Does NSFAS Pay Registration Fee At Unisa?

If you’re a prospective Unisa student relying on NSFAS funding, you might be wondering if it covers the registration fee.

The answer is yes, NSFAS does pay the registration fee at Unisa under specific conditions.

Does NSFAS Cover Registration Fee at Unisa?

Yes, if your NSFAS application is approved for funding at Unisa, NSFAS will cover your registration fee in addition to your tuition fees.

This takes away a major expense for qualifying students and allows them to focus on their studies.

Take a look at the process:

1. If you are on NSFAS’s approved funding list for Unisa, you won’t need to pay the minimum registration amount to activate your studies.
2. Unisa will receive confirmation from NSFAS regarding your funding status.
3. Based on this confirmation, Unisa will automatically activate your registration without requiring any upfront payment from you.
4. Check your myLife email, which is the only email Unisa uses for official contact.

This applies to NSFAS-approved students, new and returning, studying towards their first undergraduate qualification.

NSFAS funding doesn’t cover registration fees for postgraduate studies or second qualifications.

What fees does NSFAS cover at Unisa?

Beyond the registration fee, NSFAS funding at Unisa generally covers the following:

1. Tuition fees for your registered modules
2. A learning material allowance (Unisa lists R660 per module for the first 4 modules, or R5,678 for 5 or more modules)
3. A personal care (incidental) allowance of R316.70 a month for 10 months, only if you register for 10 or more modules

It’s important to note that NSFAS funding does not cover:

1. Application fees for NSFAS or Unisa
2. Additional course materials like prescribed textbooks
3. Debt from previous years and tuition for modules taken for non-degree purposes
4. Examination fees (including re-examinations and remarking)
5. Accommodation, transport, meals or other living costs (Unisa students do not get a living allowance)

How do I know if NSFAS has paid my registration fee at Unisa?

There are a few ways to confirm if NSFAS has settled your registration fee at Unisa:

1. Track your NSFAS application status: Your NSFAS online portal will display updates on your application, including confirmation of registration data being sent to Unisa.
2. Check your Unisa student account: If you log in to your myUnisa account, you should see no outstanding balance for the registration fee.
3. Check your myLife email: Unisa sends official communication, including registration confirmation, to your myLife email address.

What if I pay the registration fee at Unisa before NSFAS confirmation?

If you’ve already paid the registration fee before receiving confirmation of NSFAS funding, you can ask Unisa for a refund once your funding is confirmed. Unisa pays refunds of R100 or more, except on payments made by another sponsor or bursary. Here’s what to do:

1. Wait for confirmation from NSFAS regarding your funding status.
2. Once confirmed, email dsf-nsfas@unisa.ac.za (NSFAS queries) or finan@unisa.ac.za (fees) with your student number and proof of your NSFAS funding and payment.
3. The Unisa finance department will process your refund request.

I always advise that you wait for NSFAS confirmation before making any upfront payments to avoid unnecessary delays with refunds.

What if my NSFAS application is still pending when registration opens?

If your NSFAS application is still under review when Unisa registration opens, don’t panic. Here are your options:

1. Contact NSFAS: Inquire about the estimated processing timeline for your application.
2. Contact Unisa: Email dsf-nsfas@unisa.ac.za about your funding status. Do not wait past the registration closing date, because Unisa does not accept late registrations or payments for any reason.

What if my NSFAS application is declined?

If your NSFAS application is declined, you’ll be responsible for settling the registration fee at Unisa and any other outstanding fees before accessing your studies. 

Unisa offers various payment options, including installments.