NSFAS N+2 Rule – Fully Explained (2023)

Last updated on February 15th, 2023 at 10:33 pm

NSFAS N+2 Rule is one of the frequently asked questions about NSFAS N+ Rules by students. Most students don’t know the meaning and how the rule is used. Sadly, they find themselves worried about the effect of the rule on their education.

In this article, we’re going to explain in full, to your understanding, the NSFAS N+2 Rule.

Again, we’ll define what is NSFAS N+2 Rule is, when does NSFAS N+2 Rule apply, how does NSFAS N+2 Rule works, who needs NSFAS N+2, etc.

We’ll also answer some of the frequently asked questions about the NSFAS N + 2 rule.

So, let’s dive straight into the subject of discussion.

NSFAS N+2 Rule

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS N+ rules help to define the number of additional years that the scheme is willing to fund students as extra years of funding.

When students apply for NSFAS funding, they add the qualifications that they have applied to study at a university or TVET college to which they are seeking admission.

A student has to indicate that, he or she is going to read a Bachelor’s degree in the NSFAS Online Application process.

For Example, the minimum length of years to complete a bachelor’s degree in South Africa is three (3) years.

With that information, NSFAS makes its calculations that they are going to fund the student for an expected year of three (3) years.

However, a student may not complete the qualification in the expected year, and that is where NSFAS will introduce the N+ rule.

What Is NSFAS N+2 Rule?

The NSFAS N+2 Rule simply means a student funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme will need to complete his or her qualification with the N+2 rule.

This means NSFAS will have to fund the student for an additional two (2) years in order to complete his or her qualification.

What Does the N Stand For In the NSFAS N+2 Rule?

The “N” defined in the NSFAS N+2 rule means the minimum number of years a student is expected to complete his or her qualification of which he or she was admitted to read in a university or a TVET college.

For example, if the student is admitted to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to study Bachelor’s Degree in Humanity Management, the student is expected to complete the qualification in three years period of full-time study.

With this calculation, NSFAS will create its bursary agreement with UJ with the information that it’s funding the student for a minimum of three years until the student completes the qualification.

With the expectation of students who may fail to pass the academic performance requirements and lose their funding.

You should read Will NSFAS Fund Me If I Fail My Modules? for in-depth information about how you can lose your NSFAS funding through your modules.

What Does The +2 Stand For In The NSFAS N+2 Rule

The “+2” in the NSFAS N+2 Rule is defined as the additional number of two (2) years that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme will have to fund a student in order for the student to complete his or her qualification.

This means NSFAS will have to fund a student for extra two years before the student can complete the qualification he or she registered for.

When Do You Need NSFAS N+2 Rule?

When a student needs an additional two (2) years to complete his or her qualification.

Most students are not able to complete their qualifications in the year expected and will need additional two years to complete them.

This means NSFAS has to add additional two years of funding for the extra two years the students need to finish their qualifications.

In such a case, NSFAS will then employ the N+2 rule to help students to complete their qualifications through funding.

Students who need only two years to complete their qualifications are eligible candidates for the N+2 rule.

Students who need just one year will have to use the NSFAS N+1 Rule to complete their qualifications.

We recommend you read NSFAS N+1 Rule – Fully Explained (2022) for detailed information on the NSFAS N+1 Rule.

You can use the NSFAS N+2 rule appeal 2022 to benefit from the rule so that you can complete your qualification if you need additional two years.

How Does NSFAS N+2 Rule Works?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will only apply the N+2 rule when a student who is already funded needs additional two years with funding to complete a qualification in a university or in a TVET college.

Will NSFAS Use N+2 Rule When You Need More Than 2 Years?

No, NSFAS will not use the NSFAS N+2 rule when a student needs more than additional two years to complete a qualification. Students will not get funded.

The maximum additional years NSFAS will fund a student is two (2) years.

NSFAS will fund you for a maximum of five (5) years. So, the N+2 which is two years plus the general three years to complete your bachelor’s degree will add up to the total of 5 years that NSFAS will fund you.

NSFAS will not exceed the maximum of five (5) years to fund you.

Does NSFAS N+2 Rule Effect When You Change Institution?

Yes, even when you change your institution, NSFAS will record your funding from your previous institution.

Therefore, NSFAS dates your funding from the first year they approve your application for funding.

This means, your expected years to complete a qualification are counted from your previous institution, and that affects the NSFAS N+2 rule.

We recommend that you read this article How Many Modules Can You Fail With NSFAS? for detailed information on how you can keep your funding till you complete your qualification.

www.nsfas.org.za is NSFAS webpage.

I do hope this article about NSFAS N+2 Rule was helpful. You can ask your questions in the comment section.