Namibia Students’ Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) Funding Basic Eligibility Criteria

NSFAF Funding Requirements

Funding requirements are determined as per Local, SADC/International and postgraduates.

2022 Intakes in Namibia [Universities, Colleges, VTC Intake]

1.Local Funding Requirements

1.1 An applicant should be a Namibian citizen;

1.2 An applicant should apply to study full/part-time or distance at accredited and recognized Institutions of Higher Learning;

1.3 Applicants should have obtained 25 points (in grade 12) in five subjects with an F in English to qualify for funding at local Institutions of Higher Learning, however applicants intending to study Education and Law should obtain 25 points (in grade 12) in five subjects with a minimum of E in English;

1.4 Applicants who have improved their English through English Programme offered by institutions of higher learning will also be considered provided that such a programme is not less than three (3) months and they have obtained a pass;

1.5 Applicants who obtained post-grade 12 qualifications (minimum NQF Level 5) but have less than 25 points in grade 12/school leaving certificate may be considered for local Institutions if they have obtained a minimum of 20 points and an F in English in grade 12 or equivalent school leaving certificate. However, applicants who intend to study Education and Law should obtain an E in English in grade 12;

1.6 Applicant admitted on Mature Age Entry should be considered for funding provided that a proof of admission on mature age from the Institution is provided to NSFAF. Applicants should at least be 23 years old. Mature Age Entry is restricted to local Institutions only.

1.7 Pre or bridging programmes will only be considered if the programme is a pre-requisite of the formal programmes. In the event, where the pre-programme is only implemented for the students who did not meet the requirements of the actual programme, then application for those students will not be considered.

1.8 Applicants should provide proof of parental income, if unemployed a declaration under oath should be provided.

1.9 Loans and grants should be provided as from NQF Level 5.

1.10 Local students must have been registered at Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) to qualify for funding.

1.11 If Parental income is above N$750 000, NSFAF will not provide any funding, unless there is a proof of support for other siblings and/or legally adopted children at Institutions of Higher Learning.

1.12 If parental income is less than N$750 000, NSFAF will pay the full predetermined rate.

1.13 No application form will be accepted or considered with pending documents neither will it be forwarded to the Selection Committee.

1.14 No applicant should be considered for NSFAF funding, if already benefited for the programme at the same level. If such case is identified, the award would be forfeited.

1.15 Under no any circumstances should a student be awarded for funding who failed a previous academic year, and decide to apply for another programme. If such case is identified, the award would be nullified.

1.16 Foreign qualifications (including grade 12 certificates) should be submitted with an evaluation from Namibia Qualification Additional Funding Requirements (Part-time and or distance employed applicants)

Additional Funding Requirements (Part-time and or distance employed applicants)

1.17 Applicants (students) that are employed and studying part-time or distance may be funded depending on the field of study. This funding is limited to high and medium priority fields of study as determined annually by NSFAF, provided that their income does not exceed N$300,000 per annum. Financial assistance will be in the form of tuition fees only.

2.SADC/International Requirements

2.1 An Applicant should be a Namibian citizen.

2.2 Only Applicant applying to study full time at accredited and recognized Institutions of Higher Learning to be considered.

2.3 Funding for SADC and International is for higher and medium priority fields of study as determined from time to time.

2.4 Applicants should have obtained 35 points (in grade 12) in five subjects with an E in English to qualify for funding to study abroad in medicine, engineering and related fields of study.

2.5 For other priority fields of study applicants should have obtained 30 points (in grade 12) in five subjects with an E in English to qualify for funding abroad.

2.6 Applicants who intends to study in SADC/International must submit provisional admission prior to selection process, thereafter the proof of registration must be submitted without delay.

2.7 Admission letters obtained through Agencies will not be accepted by NSFAF.

2.8 NSFAF will only accept admission letters issued by the governments or Institutions of Higher Learning in which the students intend to study and must be in English.

Additional funding requirements for applicants whose parents/legal guardians are serving outside Namibia. (On behalf of Namibian governmental institutions)

2.9 Applicants should have obtained 25 points (in grade 12) in five subjects with an E in English to qualify for funding to study abroad excepts for medicine and engineering related fields of study which should be 35 points in grade 12) in five subjects with an E in English. Subject to NSFAF priority fields of study.

