Does NSFAS fund teaching courses? I would be asking the same question if I am a student or from an underprivileged background but very hopeful to further my education and by education, I mean higher education. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a government agency that is meant to provide financial assistance to students who have all plans of furthering their education. The scheme provides this money in the form of an allowance on a monthly basis.
This article will look at the courses that the NSFAS funds especially when it comes to teaching courses. By the end of reading this article, you will know if you are going to receive any funding if you are a student looking at considering a career in teaching.
To find out more, continue reading.
Does NSFAS Fund Teaching Courses?
As mentioned earlier, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a government body that is focused on providing financial assistance to students who are willing to further their higher education. Before one becomes a beneficiary of the scheme, there is a need for them to go through the registration process. This is where they create an account on the NSFAS self portal, fill and complete the form with their details and upload documents that proves that everything that has been written is nothing but the truth. From that, you will wait for NSFAS to accept your application, once they accept it, you will receive funding every month.
The funding comes ten times in the year that is from February to November. The only month that the NSFAS does not fund is in December and January.
READ ALSO: How Long Does NSFAS Take To Respond To Appeals
If you are asking if the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, then the answer is a yes. The scheme accepts and funds teaching courses. Here is a list of teaching courses that are funded by the NSFAS;
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed): this type of education is the one that provides students with qualifications in teaching where they can teach at educational levels, including Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, and Senior Phase.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): This is a type of qualification that is typically designed for graduates with goals and wishes to pursue a teaching career. The National Students Financial Aid Scheme funds students who are eligible but they have to meet the necessary criteria.
Which Careers Does NSFAS Fund?
There are a good amount of careers that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme funds. For a student to qualify for the NSFAS, they have to go through the application process after which they will be accepted or rejected. Following that, students must know that the NSFAS only funds students who are in the public universities or TVET colleges.
Here is a list of careers that are funded by the NSFAS;
NSFAS funds undergraduate qualifications (not postgraduate) that lead to careers in:
- Education
Teaching (B.Ed)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE – still funded)
- Health Sciences
Nursing
Medicine
Pharmacy
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Radiography
Dietetics
- Engineering & Technology
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, and Mining Engineering
Information Technology
Computer Science
Software Development
- Business & Finance
Accounting
Economics
Business Management
Human Resource Management
Public Administration
- Law and Social Sciences
LLB (Law)
Social Work
Psychology
Political Science - Sciences
Environmental Science
Agricultural Science
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
TVET College Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS supports students pursuing:
- National Certificate Vocational (NC(V))
Office Administration
Finance, Economics & Accounting
Engineering & Related Design
Primary Health
Hospitality
Safety in Society
- Report 191 (NATED) Programmes
Engineering Studies (N1–N6)
Business Management
Management Assistant
Electrical Infrastructure Construction
Tourism
Educare
- Occupational Programs
Funded if approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
Which Courses Does NSFAS Not Fund?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is meant to provide financial assistance to prospective students who are looking at furthering their education in whatever field they choose. Although the funds serve as a financial support for these students, they do not fund all courses. Those are particular courses that the NSFAS funds and some that they refuse to fund. Some of the courses the NSFAS funds includes;
Medicine
Pharmacy
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Radiography
Dietetics amongst others.
The courses the NSFAS does not fund are;
Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., Honours, Master’s, PhD)
Short courses, certificates, or part-time programs
Courses offered at private colleges or universities
Second undergraduate degrees
Non-credited or non-NQF aligned programs
It must be noted that the NSFAS only funds courses that are either taken in a public university or a TVET college. If for any reason you are uncertain about which course is funded by the NSFAS and which is not funded, you can always go back on their official website to check out the full list.
READ ALSO: What Does NSFAS Provisionally Funded Mean?
How Long Does the Teaching Course Take?
There is no specific answer when it comes to answering the duration of a teaching course. This is because the duration varies depending on the type of qualification it is. Let’s check out these teaching courses and their duration and whether they are funded by the NSFAS or not.
1. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.): The duration of this course is typically four years. This course qualifies you to teach at Foundation, Intermediate, Senior, or FET Phase levels and it is funded by the NSFAS.
2.Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): The duration of this course is one year if you are going full time and two years if you are going part time. Before you qualify to take up this course, you have to hold a bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA or BSc). It is generally not funded by the NSFAS unless the qualification is a scarce one or specific bursaries. That is when the NSFAS will fund it.
3. Diploma in Education / TVET College Educator Courses: This is a three years duration course. It is taken in either a public university or a TVET college. The course will be funded by the NSFAS if and only if it is taken in either a public or TVET college.
Conclusion
There is a whole array of funding that the NSFAS does but when it comes to teaching, it primarily has courses that it funds and those that the scheme will refuse to fund, unless otherwise stated. This article took you through some of these teaching courses that are funded by the NSFAS and those that will not or are not funded by the NSFAS. Before enrolling for such a qualification, always make sure you have done your checks and done your due diligence in order not to be found wanting.
READ ALSO: How Many Months Does NSFAS Give Allowance
FAQs
What Is The Eligibility Criteria For NSFAS Funding For Teachers
NSFAS does a lot of funding which includes but not limited to the following;
The first criteria the applicant must meet is making sure they are a South African native.
The NSFAS is mainly for South Africans so if you are not from the country, you have a slim to no chance.
- They should make sure they are coming from a household who their annual household income amounts to R350,000
- Another criteria to meet is to make sure you are already enrolled in TVET college or they are planning to or they are enrolled in a public university.
- They have to also make sure they have met all the academic requirements, that is they have completed Grade 12 or equivalent qualification.
Note that the NSFAS does not fund teaching qualifications in private institutions and for a student to still enjoy the benefits that comes with the funding, they must continually prove themselves by making sure they are achieving remarkable or progressive grades. Last but not least, Funding is generally available for first-time undergraduate qualifications. However, the PGCE is an exception and is funded as a postgraduate qualification.
Which courses are funded by NSFAS?
Below is the list of some of the courses that are funded by the NSFAS but not limited.
Engineering and Related Design
Information Technology and Computer Sciences
Education and Training
Health Sciences
Business, Commerce, and Management Studies
Humanities and Social Sciences
Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Art and Design
Hospitality, Tourism, and Travel
Safety in Society
What courses Are Not Funded By NSFAS?
The courses the NSFAS does not fund are;
Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., Honours, Master’s, PhD)
Short courses, certificates, or part-time programs
Courses offered at private colleges or universities
Second undergraduate degrees
Non-credited or non-NQF aligned programs
It must be noted that the NSFAS only funds courses that are either taken in a public university or a TVET college. If for any reason you are uncertain about which course is funded by the NSFAS and which is not funded, you can always go back on their official website to check out the full list.
Does NSFAS Fund Diploma Courses?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is there to provide financial assistance to students who are furthering their education. Whereas they are there to make sure education is accessible to many people, there are courses that the scheme will not fund. When it comes to Diploma courses, we are in the clear. NSFAS funds Diploma courses, however, they do not fund all Diploma courses.
73cvwd