel your NSFAS application online by following these steps, which are as follows:

Visit the NSFAS website’s official page at www.nsfas.org.za Sign in to your MyNSFAS Account and select Track Funding Progress.
Then select Cancel Application.

Remember that you can only withdraw your application if it is active. Also, you must wait until the following academic year to reapply once the application period has ended. If your application is rejected, you can try again.

If you need to alter your personal information

- ADVERTISEMENT -
or supporting papers, consider updating your NSFAS online application rather than cancelling it.

In conclusion, you must have a good cause and consider it before withdrawing your NSFAS application to be considered for an SRD grant. Determine whether your application will be accepted before you cancel, and consider other choices, such as amending your application. To cancel your application, follow the instructions on the official NSFAS website.

Will my NSFAS be Cancelled if I Apply for R370?

Those who receive the COVID-19 R370 social relief of distress (SRD) grant are still eligible for support under the NSFAS. Factually wrong was the NSFAS tweet from March 3, 2021, that claimed recipients of R370 grants were ineligible for NSFAS bursaries. In a statement released on March 6, 2021, NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo claimed that an uneducated employee sent the tweet and that NSFAS accepts full responsibility for the mistake.

The R370 doesn’t weigh because the COVID-19 award does not meet the requirements for financing students. If an applicant’s combined household income exceeds R350,000, they will not be considered for funding under the NSFAS criteria. So, requesting the R370 grant will not result in the termination of your NSFAS financing. It’s crucial to remember that all recipients of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants receive automatic funding. You can get further information by contacting NSFAS with any questions or concerns.

What to do When SASSA Declined Because of NSFAS?

You should request SASSA reconsideration if NSFAS led to the denial of your SASSA R370 grant application. Before issuing the Covid-19 SASSA SRD R370 Grant, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) verifies all of the information and documentation submitted by applicants to determine whether they satisfy the conditions for the grant. If your application was rejected, it’s likely because you fell short of all the criteria, including the NSFAS ones.

Before your request for reconsideration is authorized, you must submit all necessary data and documentation and meet all eligibility requirements. Also, you should monitor the status of your application and look up the SASSA R370 Award Reconsideration Status.

You can visit the SASSA website or contact them using the above contact information if you have any questions or concerns. The SASSA SRD R370 Grant applications and beneficiaries are verified each month, and if you continue to meet the conditions each month, your application will go into the acceptance stage.

Do you Get SRD Grant if you have NSFAS?

No, if you already receive NSFAS funds, you will not be eligible for the SRD grant. Those unemployed, not getting any social or Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits, and who have no other way to make money or receive support from others are supposed to receive temporary respite from their financial situation through the SRD award. 

On the other side, NSFAS offers financial aid to qualified students so they can finish their higher education and enhance their chances of finding employment in the future. Suppose you need help making ends meet. In that case, you should look into alternative financial help or assistance options, such as looking for career prospects or using other public or non-profit resources.

But, while earning an SRD grant, you can apply for NSFAS to pay for your postsecondary education. The eligibility requirements for NSFAS financing do not expressly bar applicants who are also receiving SRD funds. It’s crucial to remember that the application process for NSFAS funding is entirely distinct from the application process for the SRD award. You must give NSFAS more information regarding your financial situation and academic background.

Your eligibility for the SRD grant will vanish once you receive an NSFAS bursary. No one may be awarded an SRD grant and NSFAS funds simultaneously. Yet, it can be a helpful “stop-gap” solution to give you some income relief while submitting your NSFAS bursary application.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

NSFAS Disability Support Requirements

NSFAS Disability Support Requirements

As a student living with disabilities, you are eligible to receive funding from the NSFAS through the NSFAS Disability Support Requirements fund

How to Apply For Nsfas Without Matric

How to Apply For Nsfas Without Matric

Can You Apply For Nsfas Without Matric?. Keep on reading to learn if you can apply for NSFAS without matric.

How To Find Your NSFAS Reference Number: A Comprehensive Guide

How To Find Your NSFAS Reference Number: A Comprehensive Guide

How To Find Your NSFAS Reference Number? Follow these three easy steps to get the NSFAS reference number

How To Reset MyNSFAS Login Password

How To Reset MyNSFAS Login Password

What are some of the issues that may arise for an applicant or student to reset MyNSFAS login Password

What Happened to the Lady Who Got R14 Million from NSFAS?

What Happened to the Lady Who Got R14 Million from NSFAS?

The Lady Who Got R14 Million from NSFAS. Curious as to the highest-profile incidence of theft of NSFAS funds, we have all the details here

What Is NSFAS MasterCard?

What Is NSFAS MasterCard?

The article explore everything there is to know about NSFAS’s new payment system to make your transition to the new NSFAS MasterCard more convenient.

When is NSFAS Paying Out in 2026

When is NSFAS Paying Out in 2026

When is NSFAS Paying Out. This article aims to provide insight into when NSFAS will be paying out in 2024, the amount of funding students can anticipate

How To Cancel NSFAS Application

How To Cancel NSFAS Application

You formally write to NSFAS about canceling your application. Also you can cancel NSFAS application by visiting the NSFAS website with the URL www.nsfas.org.za.

How Long Does NSFAS Take to Verify Identity?

How Long Does NSFAS Take to Verify Identity?

In case you're wondering how long it takes to verify your identity, this article has all the answers.

Do I Need to Pay Back NSFAS Bursary?

Do I Need to Pay Back NSFAS Bursary?

In this article, we break down whether you need to pay NSFAS, under what conditions this can happen, and how the payments will work for you.

How to Download NSFAS Disability Annexure A Form

How to Download NSFAS Disability Annexure A Form

In this article, we will explain what the form is all about and how and where to download NSFAS Disability Annexure A Form

NSFAS Student Accommodation Requirements

NSFAS Student Accommodation Requirements

This blog post will inform you about the necessary details of NSFAS student accommodation, including its requirements

What’s The Difference Between ISFAP and NSFAS?

What’s The Difference Between ISFAP and NSFAS?

This post will review the main distinctions between ISFAP and NSFAS to assist you in choosing the one that is best for you.

How To Check My NSFAS Balance

How To Check My NSFAS Balance

In this guide, my focus is to render information on how to check my NSFAS balance online. I will also cover how to check it via cell phone & without airtime

How to Download the NSFAS Agreement Form

How to Download the NSFAS Agreement Form