Notices

Dear Students

This communication serves to provide an important update regarding the 2026 NSFAS funding cycle, appeal requirements, and academic eligibility rules as outlined in the NSFAS Guidelines.

Appeals for 2026 funding:

For those needing to submit an appeal for the 2026 funding cycle, please take note of the following critical information:

Propensity letters:

The faculties have been provided with a list of students who have been declined due to academic ineligibility stemming from exceeding the N+ Rule. If you belong to this category, you are required to submit a Propensity Letter. This applies to:

• Students who exceed the N+ rule.
• Students who need 50% or less of their final-year course credits to complete their qualification.

Ensure these letters are completed and stamped by your faculty representative.

Please note that NSFAS has extended the appeal deadline to 31 January 2026 for all students who need to appeal.

Academic eligibility:

To continue receiving financial aid from NSFAS, students must meet specific academic achievement criteria:

• Continuing students must pass 60% of the total modules or courses enrolled in a particular year to be funded in the 2026 academic year.
• FTEN students (first-time entering students in 2025) must pass 40% of the total modules or courses enrolled in a particular year to be funded in the 2026 academic year.

If you have failed to meet the academic eligibility criteria, your appeal will only be considered if you can provide proof of the following:

• You are a continuing student who was not an FTEN or FTF student in your previous academic term.
• Your failure to complete your academic term successfully is due to severe ill health for an uninterrupted period of two or more months during the academic term or examinations, a death in your immediate family during the academic term, being a victim of a violent crime, or pregnancy and childbirth during the academic term.
• If you have a disability, you must submit a detailed medical report indicating that your inability to complete the academic term was due to the nature of your disability, and the institution has evaluated that you have the propensity to complete your qualification within the additional academic term.

Important to note:

• Inform the Financial Aid Office if you have other sources of funding (i.e., double-dipping) within 10 days of receipt of such funding.
• Notify the Financial Aid Office if there is a change in your qualification or if you exit a qualification.
• NSFAS students are subject to the student residence and private accommodation policies, including the accommodation contract conditions of the institution and accommodation providers where they reside.
• If you apply to various institutions, you must cancel your registration at all institutions where you are not eventually formally registered to avoid dual registrations. Failure to do so will result in NSFAS blocking all payments to you until the dual registrations are resolved.
• If you register at multiple institutions, you must deregister and confirm with NSFAS, within 10 days of the start of the academic term, at the institution that you have chosen to study at.
• Aim to complete your studies within the N+ Rule and maintain the academic progression rules of NSFAS.

Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office.

Kind regards
Financial Aid Office

Dear Students

We would like to inform you that the application process for private accommodation will commence on 16 January 2026. This opportunity is available exclusively to NSFAS-qualifying students who have not secured accommodation in university-owned or leased residences. Please note that continuing university students must meet the 2026 funding and academic criteria.

NSFAS students must adhere to the student residence and accommodation policies of the institution. These include:

• Residing outside a 60km radius from the institution
• Demonstrating academic progression
• Continuing students must achieve a minimum of 60%
• First-time entering students (FTEN) in 2025 must achieve a minimum of 40%

Please be aware that CPUT is not part of the NSFAS Accommodation platform. Therefore, Financial Aid will manage the private accommodation process for the 2026 academic year through Fundi. Students seeking private accommodation should approach their chosen private accommodation providers or landlords to:

• Complete and sign a lease agreement
• Provide proof of their home address, ensuring they are not residing with immediate family members (e.g., utility bill or bank statement; please note affidavits are not acceptable).

1. Accommodation Providers (including those accredited by NSFAS ) are required to:

• Register on the Fundi Merchant platform and add property details, including the address (training was provided to all on 13 & 14 Jan 2026 by Financial Aid and Fundi)
• Link the student requesting accommodation and upload the signed lease agreement along with the student's proof of home address

2. Financial Aid will review and approve requests based on the aforementioned criteria. Once approved, students will receive an email with a link to log into the Fundi platform and approve or reject the Accommodation Provider. Upon student approval, rental payments will be made monthly directly to the service provider or landlord (provided NSFAS has made a payment to CPUT)

3. Conditions for Financial Aid-managed private accommodation, as guided by the 2025 - 2027 NSFAS Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid, include:

• The request for private accommodation does not guarantee successful funding
• The lease agreement contract is between the student and the Accommodation Provider, making the student liable for private accommodation costs, not the university
• Financial Aid is responsible solely for facilitating the payment process for NSFAS qualifying students
• If NSFAS funding is confirmed, private accommodation allowance payments will be processed on the 1st of each month from February to November, provided that NSFAS has made a payment to CPUT (taking into consideration occupancy date)
• Students will be liable for private accommodation costs if not funded
• Students will be liable for private accommodation costs if they breach the lease agreement and transfer to CPUT residence
• NSFAS has a cap for private accommodation allowance, and students are liable for any shortfall if costs exceed the maximum cap
• The information provided must be accurate; any falsified information or forged documents will result in immediate repayment of all financial assistance or monies received, and legal action may be instituted
• Accommodation providers must not be family members or relatives of the student; students residing with immediate family members do not qualify for accommodation allowances, and any such cases will be treated as fraud
• CPUT staff members affiliated with private accommodation service providers must submit a declaration of interest from Human Capital

The application window opens today, Friday, 16 January 2026, and will close on Sunday, 15 February 2026. Please note that no extensions will be granted, and the application window will be deactivated on Monday, 16 February 2026. Accurate cost verification is required for NSFAS registration templates, so NSFAS-accredited accommodation providers must provide offer letters indicating the bed price and grade.

Herewith, please find the link. 2026 Private Accommodation Accommodation Provider Details by Financial Aid Database.pdf

Kind Regards
Financial Aid Office