Does NSFAS fund pregnant students? Students who fall pregnant during or just before their studies, still have equal rights to education, just like any other student in South Africa. Even when it comes to funding and bursaries, no student will be denied a bursary and funding just because they are pregnant.
NSFAS is a government entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training established according to the NSFAS Act (Act 56 of 1999) to provide financial support to disadvantaged students who wish to further their studies at public universities or TVET colleges.
Does NSFAS fund pregnant students and why?
Pregnancy is a natural occurrence in the course of human life which has the consequence of changing the circumstances of those directly affected by the process. NSFAS, along with all universities in South Africa, believe that students should not be unduly hampered in their studies due to pregnancy. So the answer is yes, NSFAS will fund pregnant students.
Students will only no longer qualify for NSFAS funding if they don’t meet the following requirements:
- Must be a South African citizen / permanent resident
- Combined gross household income should not exceed R350 000 per annum
- Combined gross household income (persons living with disabilities) should not exceed R600 000 per annum
- SASSA recipients automatically qualify on financial eligibility
- Must have email and cell phone number
