Clearing Up the Claim of Being Registered on NSFAS when Applying for the SRD Grant
For South African citizens and students in particular, financial assistance is a lifesaver, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant provide this support. The problem that affects the SRD grant from being accessed is when people say that they registered on NSFAS, when in fact they did not. In this article, we explain how to solve the problem of being registered on NSFAS when you are not and apply for the SRD grant.
More About the Concern
The response being registered on NSFAS when you are not is a typical response when checking for the first time if one qualifies for an SRD grant. The SRD grant, being one of the new initiatives to support South African citizens during a crisis, in this particular case the COVID-19 pandemic, has very specific and stringent eligibility criteria. This is primarily so that people are able to receive support in order to not have additionally funded government support, including the NSFAS funding.
Many applicants have stated that the status checker incorrectly states they are registered with NSFAS when they have never applied. This technical or administrative issue could result in applicants missing the opportunity to receive financial assistance.
Why This Happens
To answer this question, the following factors must be analyzed:
Database Errors: The Department of Higher Education (DHET) database or NSFAS’s may have outdated or incorrect information, leading to erroneous assumptions about registration.
Common Names: If there are individuals in the system with the same name, date of birth, or ID number, there could be potential cases of mistaken identity.
NSFAS’s Applications: The system may incorrectly designate someone as registered if they have started but never completed an NSFAS application.
Misalignment of Systems: The SRD grant system ties to the NSFAS system and a number of other government systems. If there is a delay or error in system synchronization, it could result in an incorrect determination of eligibility.
Step-by-Step Guide to Resolve the Problem
This is the “being registered on NSFAS when it is not true” case strategy, and then get your SRD grant:
- Check your NSFAS standing
NSFAS case status:
NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za
ID number and password used to log in.
To see the application status: If you have not applied, he system says “No application found” or “Not registered.”
If the system shows you registered when it is not, take a screenshot, you will need this for the next steps.
- Obtain Proof of not being Registered
To clear the issue, you will need to show that you do not have NSFAS funding:
Screenshot of the NSFAS status that does not have a live NSFAS application.
Statement that shows you have never applied or received NSFAS funding.
ID or Smart ID of which the details should match your statement.
Documents will simplify the case to be handled if the relevant authorities.
- Reach out to NSFAS for Further Instructions
In the case of registration errors, make sure to reach out to NSFAS:
NSFAS call center: 0800 006 678
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
If possible, go to a NSFAS regional office.
In your NSFAS inquiries,
Tell them that on your SRD grant application, it says you are registered, which is false.
Tell them your full name, ID number, and proof of not being registered.
Ask for a letter to be sent stating you are not being funded by NSFAS.
This is important for the next step.
- Reach out to the SRD Grant Support Team
If you have received an email from NSFAS,
Go to the SRD grant online portal: srdgrant.gov.za
There, you will find a contact and support form to submit your NSFAS clarification.
You will need to provide proof of non-registration, presented as a NSFAS letter, screenshots, statements, etc.
SRD grant support will edit your details and allow you to move to the next step of the application.
- Check Your Bank Account Details
Errors within the SRD grant are sometimes made worse by bank details being written incorrectly.
The bank account you provide must be registered under your name and be operational.
If your bank account is a post office account, or a mobile wallet, it must be checked to ensure that it is not contrary to the SRD grant.
If you provide the correct banking details, your grant will be paid once your eligibility is confirmed.
- Reapply or Update Your Application
You will need to log back into the SRD portal once the NSFAS registration error is resolved.
See if your status has changed to “eligible.”
If you wish, you can update your application with the new information you have.
If there are any inconsistencies in the future, you will need to show them a copy of the updated application or the confirmation email.
Additional Tips to Avoid Delays
Keep government data in a uniform manner.
The NSFAS and SRD grant teams are the ones sending the updates. Check your email and SMS.
Be patient – corrections in the database may be a couple of days old.
Contact records with NSFAS or SRD support are encouraged
Do not submit multiple requests; this may cause more problems.
Mistakes
The error correcting itself: Delays to grant access are a result of people waiting for weeks with no communication to fix the problem. You need to take the initiative.
Evidence not complete. ID, screenshots and statements need to be included.
Incorrect portal. Contact the NSFAS and SRD grant support to avoid scams.
When to Escalate
When following these steps has not resolved the issue and you have still not received assistance:
Go to the nearest South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office.
Go to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and report the issue.
Your case is still pending and is therefore unresolved.
This type of escalation is needed to resolve systemic issues from higher levels of management.
Why Resolving This Matters
If the “registered on NSFAS which is not true” issue is not resolved, the following will likely happen:
You will lose access to the SRD grant and other critical financial support.
Your financial situation will become precariously stressful.
It may create obstacles to your education or living expenses.
Correcting the issue is time-sensitive and ensures support goes to South Africans who are eligible.
This is a problem when there is an error indicating “registered on NSFAS which is not true” issue, and to apply for SRD grant, these are the simple steps:
Simple Steps to Apply for the SRD Grant
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
To apply, you need to meet the SRD grant requirements:
You need to be 18 years or older.
You need to be South African, a permanent resident, or an asylum seeker.
You should not receive or be a benefit of any other social grants, including NSFAS funding, a pension, or UIF.
You should have a bank account or mobile wallet or agree to collect payment at a paypoint.
You should also be willing to do the steps, including visiting the SRD Grant Portal.
Visit the site: srdgrant.gov.za
Select ‘Apply’ to start the application process.
You can now apply!
You have to put down the following personal details: (Include to use your, Asylum documents, ID, or bank account, mobile wallet, or banking details)
Note: You should not have any other funding or grants.
Note any additional income.
Step 4: Review the errors.
With “Registered in NSFAS which is not true” do the Following Steps:
- Confirm NSFAS status at nsfas.org.za
- Evidence your non-receipt in NSFAS (Screenshots, statements, etc, etc, etc).
- Contact NSD support through the portal and add your evidence.
***Please wait for the documentation to be updated.
Step 5: Document Submissions
So, in case you have done so, you have done it correctly.
You can now click ‘Submit’.
A reference number will be provided. You should use it for the application tracking.
Solve your application issue.
You can use the SRD with the reference number assigned to you to track your application.
Payments will directly be sent to your, bank account, mobile wallet, or paypoint. Payments will only be made if your application is approved.
Step 7: Payment of Your Grant
When the payment has been approved, the payment should be processed in a couple of days or weeks.
Ensure that the bank detail that you provided are correct so that payment is not delayed.
✅ Tip: If there are any issues with the grant that you are trying to claim, ensure that you have documents with the information that you submitted as well as the proof that the grant was not completed.
Final Remarks
I understand that a problem like this is frustrating, however, to resolve the problem with being excessively registered with NSFAS, there are steps that can be followed. Steps include verifying/update your NSFAS status, gathering proof of non-registration, filing/s contacting NSFAS, and following up with the SRD grant team.
You also need to remember to document your interactions, and provide true and correct information. If you have the right mindset with consistent efforts, you should easily be able to correct any administrative error that is preventing you from acquiring the financial support that you deserve.
Lastly, I want to encourage you to be a step ahead. Waiting to be registered to NSFAS and SRD grants should be seen as the last option. The NSFAS SRD grant is a financial support service that you should use as soon as you need it. The longer you delay this process, the longer you will have to wait to receive it’s support.