UNISA Press

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Unisa - University of south africa

UNISA Press

The University of South Africa Press has been publishing research work since 1956. Over the past fifty years, it has developed a strong publishing list, as well as specialised skills in academic and scholarly publishing. The Press has adapted well to changing circumstances and an evolving environment, and has built up a good reputation world-wide that bolsters the prestige and standing of the university.

Unisa Press has a vigorous journals publishing programme, with more than thirty journals – the only university press in South Africa to combine a books and journals publishing programme. This provides a unique platform for local researchers, while simultaneously ensuring visibility for African scholarship around the world. The journals section has been expanded, and successful partnerships are beginning to flourish, as with Taylor & Francis. While the potential is there to become the largest and most influential journal publisher in the region, we stand poised to become a publishing powerhouse for academic publications on the African continent.

Over the past fifty years, the University of South Africa Press has grown to become one of the largest and most influential university presses within Southern Africa, garnering international academic prestige with an excellent and competitive publishing list in terms of both scope and depth.

In recent years it has increasingly positioned itself in the international arena by fostering dynamic collaborative alliances with other international publishers such as Taylor & Francis, Brill, Rozenberg and the rapidly expanding SAVUSA Series, as well as with James Currey Publishers.

Unisa Press is the only university press in South Africa to combine a vigorous books and journals publishing programme with a wide range of subjects. Publishing focus areas are reviewed on a regular basis to tie in with contemporary issues significant to the country and the continent, whilst also being globally relevant.

The current focal point of Unisa Press is to become a leading university press on the African continent and to increase readership and an exchange of academic materials within Africa.

Whilst striving towards this mission, A-rated authors from across the continent are being actively recruited, and co-publication and co-distribution partnerships are being explored.

Unisa Press is committed to the promotion of scholarly communication by publishing outstanding research work, scholarly journals and books, as well as textbooks of high academic merit. There is a clear subject-specific focus on the publication of peer-reviewed original research within an African context. This provides a unique platform for local researchers, while simultaneously ensuring global visibility for African scholarship.

See also  University of Stellenbosch NSFAS

Professor Vusi S Mncube
Director: Unisa Press

Vision

  • To publish and disseminate excellent research
  • To find innovative solutions in an evolving publishing environment
  • To deliver sustainable service

Mission

  • Publish and disseminate research and knowledge development guided by integrity, quality, rigour and ethics;
  • Cultivate and promote an institutional ethos, intellectual culture and research experiences that are conducive to critical discourse, intellectual curiosity, tolerance, and a diversity of views;
  • Develop appropriate and efficient publication channels for research dissemination in the context of current global trends;Nurturing collaborative relationships with stakeholders in order to increase share and towards financial sustainability

Publishing model

Unisa Press functions within a classic university press model:

  • The Senate Publications Committee oversees the acceptance of publications and the quality of peer review processes.
  • Unisa Press publishes independent scholarly and academic books and has expanded into the broader specialist books arena.
  • Unisa Press is also the publisher of accredited and non-accredited academic journals.

It publishes within diverse subject fields, from art history, architecture and psychology to sociology and African studies.
Unisa Press publishes within five focal areas

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  • knowledge generation and human capital development in response to the needs of South Africa and the African continent;
  • the promotion of democracy, human rights and responsible citizenship;
  • innovation and capacity building in science and technology;
  • economic and environmental sustainability;
  • open distance learning.

Contact us

Physical address

Unisa Muckleneuk
Unisa Press
4th Floor, