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Sassa grants: who qualifies, and how do you apply?
Read on to find out if you are eligible to receive financial assistance from the government.
Types of grants
Social Assistance is provided in the form of:
• Grant for older persons;
• Disability grant;
• War veterans grant;
• Care dependency grant;
• Foster child grant;
• Child support grant;
• Grant-in-aid;
• Social relief of distress.
More Information on SASSA
Apply for the Unemployment Grant of R350.
Check Unemployment grant status
Qualifying Requirements
Grant for Older Persons
The applicant:
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee
• Must be resident in South Africa;
• Must be 60 years or older and spouse must comply with the means test;
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution;
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant for him/ herself;
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document or s or the smart ID card.
Disability Grant
The applicant:
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
• Must be resident in South Africa;
• Must be 18 to 59 years of age;
• Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming disability;
• Medical assessment must not be older than 3 months at date of application, and spouse meet the requirements of the means test;
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution;
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of him or herself.
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document; the smart ID card.
War Veteran’s Grant
The applicant:
• Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident;
• Must be resident in South Africa;
• Must be 60 years and over or must be disabled;
• Must have fought in the Second World War or the Korean War and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution;
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of himself or herself;
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document; the smart ID card.
Child Grants
Foster Child Grant
• The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa;
• Must provide a court order indicating foster care status;
• The foster parent must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• Child must remain in the care of the foster parent(s)
• Foster parent must provide a 13 digit bar coded identity document; the smart ID card
• Must provide a birth certificate for the foster child.
Care Dependency Grant
• The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
• The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa;
• Child must be under the age of 18 years;
• Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming the child’s permanent, severe disability;
• Applicant and spouse must meet requirements of the means test (except for foster parents);
• The care-dependent child/children must not be permanently cared for in a state institution;
• Must provide birth certificate for the child;
• The applicant must supply a 13 digit bar coded identity document;
Note: the income of foster parents will not be taken into consideration.
Child Support Grant
• The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
• Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa;
• The child must be 18 years of age or younger;
• Must provide a birth certificate for the child;
• Must provide a 13 digit bar coded identity document for the applicant;
• Applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/children concerned;
• The child/children must have been born after 31 December 1993;
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
• Cannot apply for more than six non biological children
• Child can not be cared for in state institution.
• It should be noted that one of the intentions of the child support grant is to ensure that children attend and complete schooling. It is therefore a requirement that a school attendance certificate be produced for children aged between 7and 18 years. However, failure to produce this certificate or failure to attend school will not result in the refusal to pay their child support grant.
Where Do You Apply For A Grant?
• You apply at the SASSA Office nearest to where you live;
• If you are too old or sick to travel to the office to apply for a grant, then a familymember or friend can apply on your behalf; with a letter from you as applicant authorising the application;
• Alternatively you may call the SASSA office to request a home visit;
• Your application form will be completed in the presence of an officer from SASSA;
• When your application is completed you will be given a receipt;
• Keep this receipt – it is your only proof of application;
• You do not have to pay any money to apply;
• If your application is not approved by SASSA, you must be informed in writing as to why your application was unsuccessful;
• You have the right to request SASSA to reconsider its decision, if you are unhappy with the decision made. If the reconsidered decision is still unfavourable, you have the right to appeal to the Minister of Social Development. The request for SASSA to reconsider its decision must be made within 90 days of you being informed of the outcome of your application.
Questions People Ask About SASSA
Most questions people ask about sassa
How much is the Sassa old age pension?W
Do I qualify for Sassa pension?
What are the four types of grants?
Can I get my new Sassa card at the post office?
How much money can you have in the bank and still get the pension?
Student Loans in South Africa: How to Apply and What to Expect
For many young South Africans, accessing higher education is a dream that often comes with a financial challenge. Fortunately, several student loan optionsstrong> are available in South Africa to help fund university, college, or TVET studies. Whether you’re looking for a government loan like NSFAS or a private student loan from a bank, understanding the process is essential for success.
What Are Student Loans?
Student loans are a form of financial aid provided to eligible students to help cover tuition fees, books, accommodation, and other study-related expenses. In South Africa, these loans can come from government institutions like NSFAS or private banks such as Nedbank, Standard Bank, FNB, and Absa. Most loans offer repayment flexibility and low-interest options until you graduate.
Types of Student Loans in South Africa
- NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme): A government-funded loan/grant program for students from low-income households. Covers tuition, housing, transport, and meals.
- Bank Student Loans: Offered by most major banks. These are credit-based and require a guardian or parent as a co-signer.
- Private Loan Providers: Companies like Fundi offer educational loans covering various costs such as school fees, gadgets, and textbooks.
Requirements to Qualify for a Student Loan
Each provider has its own criteria, but most South African student loans require the following:
- Proof of South African citizenship or permanent residency
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a recognised tertiary institution
- Parent or guardian with a stable income to co-sign (for private loans)
- Completed application form with supporting documents (ID, proof of income, academic records)
How to Apply for a Student Loan
To apply for a student loan in South Africa, follow these steps:
- Identify your loan provider: Choose between NSFAS, a bank, or a private lender.
- Gather necessary documents: ID copies, academic transcripts, acceptance letters, and income statements.
- Complete the application form online or at a branch.
- Await approval: Some banks offer instant decisions, while NSFAS can take a few weeks.
- Receive disbursement: Funds are typically paid directly to the institution or your account, depending on the lender.
Loan Amounts and Repayment
The loan amount you can receive depends on your chosen lender and financial need:
- NSFAS: Covers full tuition, residence, books, and a personal allowance. The loan becomes a bursary if you pass all your courses.
- Banks: Can provide up to R120,000 or more annually, depending on tuition costs and credit history.
Repayment usually starts after graduation or once you start earning an income. Bank loans may require interest-only payments during your studies. NSFAS repayment only begins when you earn above a specific income threshold.
FAQs on Student Loans in South Africa
1. Can I apply for a student loan without a parent or guardian?
For government loans like NSFAS, yes. But most banks require a financially responsible co-signer, especially for students without an income.
2. Is NSFAS a loan or a bursary?
NSFAS starts as a loan, but it converts to a bursary if you meet academic performance requirements. This means you may not have to pay it back.
3. What is the interest rate on student loans?
Private banks offer competitive rates between 5% and 12%, depending on the applicant's credit profile. NSFAS charges a much lower interest rate, usually linked to inflation.
4. What happens if I fail my courses?
If you’re funded by NSFAS and fail, your loan won’t convert into a bursary, and you’ll need to repay the full amount. Banks may continue charging interest, and your co-signer may be held liable.
5. Can I use a student loan to pay for accommodation and laptops?
Yes. Both NSFAS and many bank student loans cover costs beyond tuition, including housing, meals, textbooks, and electronic devices like laptops or tablets.
Final Thoughts
Student loans in South Africa offer a much-needed financial lifeline to thousands of students every year. Whether you're applying through **NSFAS** or a private bank, ensure you understand the **terms, interest rates, and repayment conditions** before signing any agreement. Make informed decisions today to secure your academic and financial future tomorrow.