Why NSFAS Doesn’t Fund an Advanced Diploma

NSFAS doesn’t fund advanced diplomas because, from the 2021 academic year, NSFAS stopped funding postgraduate courses. An Advanced Diploma is considered a postgraduate qualification.

NSFAS will also not fund postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, honours degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs.

NSFAS funding is strictly aimed at funding undergraduate circular courses / or formal courses, like Diplomas and Degrees. According to NSFAS, their current budgets can only afford to pay for underprivileged learners who don’t have any tertiary qualification as yet. Check NSFAS Requirements here.

Now what are the alternative funding methods for postgraduate courses that NSFAS won’t fund?

If you are seeking funding for postgraduate qualifications, please contact the National Research Foundation (NRF). Visit their website at www.nrf.ac.za for application dates and further information.

Here are some alternative funding methods to consider:

• Get a job and pay for your studies yourself.
• If employed already, you can ask your employer to fund your postgraduate studies.
• Apply for bursaries and scholarships that fund postgraduate studies.