Can kids eat tiramisu?

Because tiramisu is not heated in any way, all of the alcohol that you include in your recipe will wind up in the finished dessert, making it inappropriate for youngsters to eat. Typically, the coffee and wine or liquor are combined and then used to soak the ladyfingers.

Traditional recipes for tiramisu contain two alcohols, Marsala wine and rum. There’s also a liberal dose of caffeine in the form of coffee and espresso, but let’s stick to one vice at a time. Tiramisu is also not cooked, which means that all the alcohol used in its making is still potent.

Even if it were cooked, most of the alcohol would still remain. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, different types of cooking affects how much alcohol remains. Pure ethyl alcohol – drinking alcohol – boils and evaporates at 173 degrees and water boils at 212 degrees. A combination of the two will boil somewhere in between. Ultimately you can boil off alcohol (and water, for that matter), but only if there is no lid on the pot; otherwise the alcohol and the water will condense and be reabsorbed.

The USDA offers some startling statistics on what type of cooking retains the most alcohol. Ironically, the most dramatic presentation in cooking – flambeing – is one of the least effective when it comes to removing alcohol.

– Flaming or flambeing something will allow up to 75 percent of the original alcohol to remain.

– Adding alcohol to a boiling liquid and removing it from the heat will allow 85 percent to remain.

– Baking something without stirring another ingredient into a mixture (adding it on top) will allow up to 45 percent to remain.

– Baking or simmering something uncovered will allow alcohol to diminish at a rate of about 10 percent per half an hour. That means it will take three to 31?2 hours to remove all alcohol from a cooked item.

“So what?” you say. Leaving a little bit of alcohol isn’t going to cause anyone any problems.

Let’s look at our kids again. In California it is illegal for an adult to sell, furnish, give, or cause to be sold, alcohol to an underage person. Furthermore, a parent can be charged with a crime if that parent (or guardian) allows his or her child under the age of 18 to consume alcohol at home if that child has a blood-alcohol concentration of .05 percent and drives a vehicle that is involved in an accident. In addition, “contributing to the delinquency” charges may also come into play.

Don’t forget: Children are smaller than adults, and that’s a factor here. If it takes a 180-pound adult two shots of an alcoholic beverage in an hour (about 21?2 ounces) to reach a blood-alcohol concentration of about .10 percent, a child half that size would reach that blood-alcohol level after only 11?4 ounces. So a 90-pound child would reach the legal limit of .05 percent after only four teaspoons of alcohol (a little more than a tablespoon).

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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