Finance

I am a NSFAS-funded senior student and am concerned because I can’t register until NSFAS pays my down payments. When and how will I know that I will receive NSFAS funding this year?

We are aware of the challenge faced by our students funded by NSFAS. You’ll be informed of the outcome of your NSFAS application as soon as the NSFAS forms get uploaded onto the system.

Where can students apply for financial aid during this NSFAS walk-in period?

Students should go to the Financial Aid offices at North Campus.

How will I know whether I qualify for Scholar Merit?

The Scholar Merit Award scheme rewards top performing students for the marks achieved in the final grade 12 exams. The better the student’s marks, the greater the discount on their fees. No application is necessary – the bursary is awarded automatically. Points are awarded for the symbols obtained in each of your six NSC subjects (excl. Life Orientation) and the amount is linked to the total merit points achieved. Points are awarded for the symbols obtained in each of your six NSC subjects (excluding Life Orientation) and the amount is linked to the total merit points achieved. Students with an APS score of more than 38 points will qualify for a Scholar Merit.

What different types of fees are payable?

Enrolment fees

Enrolment fees are debited to a student’s account and are payable annually.

Down-payments / Registration fees

The down-payment is the first advance payment towards tuition fees. The amount will be credited towards your student fees account.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are calculated according to the number of modules elected or the study programme the applicant has applied for. These fees vary. A detailed account can only be provided once an applicant has registered at NMMU for a particular programme.

Residence fees

Students who have been accepted into one of NMMU’s residences will be required to pay a down-payment payable before registration, a residence breakage deposit as well as payment towards meals provided by the university. In addition to your standard residence fee students living in res are also required to pay an initial upfront down-payment, breakage deposit as well as registration fees. For more information consult the NMMU Finance Guide.

How do I know whether I form part of the missing middle?

If the combined family income is less than R 600 000 and student does not qualify for a NSFAS loan, the student may apply on the web with proof of income. Go to:

http://financialaid.nmmu.ac.za/StudNoLogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

to apply for exemption from having to pay the increase.

Does my family have to pay the 8% fee increase for 2017?

Yes, if your combined household income is more than R600 000 annually, you will need to pay the 8% fee increase. If your family is part of the so-called “missing middle” and earns less than this figure annually, you will need to apply for a grant. Go to http://financialaid.nmmu.ac.za/ for further details.

As a student, how do I apply to be excused from paying the 8% increase?

If your combined household income is less than R600 000, verification processes need to be followed. You are eligible if you are South African, your gross family increase is no more than R600 000 and you are not supported by university trust funds or other forms of donar funding.

You need to apply and supply:

A certified copy of ID of your parents/legal guardians/spouse
A consent form signed by your parents/legal guardians/spouse that allowed for verification of the information provided
Information on any party sponsoring your studies

The application form, and further relevant details, can be found by going to http://financialaid.nmmu.ac.za/

Do I still need to pay a down payment?

All students need to pay their down payment, regardless of whether they are paying the 8% increase or not.

I attended a school in the quintile 1/2/3. Do I have to pay the 8% increase?

Students who attended a non-fee school do not have to pay the 8% increase. They do not have to apply for the grant either as their details are automatically uploaded during registration.

I live in Zimbabwe. Do I pay to the 8% increase?

The grant is only applicable for South African citizens. Unfortunately, all foreign students will have to pay the increase.

Does the DHET grant include tuition and accommodation?

The 8% grant includes all tuition and university-managed accommodation.

I already receive NSFAS funding? Do I need to apply for the grant?

Those students who applied for NSFAS funding do not need to submit an application as you will automatically be considered.

I am hoping to receive a merit bursary from the University because I think I have done well in my matric exams. Will this preclude me from receiving the grant (and not pay the 8% increase)

If your combined family income is no more than R600 000 then you can apply for the grant. The fact that you are likely to receive a merit bursary for your academic results will not impact on this. If, however, you are receiving university or outside donor support for your studies you will not qualify for the grant.

Who makes the decision regarding whether a student qualifies for the grant or not?

NMMU will make the decision based on verification processes. These claims will verified and audited by the Department of Higher Education as part of the 2017 HEMIS auditing process.

As a first-year student, will I still be able to apply for NSFAS funding in January?

The cycle will re-open for a short period in January for students to apply then.

Will NMMU be compensated for the grant?

The DHET has committing to compensating NMMU 8% for every student who receives the grant. The transfer of funding will only be completed upon the DHET’s receipt of the database of the poor and missing middle cohort (ID, name, student number, 2017 tuition fees, 2017 accommodation fees and fees adjustment).

What about senior students when it comes to the 8% fee adjustment. How do we fit in?

New 2017 first time entry students who qualify for NSFAS in the 2017 academic year (a combined family income of no more than R122 000 per annum). They are automatically accepted and do not have to apply for the grant
Continuing 2017 NSFAS qualifying students. This data will be made available to NMMU by NSFAS
Students who have applied for NSFAS funding in 2017 but have not qualified due to family income above the NSFAS threshold (R122 000 per annum). These applications could be used to enable universities to identify missing middle students whose combined family income is up to R600 000. NSFAS will provide this data to NMMU.
Students who have applied to NSFAS and found eligible but were not funded due to a shortage of funds.
Students from quintiles 1, 2 and 3 will be automatically eligible for the grant and will not be required to complete the means test.

How does the 8% reduction fee work?

The 8% fee reduction seems to be an issue. This process is only about reducing the 2017 fees by 8%. All of the requirements – clearing outstanding debt, meeting the down payment costs and paying university tuition and residence fees – still need to be met. The value of the reduction (for all students whose families earn R600 000 or less) will be calculated once registration and late registration is over. Thereafter, a credit will be passed to the relevant student account. This process has absolutely nothing to do with debt relief or paying of down payments.

Will there be an appeals process should I not be accepted as a grant recipient?

NMMU has established a Financial Aid Task Team and appeals committee to deal with all issues. All students can appeal as the University does not want eligible students to have been prejudiced because of administrative or any other errors. The University is committed to fairness in evaluating the applications for the 2017 fee adjustment grant.