Signing your NSFAS agreement form will be the critical last step before you are fully approved for NSFAS funding. So it is critical you do this timeously, and return it as soon as possible! If you’re confused as to what the form does or have questions on how to find it, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve assembled this easy guide to everything you need to know about the NSFAS agreement form to help.
What is a Bursary Agreement?
A bursary agreement is a legal contract between a bursary provider (such as a government or a private organization) and the student who has been awarded a bursary. In South Africa, your NSFAS bursary is signed between you and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, overseen by the South African Government. This contractual agreement sets out the terms and conditions of the bursary. This includes the amount of funding, the duration of the bursary, and the obligations of the student and the provider.
The role of the bursary agreement is to ensure that the funds are used for their intended purpose, that the student fulfills their academic (and any other) obligations, and that the provider’s investment in the student is protected. The agreement usually includes provisions relating to academic performance, anything applicable regarding the repayment of the bursary if the student fails to meet the conditions of the agreement, and the rights and responsibilities of both the student and the provider.
It is important for students to carefully read and understand the terms of the bursary agreement before accepting the bursary, as they will be bound by its terms throughout the duration of the bursary. It should be treated as a binding contract- as that’s exactly what it is!
How to Download the NSFAS Agreement Form
Luckily, the NSFAS agreement form can be downloaded easily through your My NSFAS portal. Head to the NSFAS website and log in.
- Click on ‘Downloads’ on the top menu and select ‘Bursary Agreement Form’ from the drop-down menu.
- You will be sent to a page where you can download the agreement form. Click on download to save the form to your computer.
The NSFAS agreement form will be downloaded as a pdf. You can open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader or any other PDF reader. Many browsers and cell phones now have pdf readers inbuilt into the operating system, so you are unlikely to have any issues.
Once downloaded, fill out the form by providing your personal details and sign the agreement. Once you are done, save it to your computer/phone and print out a copy for your records.
As we mentioned above, this is a binding contract. Ensure to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the NSFAS
What Does Signing of the Agreement Mean on NSFAS?
Signing the agreement on NSFAS means that the student has accepted the terms and conditions of the bursary offered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This is the last step before you receive NSFAS funding. By signing the agreement, the student indicates that they understand the obligations and responsibilities associated with the bursary and agrees to abide by them throughout the duration of the bursary.
The NSFAS agreement is a legally binding contract between the student and NSFAS, and it outlines the conditions of the bursary.
Who Signs the NSFAS Consent Form?
The NSFAS Consent Form is signed by the student who is applying for financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. This form allows NSFAS to collect, use, and disclose your personal information (and that of others mentioned, like your guardian/parent) for the purposes of processing and administering their financial aid application. This is a prerequisite for any ‘background check’ like this in South Africa, so it keeps them compliant with the POPIA act and the law. POPIA covers privacy and access to data in South Africa.
The student must sign the consent form as part of their application process. If the student is under the age of 18 or relies on someone else for support, the parent or legal guardian will also have to sign the form too, again due to POPIA restrictions.
How Long Does NSFAS Take to Pay After Signing?
Typically, once a student has signed the NSFAS bursary agreement form and has been fully registered and verified by their institution, the funds are sent directly to the institution within four to six weeks. The institution then allocates the funds to the student’s account.
However, in some cases, there may be delays in the distribution of funds due to verification delays or administrative issues. You can check your application status on the myNSFAS portal or by contacting the NSFAS contact centre at 08000 67327 or emailing info@nsfas.org.za for assistance.
The NSFAS agreement form is one of the most important parts of your NSFAS application, so once it is ready for you to sign, you should get it returned without delay.
