NSFAS Funding 2027 Application Documents Required

If you are planning to apply for NSFAS funding for the 2027 academic year, one of the most important things you can do is prepare your supporting documents in advance.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) uses information provided by applicants and, where applicable, their parents, guardians or spouses to assess eligibility. Based on the current NSFAS application process, the system generates a list of documents that an applicant may need to upload according to their circumstances.

Important: NSFAS has not yet published a final 2027 document checklist. Therefore, the list below is based on the latest official NSFAS requirements and should be used as a preparation guide. The exact documents required for the NSFAS 2027 application may change when the official 2027 application cycle opens.

What Documents Are Required for NSFAS 2027?

The documents you may need for an NSFAS 2027 funding application include:

• Your South African ID or birth certificate
• ID documents of your parent or parents
• ID document of your legal guardian or spouse, where applicable
• Proof of household income, where applicable
• NSFAS Consent Form, where applicable
• NSFAS Declaration Form, where applicable
• Orphan and Vulnerable Child Declaration Form, where applicable
• Disability Annexure Form and supporting medical documentation, where applicable
• Proof of legal guardianship, where applicable
• Death certificate, where applicable
• Divorce decree, where applicable
• Retrenchment documentation, where applicable
• Other supporting documents requested by NSFAS

NSFAS states that the application system determines the supporting documents required according to the applicant’s circumstances.

See also: NSFAS Funding | How to Know If NSFAS will Fund You

NSFAS 2027 Identity Documents

One of the most important documents to prepare is proof of identity.

For the current NSFAS requirements, applicants may need to provide a copy of their South African ID document or birth certificate. Parents, guardians or spouses may also need to provide their identification documents where applicable.

If you have a South African smart ID card, make sure the copy is clear and includes the information NSFAS requires.

NSFAS currently states that it does not accept an affidavit or driver’s licence as proof of identity.

Documents for Parents or Guardians

If your application requires parental or guardian information, you may need to provide identification documents for the relevant parent, parents or guardian.

Make sure that the names and identification numbers you enter on the application correspond with the information contained in the supporting documents.

Incorrect personal information can delay the assessment of an application.

NSFAS 2027 Proof of Household Income

Proof of household income is another important part of the NSFAS application process for applicants who are required to provide financial information.

Depending on your household circumstances, NSFAS may require evidence relating to the income of your parent, parents, guardian, spouse or yourself.

Examples of financial documents that may be relevant include:

• Recent payslips
• Employment information
• UIF documentation
• Pension information
• SASSA-related documentation
• Other evidence of income requested by NSFAS

NSFAS’s current requirements indicate that applicants may need to provide proof of income where applicable. The organisation uses information from relevant sources to verify employment and income information.

If you are preparing for the 2027 application cycle, keep your recent income-related documents available rather than relying on documents from several months or years ago.

NSFAS Consent Form 2027

Some applicants may be required to complete an NSFAS Consent Form.

The consent process allows NSFAS to validate information supplied by the applicant and relevant household members against information from independent third-party sources.

The current NSFAS application guidance states that the Consent Form is applicable to certain non-SASSA applicants, while SASSA recipients do not require the form in the same circumstances.

If NSFAS includes the Consent Form among the documents generated for your application, complete it correctly and submit it according to the instructions on the portal.

NSFAS Declaration Form 2027

Some applicants may also be required to submit an NSFAS Declaration Form.

According to the current NSFAS application information, this form is used to verify parental or guardian details in applicable cases. The current guidance states that it applies to applicants aged 34 or younger.

Because the final 2027 requirements have not yet been published, applicants should check the official 2027 instructions when applications open before downloading or completing an older version of the form.

NSFAS Orphan and Vulnerable Child Declaration Form

Applicants who are orphans or recognised as vulnerable children may need additional documentation.

The current NSFAS guidance states that an Orphan and Vulnerable Child Declaration Form is applicable to certain applicants under 18 who are orphans or vulnerable children. The form is completed by the appropriate social worker in the circumstances specified by NSFAS.

If this applies to you, check your myNSFAS account for the specific document required for your application.

NSFAS Disability Documents 2027

Students living with disabilities may need to provide additional documentation.

The current NSFAS process requires a completed and signed Disability Annexure Form where applicable. NSFAS also instructs applicants to combine the relevant medical report with the Disability Annexure when creating the file for submission.

If you are applying under the disability category, prepare the relevant medical information and wait for the official 2027 instructions to confirm the exact form and requirements.

Proof of Legal Guardianship

If you are being supported by a legal guardian rather than your biological parents, NSFAS may require evidence confirming the guardianship arrangement.

