How to Apply for a Calamity Loan
Section 16 of Republic Act 10121 gives the power to declare an area or areas under a State of Calamity to the President of the Philippines or to the Local Government Units upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) or their local counterparts known as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC), respectively.
Once under State of Calamity, citizens of that area are granted the opportunity to apply for a loan, from the government, without interest. The following is the process of applying for calamity loans:
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)–Emergency Loan Qualifications
Any GSIS member who
- Is in active service and not on leave of absence without pay
- Has no pending criminal or administrative charges
- Has no missing/overdue debts in their monthly contributions
- Has no loan that has been declared in default
- Is a resident or government employee in an area under State of Calamity
Process Via GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (G-W@PS)
- Borrower will bring their eCard Plus to any GSIS servicing office which has a G-W@PS kiosk installed
- Using the G-W@PS, the borrower must select “Emergency Loan” from the “Loan” menu and follow the steps provided to complete the transaction
Via Office Application
- Borrower will fill up an application form at any GSIS office
Loan Terms
The loan is payable in 3 years or 36 monthly installments. The loan bears an interest rate of 6% per annum. A loan computation and monthly amortization will be presented to borrowers upon loan application. If the emergency loan is renewed, the balance of the outstanding loan will be deducted from the proceeds of the new loan. For inquiries and details, call the GSIS Contact Center at (02) 847-4747 or visit your nearest GSIS branch.
Home Development Fund (Pag-IBIG)–Calamity Loan Qualifications
Any Pag-IBIG member who
- Has made at least 24 monthly savings
- Has made at least 5 monthly savings in the last 6 months
- Resides in an area under State of Calamity
Process and Requirements
The borrower must submit the following to any Pag-IBIG office:
- Calamity Loan Application Form*
- Photocopy of at least 2 valid IDs
- Proof of Income
- Declaration of Being Affected by Calamity* (for formally employed members)
[*Documents are available at www.pagibigfund.gov.ph and Pag-IBIG offices]
Loans may be filed within 90 days from the declaration of State of Calamity.
Loan Amount
Members can borrow up to 80% of their Total Accumulated Value (TAV) subject to the terms and conditions of the program. Calamity Loan Interest rate is 5.95% per annum. The loan is amortized over 24 months, with a grace period of 3 months. Paying period begins on the 4th month following their check date.
For inquiries and details, please contact (02) 724-4244 or visit your nearest Pag-IBIG branch.
Social Security System (SSS)
In the occurrence of a disaster, SSS will decide and announce a calamity relief package for members to apply for. For example, the following loan packages were given to applicant-victims of the recent 7.2 earthquake in Bohol and Cebu:
- Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan with a reduced interest rate
- Early renewal of salary loans
- Advanced SSS pensions for retirement, disability, and survivorship
For inquiries and more information, contact the SSS 24-hour call center at (02) 920-6446 to 55, Monday to Friday, or send an e-mail to member_relations@sss.gov.ph.
Click on this link to view the infographic on Calamity Loans
Read the Briefer on State of Calamities
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Sponsored Guide
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:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
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.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
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.
-
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
-
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
-
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:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 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.