NSFAF Online Application 2023-2024

What types of financial assistance are offered by the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF)? The Fund offers the following types of Financial Assistance:
1. 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.
2. 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 country- wide. Mobile teams will visit different

centres between December and March to assist potential applicants.
When is the closing date for submission of application forms? 31st March each year. Applications

submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
How do students apply for financial assistance?

31st March each year. Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
How do students apply for financial assistance?

Through an applicable application tile on NSFAF website (www.nsfaf.fund).
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.
At which international institutions of higher learning can I apply to obtain funding?

NQA accredited local and international institutions of higher learning. However, NSFAF only recognizes the following institutions of higher learning in the following countries:

Russia: Peoples’ Friendship University, First Moscow State Medical University and Saint Petersburg Engineering Academy, Ukraine: O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, Vinnitsa National Medical University and Kharkiv National Medical University,

India: JSS University and Oxford Nursing College.

China: Only for postgraduate and research students.
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 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.
When can I apply for the postgraduate financial assistance? Between December and March each year.
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.
Which are the priority fields of study for different levels of studies? 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.

Which are the priority fields of study for different levels of studies? Priority Field of studies are published annually for the purpose of granting

financial assistance. The list below was approved by the Minister of Higher education for 2017 and will be updated for the 2018 application.

PRIORITY FIELD OF STUDY AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL

HIGH PRIORITY FIELDS	MEDIUM PRIORITY FIELDS	LOW PRIORITY FIELDS
Education: Early Childhood Pre-Primary Science Education: Mathematics Physical Sciences	Engineering: Mechanical Electrical Electronic Civil Mining	Law
Secondary Education TVET Instructor	Computing and Commu- nications
Agriculture/Fisheries includ- ing Crop and livestock Marine Biology Food Science and Technology Agriculture/Fisheries Tech- nologies	Computer Sciences and Technology Software design and development Hardware and Networking Data Management and Cyber-Security	Environmental Sciences Sport Sciences Coaching
Quantity Surveying	Applied Sciences Statistics Mathematics Robotics and Automation Mechatronics	Innovation Management Research Management
Forensics
Criminology
Architecture	Land Management and Surveying Forestry	Office Administration
Tourism and Hospitality Logistics	Management Science: Financial Management and Accounting Operational and Strategic Management Governance and Leader- ship	Public Administration/ Management Personnel or Human Re- sources Management

Information Sciences: Librarians Archivist		Chemical Sciences
Hydrology and Water Man- agement	Health Sciences: Medicine Pharmacy Dentistry Nursing Allied Health Sciences	Urban and Rural Planning
	Psychology Social Work
	Pilots

PRIORITY FIELD OF STUDY AT POSTGRADUATE LEVEL

HIGH PRIORITY FIELDS	MEDIUM PRIORITY FIELDS	LOW PRIORITY FIELDS
Education: Early Childhood Science Education, Mathemat- ics, Physical Sciences Secondary Education	Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic Civil and Structural Mining Computing and Commu- nications	Law Valuation
Agriculture Veterinary Sciences Food Science and Technology	Computer Sciences and Technology Satellite Science and Technology Software Design and Development Data Management and Cyber-Security	Environmental Sciences Sport Sciences Coaching Physical Education
Actuarial Sciences		Forestry
Forensic Phycology	Land Management and Surveying	Office Administration
Health Sciences Paediatric Surgery Pathology	Management Sciences Chartered Financial Ac- counting Operational and Strategic Management Governance and Leader- ship	Public Administration/ Management Personnel or Human Re- sources Management
Indigenous Knowledge		Chemical Sciences

Tourism and Hospitality	Health Sciences Pharmacy Nursing Allied Health Science	Urban and Rural Planning
Forensics	Psychology Social Work
Hydrology and Water Man- agement		Disaster Management
		Climate Research

PRIORITY FIELD OF STUDY AT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

HIGH PRIORITY FIELDS	LOW PRIORITY FIELDS
HIGH PRIORITY FIELDS	(VOCATIONAL TRAINING)
Diesel/Petrol Mechanics Electrician	(VOCATIONAL TRAINING)
Diesel/Petrol Mechanics Electrician	Welding and Coded Welding
Crane, Hoist and Lift Operator	General Construction (Bricklaying/
Heavy Plant Operator	Plastering)
Hospitality and Culinary Arts	Forklift Driving
Travel and Tourism (Hospitality)	Carpentry/Joinery
Spray Painting	Boiler Maker
Auto-Mechanics	Painters
Mine Surveying	Fitter and Turner
Logistics	Engineering
IT Security	Food Production
Manufacturing: Joinery and	Construction Carpentry
Cabinet Making	Road and Transport
Boil Maker	Construction Management
Metal Fabrication	Sport Management
Verti-Culture (Making wine)	Environmental Education and
Agriculture	Protection
Clothing Production	Plumbing Technology
Art and Design	Industrial Engineering
Music	Computer Aided Design
Game Technology	Computer Maintenance
Electrical Construction (light/ current/heave current)	Cyber-Security
Wood Technology and Wood
Production
Engineering
Three-Dimension Design
Welding Engineering
Water Engineering

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,

cannot find employment, he/she may postpone repayment by notifying NSFAF in writing.
1. 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
but will re-activate the funding once one has progressed and submitted proof to that effect.
Will I be able to change the

employment status;
- Student’s consent to the Loan/Grant agreement for loan deductions after the completion or cancellation of studies;
course or the institution of higher learning after I have submitted the proof of registration?

Yes, provided that your application for change is approved.
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.
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.
Do beneficiaries have to pay the money back after completing their studies?

All loans are repayable upon completion and gainfully employed.
When must I start repaying my student loan?

Within six months of completing studies and secure employment. If a student

Any change in contact details, employment status and details of his/ her employer.