The current NSFAS FAQ states that an applicant who indicates that they have a legal guardian must provide proof of guardianship issued by a court. It also provides separate guidance for certain guardianship situations that are not court-appointed.

Make sure your guardianship information is accurate before submitting your application.

Death Certificate

If one or both of your parents are deceased, NSFAS may request a copy of the relevant death certificate.

The current NSFAS document guidance lists death certificates among the additional documents that may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

This information can be important because NSFAS needs accurate household and parental information when assessing an application.

Divorce Decree

If your parents are divorced and this affects your household circumstances, NSFAS may request a divorce decree or related supporting documentation.

The current NSFAS guidance specifically lists a divorce decree among documents that may be required where applicable.

Only provide this document if it is relevant to your circumstances or if NSFAS requests it.

Retrenchment Documents

If a parent, guardian, spouse or other relevant household member has recently been retrenched, NSFAS may request evidence of the retrenchment.

A retrenchment letter is listed by NSFAS among documents that may be required depending on the circumstances of the applicant.

Keep any official documentation relating to a recent change in household income available in case it is requested.

SASSA Recipients and NSFAS Documents

If you or a relevant household member receives a SASSA grant, your application may be assessed differently from applicants who need to provide other forms of household-income evidence.

The current NSFAS requirements state that SASSA recipients do not need to complete the Consent Form in the same circumstances as non-SASSA applicants.

However, do not assume that you will not be asked for any documents. The myNSFAS system will indicate the documents required for your particular application.

Do NSFAS Applicants Need Academic Results?

Applicants should also have their academic information available.

The exact academic information required depends on the applicant and study situation. NSFAS may verify information through institutions and other relevant systems.

The safest approach is to ensure that your academic information, identification details and institution information are accurate when completing your application.

Do not upload an old academic document simply because it was used for a previous application unless NSFAS specifically asks for it.

Does NSFAS Require Certified Documents?

Applicants should not automatically assume that every document must be certified.

The current NSFAS online application process relies partly on information verification through third-party data sources, while additional supporting documents are requested according to the applicant’s circumstances.

Follow the instructions displayed on your myNSFAS account for the 2027 application.

If NSFAS specifies a particular format, certification requirement or document type, follow that instruction rather than relying on an old checklist found online.

How Does NSFAS Tell You Which Documents to Upload?

One of the most important things to understand about the NSFAS application process is that not every applicant will have exactly the same document checklist.

NSFAS states that the application system generates a list of required documents based on the application type and the information supplied by the applicant.

Therefore, you should not worry if another applicant has a different document list.

For example, a student with a disability may have to provide a Disability Annexure, while another applicant may not.

Similarly, an applicant with a legal guardian may need guardianship documentation, while a student living with their biological parents may not.

How to Upload NSFAS 2027 Documents

Once the 2027 NSFAS application system is available, applicants should use their myNSFAS accounts to complete the application and upload any documents requested by the system.

The current NSFAS application process follows these basic steps:

1. Visit the official NSFAS website.
2. Create or access your myNSFAS account.
3. Complete the required application information.
4. Upload the supporting documents requested for your application.
5. Submit the application.
6. Regularly monitor your myNSFAS account for updates or requests for additional documents.

Applicants should keep copies of documents they submit for their own records.

What Happens If NSFAS Requests Missing Documents?

If NSFAS identifies missing information or documents after you submit your application, you may receive a notification through your myNSFAS account.

The current NSFAS process requires applicants who receive a request for supporting documents to log into myNSFAS and upload the requested documents. NSFAS currently gives applicants 30 days to submit requested missing documents after receiving the notification.

Failing to provide requested documents within the applicable period can result in the application being considered incomplete.

For this reason, regularly checking your myNSFAS account is extremely important.

How to Prepare for NSFAS 2027 Applications

You can start preparing before the official 2027 application window opens.

Create a folder on your phone, computer or secure cloud storage and keep clear copies of important documents.

Your preparation folder can contain:

• Your ID document
• Parent or guardian ID documents
• Recent proof of household income
• SASSA information where applicable
• Guardianship documents where applicable
• Disability documentation where applicable
• Death certificates where applicable
• Divorce documentation where applicable
• Retrenchment documents where applicable
• Relevant academic records

When the 2027 application opens, check the official NSFAS requirements again and remove or add documents according to the updated checklist.

Where to Apply for NSFAS 2027 Funding

NSFAS applications are submitted online through the official NSFAS platform.

You can access the official NSFAS website here: https://www.nsfas.org.za/

Applicants should be cautious of people who ask for payment to complete an NSFAS application or promise guaranteed funding.

The official NSFAS application process is free, and students should protect their ID numbers, passwords, and other personal information.