Does NSFAS fund you if you fail three modules?

NSFAS grants financial aid to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other necessities for those pursuing higher education.

However, academic performance is a key factor in maintaining NSFAS funding.

This article will explain what happens if you fail three modules?

NSFAS Funding Requirements

NSFAS funding is not solely based on financial need.

Students must also demonstrate academic commitment and satisfactory progress in their studies.

The NSFAS funding eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid state that students must pass at least 50% of their registered modules.

This implies that failing three modules could potentially jeopardize your NSFAS funding.

Failing three modules does not automatically mean complete loss of NSFAS funding.

There are a few possibilities depending on the specifics of your situation:

N+1 Rule: NSFAS offers an “N+1” rule, which grants an additional year of funding should you fail a year in your course. This means if you fail enough modules to not progress to the next year of study, NSFAS will typically provide funding for one repeat year. However, this is contingent on passing at least 50% of your modules in the failed year.
Academic Progress Appeals: If there were extenuating circumstances that led to failing three modules, you can submit an academic progress appeal to your institution. Valid reasons for appeals could include documented medical conditions, family emergencies, or other unforeseen challenges that significantly impacted your studies. The specific appeal process will vary between institutions, so be sure to consult your academic advisor for guidance.
Repeating Modules: Even without an approved appeal, you might still be able to repeat the failed modules and continue receiving NSFAS funding. This option depends on your institution’s policies and the availability of space in those modules.

NSFAS itself doesn’t directly pay for failed modules.

However, their funding covers the cost of registration and tuition, including re-registering for failed modules if necessary.

As mentioned earlier, you need to pass at least 50% of your registered modules to maintain your NSFAS funding eligibility.

Failing one semester doesn’t necessarily mean losing NSFAS funding.

The important factor is the total percentage of modules passed across the entire academic year.

If you manage to pass 50% or more for the whole year, your funding should remain intact.

NSFAS funding includes allowances to help students cover living expenses like food and accommodation.

If a lack of resources is what affected your academic performance, consider exploring additional support services provided by your institution.

Some of these include tutoring programs or financial aid workshops.