NSFAF FAQ | Useful Guide

Table of Contents

NSFAF Frequently Asked Questions

I was awarded a NSFAF loan for 2 years in 2012 and the contract was for 3 years. It’s now [year]… How do I reactivate my loan?

Note that a student has a maximum of two years to reactivate a loan. After that, the student should submit a new application (you are required to reapply). However, the number of years NSFAF will pay may be affected, depending on the number of years you were initially funded.

Why are you not funding articulating Students?

If a student is articulating from Diploma to Degree, the student is required to submit a new application for a loan. The application will be evaluated as per the Degree Level funding requirements, i.e. 25 points in five subjects and F in English.

For student articulating from Diploma to Degree, How do they apply for NSFAF funding?

Applications are made online. Please visit their website on https://nsfaf.na to access the link. The closing date for 2021 is 16 March 2021.

I just registered, how do I provide the proof of registration to NSFAF?

Students will be notified when to upload the proof of registration.

Hello, I applied for my sister but she didn’t get a password for portal login. We tried to email and call to provided contacts but to no avail, after 7 working days waiting for email reply as they promised.

Hi, please contact 2021intake@nsfaf.na

I tried applying last year but didn’t qualify but now I’m doing Diploma now I want to reapply but I’m unable to login. I need assistance on that

Please contact 2021intake@nsfaf.na

Hi.. Can I apply for a loan now while waiting for my course of study’s September intake?

Yes, You can.

Hey, if you are a beneficiary and change mode of study e.g from full time to distance, will NSFAF still pay?

Hi, yes, NSFAF will still fund a student who changed the study mode. Funding may be interrupted in the case of a change of institution, course or a failed academic year.

How do I change my mode of communication. I want NSFAF to send all my notifications to my new email.

Kindly contact Student Relations on 061 434 6000/81/82/88/90/96/97 or email studentsrelations@nsfaf.na

I would like to talk to someone about the NSFAF application process, who do I contact?

For any queries related to the application process, kindly contact us on the following telephone numbers: +264 61 434 6012/6013/6081/6082/6083/6088/6090/6096/6097 or please send an email to awardqueries@nsfaf.na or 2021intake@nsfaf.na

When are continuing students renewing their NSFAF contracts?

Please note that NSFAF continuing beneficiaries are not required to re-contract

How do I upload my proof of registration? It seems like there is no where to click and upload

Kindly wait for your application to be validated then u will be able to upload proof of registration copy

I completed 2012 and I forgot my candidate number , what should I do?

It’s on the certificate

Since last week.. those are the numbers I’ve been calling.

You might be using the old telephone numbers. Their contact numbers changed in 2018. You may reach them on 061 434 6000/81/83/94.

What types of financial assistance
are offered by the Namibia Students
Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF)?

The Fund offers the following types of Financial Assistance:

A. Student loans:
This financial assistance covers tuition fees, transportation, textbooks and accommodation. The loan is repayable to
the Fund upon completion of study and secured employment.

B. Scholarships:
A scholarship can be granted on full or partial basis and is non-repayable.
For a full scholarship the Fund will cover full tuition, registration fees, textbooks and living expenses.
For a partial scholarship the Fund will cover full tuition, registration fees and textbooks. Living expenses should be catered from a different source.

When do I apply for financial assistance with the Fund?

Between December and March each year

Where can I obtain the application information should I be interested in applying?

NSFAF website (www.nsfaf.fund) as well on distributed brochures and flyers available at 14 regional offices countrywide. Mobile teams will visit different centres between December and March to assist potential applicants.

How do students apply for financial assistance?

31st March each year. Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

What documents are needed when applying for financial assistance?

Certified copies of the following are required:
• Namibian citizenship
• Full birth certificate
• Namibian Identity Card (ID)
• Grade 12 Statement of results
• ID of parents/guardians
• Proof of parental income. In the absence of proof of income or if unemployed, a sworn declaration must be made before a Commissioner of Oaths by parent(s) or guardian(s) themselves. This requirement is only for financial assistance purposes and has nothing to do with matter of maintenance.
• Proof of income for employed applicants.
• Proof of admission or registration from Institutions of Higher Learning/ VTCs.
• Offer letters or notice of provisional admission for studies at foreign or SADC institutions.
• Mature age entry certificate. This is only applicable to students at local Institutions of Higher Learning.

What are the minimum requirements to qualify for financial assistance at local and international institutions?

• 25 points in Grade 12 in five subjects, with an F symbol in English in Namibia.
• 30 points in Grade 12 in five subjects, with an E symbol or better in English for study at Regional/International institution.
• 35 points in Grade 12 in five subjects, with an E symbol or better in English for study towards Engineering and Medicine at Regional / International institution.
• Post-Grade 12 qualification evaluated at NQF Level 5 with 20 points in Grade 12 in five subjects, with an F symbol in English.
• 22 points in six subjects at Grade 10 level for vocational training programme.
• Mature age entry certificate and 23 of age.

When can students expect to be informed about the outcome of their applications?

Between January and August each year.

What is the selection procedure for students applying for Vocational Education and Training?

Students registered with a recognized VTC are automatically funded.

Can I qualify for financial assistance if I want to continue with my degree immediately after completing my diploma?

Yes, provided that one meets the NSFAF requirements and the programme of study is in line with the diploma that was previously funded.
No, if the programme of study is not in line with the previous qualification. In such a case, students are required to apply afresh for financial assistance for the new degree programme.

