I bet you want to know all about the NSFAS N+ Rule too, Please read on.
The NSFAS N+ Rule is a guideline used by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to determine the duration of financial support a student can receive for their studies.
Hmm… It is a little direct; let’s break it up for you.
Table of Contents [hide]
What is the N+ Rule?
The N+ Rule refers to the number of years NSFAS will fund a student, calculated as N + 2 years
- N = the minimum number of years it takes to complete a qualification (as per university curriculum).
- The “+2” = an additional 2 years of funding to accommodate for academic disruptions, repeats, or other issues.
EXAMPLE:
If you’re studying for a 3-year degree (N = 3):
- NSFAS will fund you for up to 5 years (3 + 2 = 5 years).
- If you don’t complete your qualification within 5 years, your funding will be stopped.
Important Notes:
- The rule applies per qualification, not across your lifetime. So if you change courses or institutions, NSFAS looks at the total number of years already funded.
- If you fail or repeat too many years, you might exceed your N+2 limit.
- Students moving from TVET to university or doing postgrad certificates may be affected differently.
Are There Any Exceptions to NSFAS N+ Rule?
- Students with disability and certain special cases (like serious medical conditions) can apply for extensions with proper documentation.
- NSFAS may review individual cases under appeal.
Do you understand it better now? Let us know in the comments if you have any problems.
