Appealing a Decline Due to NSFAS Funding
Students who previously received National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding are often declined for SASSA grants. If your studies are finished or you no longer receive NSFAS, you need to appeal this decision.
The system reads your ID number against databases and flags you as 'NSFAS funded'. That flag is not wrong — it is just outdated. The moment you finish your studies, that funding should no longer count against you, but the system does not know that until you prove it. Your appeal is how you tell SASSA: 'I was funded before, but I am not now.'
Steps to Appeal
Request NSFAS letter
Request a NSFAS Cancellation Letter or Completion Letter from NSFAS via the myNSFAS portal. Be specific about which one you ask for — if you finished studying, ask for the completion letter; if your funding was withdrawn, ask for the cancellation letter. Getting the right document the first time saves weeks.
Log into the appeal portal
Visit the ITSAA appeal portal at srd.dsd.gov.za. You will need your ID number and the phone number on your application.
Submit your appeal
State that you are no longer an active student and receive no educational allowances. Upload your NSFAS letter as proof. Add a short note in your own words about when you finished studying — it helps the reviewer understand your situation at a glance.
Timeline
Must be filed within 90 days. NSFAS letters can be requested via the myNSFAS portal.
Required Documents
- NSFAS Cancellation or Completion certificate
- Academic transcript showing completion
- Unemployment affidavit
Prove the Timing
The strongest appeals show a clear before-and-after: the NSFAS letter proves the funding stopped, and the academic transcript or completion certificate shows when it stopped. Together they close the loop — no 'still a student' doubt left.
Can active students get SASSA grants?
No, active tertiary students receiving NSFAS are not eligible for social grants as their living costs are already subsidised by the state.
How do I get a NSFAS cancellation letter?
Log into your myNSFAS account and request a 'Proof of Non-Funding' or 'Cancellation Letter' from the documents section.
I finished studying last year but never got the letter. Now what?
You can still request it from myNSFAS even after your studies ended — the record exists. If myNSFAS is slow, explain your situation in the appeal and upload whatever you have, like your final results or a letter from your institution. Evidence that shows the truth beats a missing document.
My appeal was denied but I really have no NSFAS funding anymore. What can I do?
First, check your latest status — the situation may have changed since you applied. If it is still a firm no, you cannot appeal the tribunal's decision, so look at reapplying with a fresh application and your up-to-date proof. Contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 if you believe the records are still wrong.
Need Official Assistance?
This is an independent informational resource. For official services — checking your grant status, updating your details, or submitting an appeal — please use the official SASSA portals directly: