SASSA Declined: NSFAS Registered
Your SASSA SRD R370 application was declined because the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) database shows you as a funded student. SASSA treats NSFAS funding as government financial assistance, which makes you ineligible for the SRD grant. If you are no longer studying or your NSFAS funding has ended, this page shows you exactly how to get the records updated and appeal.
What This Decline Means
NSFAS provides financial aid to eligible students at public universities and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges in South Africa. The funding can cover tuition fees, accommodation, a meal allowance, a book allowance, and a personal care allowance. For students at TVET colleges, NSFAS also provides a transport allowance.
SASSA cross-references your ID number against the NSFAS database as part of the SRD means test. If NSFAS shows you as a currently funded student, SASSA automatically declines your SRD application. The reasoning is that NSFAS funding already provides financial support, so you do not meet the criteria of having no source of assistance.
The most common problem is that NSFAS records are not updated promptly when a student drops out, completes their studies, or loses their funding. The NSFAS database may still show you as active even though your funding ended months ago.
What to Do Right Now
If you are genuinely no longer receiving NSFAS funding, you need to get the NSFAS database updated and then appeal your SASSA decline. Here is the process:
Check your NSFAS funding status
Log in to your myNSFAS account at my.nsfas.org.za to check your current funding status. If you cannot access your account, call the NSFAS contact centre at 08000 67327 (toll-free) and ask them to confirm whether your funding is still active. Note the name of the agent and the reference number of your call.
Contact your institution's financial aid office
Visit or call the financial aid office at your former university or TVET college. Ask them to confirm with NSFAS that you are no longer a registered and funded student. Institutions communicate directly with NSFAS to update student records, and this is often faster than going through NSFAS alone. Request a letter from the institution confirming your deregistration or graduation date.
Request a confirmation letter from NSFAS
Contact NSFAS and request an official letter or email confirming that your funding has ended. State the reason clearly: you graduated, dropped out, were academically excluded, or your funding was terminated. This letter is the single most important document for your SASSA appeal. You can email your request to info@nsfas.org.za with your ID number, student number, and institution name.
Submit your SASSA appeal with proof
Go to srd.sassa.gov.za and submit your appeal. Upload the NSFAS confirmation letter, the letter from your institution, and your academic transcript or proof of completion if available. The appeal should clearly state that your NSFAS funding has ended and you are no longer a registered student.
Common Situations That Cause This Decline
You Completed Your Studies but NSFAS Records Were Not Updated
When you graduate, your institution is supposed to notify NSFAS that your studies are complete and funding should be terminated. This process depends on the institution submitting the data, and delays are common - especially at the end of the academic year when thousands of students are completing at the same time. Your NSFAS status may remain "active" for weeks or months after you have already graduated and received your qualification.
You Dropped Out or Were Academically Excluded
If you left your studies before completing - whether you dropped out voluntarily, were excluded for academic performance, or could not continue for personal reasons - NSFAS may not have been notified. This is especially common when students leave without formally deregistering at their institution. If you just stopped attending classes without doing the official deregistration process, the institution may still have you listed as a funded student.
Your NSFAS Funding Was Cancelled but Records Were Not Cleared
NSFAS can cancel your funding for several reasons: failure to meet the academic progress requirements (the N+ rule), exceeding the maximum years of funded study, or a change in your financial circumstances. When funding is cancelled, the NSFAS system should update your status. But in some cases the cancellation is reflected for NSFAS disbursement purposes while the broader database that SASSA queries still shows you as registered.
You Applied to NSFAS but Were Not Actually Funded
Simply applying for NSFAS does not necessarily mean you received funding. However, the application itself may create a record in the NSFAS database that SASSA interprets as active registration. If you applied but were rejected, never signed the bursary agreement, or were provisionally approved but funding was never disbursed, contact NSFAS to clarify your status and get a letter confirming you are not funded.
If You Are Currently a Funded Student
If you are genuinely currently registered and receiving NSFAS funding, the decline is correct. You cannot receive both NSFAS and the SRD grant at the same time.
NSFAS funding typically provides substantially more value than the R370 SRD grant. Your NSFAS funding covers tuition (which can be R30,000 to R80,000+ per year), accommodation (up to R45,000 per year at many institutions), and provides monthly allowances for meals, books, and personal care. The total value can be R50,000 to R120,000 per year depending on your institution and accommodation arrangement.
If you are struggling financially despite NSFAS funding, speak to your institution's student support services. Many universities and TVET colleges have emergency funding, food banks, and other support programmes for students in need.
Documents for Your Appeal
- ✓NSFAS confirmation letter - stating your funding status has ended, with the date it was terminated
- ✓Academic transcript or results letter - showing you completed or are no longer enrolled
- ✓Institution deregistration letter - from your university or TVET college confirming you are no longer a registered student
- ✓Certified copy of your ID - standard requirement for all SASSA appeals
Ready to appeal? Follow our step-by-step appeal guide for the full process. Submit at srd.sassa.gov.za within 90 days of the decline.
Useful Contact Numbers
- NSFAS contact centre:08000 67327 (toll-free)
- NSFAS email:info@nsfas.org.za
- NSFAS website:my.nsfas.org.za
- SASSA toll-free:0800 60 10 11
- SASSA WhatsApp:082 046 8553
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does NSFAS registration disqualify me from the SRD grant?
I dropped out of university but NSFAS still shows me as registered - what do I do?
I completed my studies - will NSFAS automatically remove me from their system?
Can I receive both NSFAS funding and the SRD grant?
This website is not affiliated with SASSA or the South African government. The information provided here is for educational purposes and is based on publicly available information. Always verify details directly with SASSA or the relevant government department.