University Fort Hare Faculty of Science and Agriculture Bursaries or Scholarship
The University currently offers financial aid to South African citizens who are financially needy and who show academic potential. Students are required to apply annually for financial aid and any aid granted is granted for one academic year only.
Funding for such financial aid is made through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and hence the size of any award is determined according to the NSFAS means test.
The closing date for application for financial aid is the 31st August 2014 for new students and 31st August 2014 in respect of returning students.
First Year Student will only be given an application form for Financial Assistance upon providing the Financial Aid Office with a letter from the University indicating that the student has been either accepted or provisionally accepted for the 2015 academic year.
The value of the NSFAS award will only be credited to the student’s fee account in the third term, once all bursaries have been awarded and paid into the student’s account. This is to ensure that the loans granted are as low as possible.
Students receiving NSFAS loans will be required to complete an application form and a loan agreement before any payment will be effected.
The allocation received from NSFAS is limited and hence the Financial Aid Committee of the University, who gives financial aid awards, must ensure that as many students are supported as possible while at the same time taking into account financial need.
Students are therefore advised that registering on the basis of receiving a full loan from NSFAS should not be considered and that a family contribution as determined by the Means Test may be required. It is also important to note that there are various different kinds of funding made available each year through NSFAS. Below are just a few categories that are made available each year:
NSFAS Department of Education General Loan Funding: This categories covers any undergraduate degree or diploma that is offered by the University
NSFAS Department of Education Teacher (Ring fenced) Loan Funding: This category only cover student who wish to pursue a Bachelor Degrees in Education or a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
NSFAS Department of Education Disability Bursary: Covers students who are disabled. Please note that this category covers various disabilities and you are therefore encouraged to contact the Financial Aid and Bursaries Department for further information pertaining to this category
NSFAS Natskills for Scarce Skills: This category funds students who wish to study a degree in the following fields of study: a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in either Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Financial Accounting, Auditing and Information Systems, a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in either Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics or Geographical Information Systems or Bachelor of Agriculture.
NSFAS Natskills for Initial Teacher Funding: category only cover student who wish to pursue a Bachelor Degrees in Education or a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
NSFAS EC Premiers Loan Fund: This category funds students who wish to study a degree in the following fields of study: a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting, Business Management, Economics, Financial Accounting, Auditing and Information Systems, a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics or Geographical Information Systems or Bachelor of Agriculture.
NSFAS Funza Lushaka Bursary: category only cover student who wish to pursue a Bachelor Degrees in Education or a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. For more information on this bursary please visit the following website: www.funzalushaka.gov.za
NSFAS National Department of Social Development: this category only cover student who wish to pursue a Bachelor Degree in Social Work. In order for you to qualify for this bursary you need to apply at your nearest Provincial Department of Social Development.
NSFAS Final Year Donor Funding: this category only covers students who are in their Final Year of Study of their Degree or Diploma as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Please note that you may only receive this award for one full academic year.
BURSARIES AND LOANS
It is important for students to apply for bursaries, scholarships and or loans before the closing date.
Students are advised to plan for thier studies prior to registering at UFH. Once a student is registered with the university, it is advisable to always check his/ her emails for information about bursaries that have been advertised.
Applying for a loan, bursary or scholarship does not guarantee you will get it as we deal with large number of students that exceed the funds that are available. Make sure your plan your finances well in advance.
Late and incomplete application forms will not be considered.
Students are urged to attach all the necessary documents as stated in the application form.
UFH has limited number of bursaries; please consult with the Financial Aid/ Bursary office for further assistance. If a student has a bursary from outside, he/she must make sure that he/ she brings a copy of the letter to the Financial Aid/ Bursary office before registration.
Applicants are advised to send their applications directly to the organisation offering bursary not to UFH/ Financial Aid/Bursary Office. The postal addresses are listed in the booklet.
Please read instructions carefully, if you do not understand contact Financial Aid/ Bursary Office before sending off your application.
NSFAS does not cover full fees, family contribution is needed.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Application forms and information for NSFAS can be obtained from UFH Financial Aid
office. The application forms must be accompanied by all stated supporting documents, eg, Certified ID copy of student/ applicant, Certified ID copies of both parents, if one/both are deceased- certified death certificate, income statement/ payslip of both parents if they are working, if they are not working an affidavit stating they are not working, if they are getting a grant, a proof showing that, if the applicant has brothers and sisters, their certified ID/ birth certificates copies, if they are registered with other tertiary institutions, proof of that is also required. Original documents and copies must be taken to the nearest Police station/ local Post Office for the stamp.
All those documents must be certified with the stamp not older than three (3) months.
Original documents are not accepted. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that the application form is fully/ correctly completed.
On submission of NSFAS application form, student will receive a receipt, which should be kept as a proof of application, without it, is your word against ours. Please present your slip at all times to the Financial Aid/Bursary Office.
NSFAS is only available for South African citizens.
Students will be notified in writing if they have been successful or not in December by post.
Students have to apply for the loan every year. Closing date for current students is 31st August each year.
All students can apply for a loan from the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), a government loan scheme with the added incentive of a bursary conversion (max 40%) depending on academic performance. The parent’s/family’s contribution towards the student’s study cost is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is calculated using the Government’s National Means Test.
CLOSING DATES
Students must apply for bursaries, scholarships and loan before the closing date. Each bursary form states its closing date. Late applications will not be accepted. Only
after the closing date application forms will be processed or sent to the relevant organisation.
Student Trust Fund Application Form for 2014
Contact: • Alice Campus Office: Financial Aid Bursary Office • University of Fort Hare
Private Bag X1314 • Alice • 5700
Contact Person: Mr Alberta Lai-wing Tell: 043-704 7007