Can I qualify for financial assistance if I want to continue with postgraduate studies immediately
after completing my undergraduate degree?

Yes, provided that you meet all requirements for funding and the programme of study is in line with the undergraduate field that was previously funded.

How do I know whether I have been awarded financial assistance or not?

Notification through SMS and email. Please ensure that you provide valid cellular phone number and email address

When does NSFAF effect payments at institutions of higher learning?

On submission of proof of registration, a certified copy of the previous year’s academic records and receipt of a valid invoice from the institution of high learning.

Will the fund pay for my studies if I have failed an academic year?

No, the fund does not pay for repetition, but will re-activate the funding once one has progressed and submitted proof to that effect.

Will I be able to change the course or the institution of higher learning after I have submitted the proof of registration?

Yes, provided that your application for change is approved.

When must I start repaying my student loan?

What is the process of paying back a loan?
• Complete contact details, indicating postal and residential addresses including actual and permanent residence;
• Details of his/her employer and employment status;
• Student’s consent to the Loan/Grant agreement for loan deductions after the completion or cancellation of studies;
• Any change in contact details, employment status and details of his/ her employer.

When must I start repaying my
student loan?

Within six months of completing studies and secure employment. If a student cannot find employment, he/she may postpone repayment by notifying NSFAF in writing.

Do beneficiaries have to pay the money back after completing their studies?

All loans are repayable upon completion and gainfully employed.

If I have a loan/grant or I’m on a NSFAF scholarship, studying abroad, and my course requires me to do an internship back at home, will the Fund cover my travelling expenses?

A return flight ticket may be issued, provided that such internship is an integral part of the curriculum leading to graduation.

What happens in a case where my academic cost is higher than the amount awarded—will the Fund cover the difference?

No, NSFAF will only cover the amount as per approved rates and as indicated on the award letter. Students should find other means to cover the shortfall.

Do students have to pay the money back after completing their studies?

Yes, if it was a loan. For the Income Contingent Loan, the repayments start when the individual is employed. By paying back your NSFAF study loan, you are paying it so that the Fund will be able to
assist someone else who needs it just as much as you did.

When am I expected to repay my student loan?

• The time required to start repaying is within six months of completing studies. If a student cannot find employment, it is possible to postpone repayment; in such a case, the request for postponement of repayment must be made to the Board of NSFAF in writing.
• Immediately once the beneficiary has secured employment and earning a taxable amount
• When the student has not completed their studies and thus committed breach of contract

How often do you send Loan
statement?

Statements are send via emails once each month.

What are the modes of repayment?

Direct Bank Deposits
Salary Deductions
Electronic Funds Transfer
Debit Orders

BANK DETAILS:
Account Name: NSFAF
Account number: 800 484 589 4
Branch Code: 482 172
Bank Name: Bank Windhoek

How do I pay my loan from abroad?

If the beneficiary resides abroad, he/she can pay by Electronic Funds Transfer into NSFAF Recovery Account and email proof of payments to the respective consultant dealing with his or her account.

What happens if I default?

The loan is charged a compounded interest. Therefore when one defaults they suffer a compound interest charged on the account.

Can you clear in one instalment?

Yes, One can make the loan settlement at an instalment procedure.

Does NSFAF charge ledger fees?

There are no ledger fees charged on all NSFAF student loans.

What happens when I clear my loan?

You will be issued with a Redeemed Letter/certificate of clearance.

What happens if I overpay?

You will be issued with a Redeemed Letter/certificate of clearance.

What happens if I overpay?

NSFAF can waive the loan upon request from your next of kin. The request should be in writing and substantiated with a certified copy of the death certificate.

What happens if I change employers?

If the beneficiary was paying through employer’s deduction, a new arrangement can be made with the new employer for the salary deduction to continue. If the beneficiary was paying through other methods like direct deposit, debit orders and EFT the payment shall continue until the loan is redeemed.

Loans are not recoverable after six years. Is it applicable in your case?

Loans are recoverable as long as the debtor did not raise a case of prescription. The Prescription Act states 15 years in respect of any debt owed to the state and arising out of an advance or loan of money from the date the loan become payable. Any other loan of money prescribes after 3 years

How do you determine the monthly deduction rate?

There is currently no enforcement policy for a minimum monthly deduction. However, we encourage the debtor to pay an amount covering a portion of the loan capital and interest charged per month. For example if the interest charged on an account is NAD 250, we will encourage the person to pay a minimum of NAD 500 towards loan recovery

Does my employer need authority from me to make loan deductions?

Yes, your employer can only do deductions with the consent of the employee.

My employer stopped deductions from my pay what do I do in this case?

Loan repayment is your responsibility. Please keep track of your repayment until completion.

When am I eligible to apply for suspensions of loan repayment?

•When the debtor’s annual earnings fall below a taxable income threshold.
• When the debtor becomes unemployed.
• When the debtor becomes incapacitated due to medical conditions.
• When the debtor dies.
• When debtor goes for further studies without an income.

What is the process of paying back a loan?

The student must consult with NSFAF and provide the Fund with the following information:
• Complete contact details, indicating postal and residential addresses including actual and permanent residence;
• Details of his/her employer and employment status;
• Student’s consent to the Loan/Grant agreement for loan deductions after the completion or cancellation of studies;
• Any change in contact details, employment status and details of his/her employer.
• Also Refer to NSFAF Student Loans Repayment Guide

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