3. Vocational Education and Training financial assistance

As part of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund contribution to the national human resource development, the Fund deemed financial assistance to Vocational Education and Training as an important element to its mandate. Potential beneficiaries apply for placement to Government owned Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) and other private Vocational Training Providers. Financial assistance to VET beneficiaries is provided in the form of loan or a grant depending on the field of study. For high priority field of study, is a loan and non-tuition is a grant; for medium priority fields of study, the financial assistance is 100%. NSFAF does not sponsor non priority fields of studies at vocational level.

Application Process

Applications for VET should be completed in the prescribed NSFAF form and submitted to NSFAF before the deadline.

Requirements for VET financial assistance

The following criteria are used to determine the awarding for Vocational Education and Training:

3.1 Local VET requirements

3.1.1 Applicants should be Namibian citizens.

3.1.2 Full-time/Part-time Applicants studying at accredited and recognized Vocational Training Centres (Institutions registered under Vocational Education and Training Act 1 of 2008).

3.1.3 All applications must be completed on the appropriate application forms and should be submitted before the deadline.

3.1.4 Beneficiaries should be graded and obtain a minimum of 20 points in six (6) subjects in grade 10.

3.1.5 Beneficiaries should have obtained admission at an approved Vocational Training Centre in Namibia.

3.1.6 Beneficiaries should be studying high or medium priority fields of study as determined from time to time to qualify for funding

3.1.7 No students should be considered for NSFAF funding, if already benefited for the programme of the same level.

3.2 SADC/International requirements

3.2.1 Sponsorships for Vocational Education outside Namibia will be loans.

3.2.2 Applicants should be Namibian citizens

3.2.3 Applicant may be considered for funding to study at Institutions in the Republic of South Africa only in higher and medium priority field of study if the programme/level is not offered in Namibia.

3.2.4 Study abroad in Vocational Training Program in other countries will only be considered through Institutions identified by NSFAF.

3.3 Post-graduate financial assistanceThe purpose of post graduate studies is to support Namibian citizens who wish to pursue further studies towards honours, Masters, and PhD programmes of studies mostly in areas of with critical human resource shortage. Financial assistance to postgraduate beneficiaries is provided in the form of loans except for medicine and education. As per NSFAF priority fields of study as determined from time to time.

3.3.1 Application process

Application process for postgraduate are the same as for undergraduates.

3.3.2 Requirements for Post-graduate financial assistance

Beneficiaries eligible for financial assistance for post graduate studies are required to meet NSFAF requirements. Post-graduate sponsorship is available to qualifying Namibian citizens who have prior undergraduate qualifications.

The following criteria are used to determine the awarding for postgraduate studies:

3.3.3 Local Institutions requirements

3.3.3.1 Applicants should be Namibian citizens.

3.3.3.2 Full-time/Part-time/Distance applicants studying at accredited and recognized Institutions of Higher Learning.

3.3.3.3 Applicants studying towards: Honours, Masters and PhD programmes.

3.3.3.4 Applicants studying towards an Honours level must have obtained an undergraduate qualification.

3.3.3.5 Emphasis will be given to applicants studying towards a qualification that are in line with the completed qualification.

3.3.3.6 Consideration will be given to applicants studying towards higher and medium priority field of studies.

3.3.3.7 Applicants should submit proof of provisional admission attached to their applications.

Additional Funding Requirements (Part-time and or distance employed applicants)

3.3.3.8 Applicants (students) that are employed and studying part-time or distance may be funded depending on the field of study. This funding is limited to high and medium priority fields of study as determined annually by NSFAF, provided that their income does not exceed N$300,000 per annum. NSFAF only pays for tuition fees.

3.3.4 Post graduate studies outside Namibia – requirements

3.3.4.1 Applicants should be Namibian citizens.

3.3.4.2 Full-time/Part-time/Distance applicants studying at accredited and recognized Institutions of Higher Learning.

3.3.4.3 Applicants studying towards: Honours, Masters and PhD programmes.

3.3.4.4 Applicants studying towards an Honours level must have obtained an undergraduate qualification.

3.3.4.5 Emphasis will be given to applicants studying towards a qualification that are in line with the completed qualification.

3.3.4.6 Consideration will be given to applicants studying towards higher and medium priority field of studies.

3.3.4.7 Preference will be given to the students studying at SADC and local Institutions.

3.3.4.8 Applicants should submit proof of provisional admission attached to their applications.

3.3.4.9 Only students studying in high priority category fields of study will be funded.

3.3.4.10 Part-time/distance/modular/online studies will be funded under co-sponsorship for high and medium priority field of studies only. NSFAF pays only a portion of tuition fees up to 40%

NSFAF Funding : Basic Eligibility Criteria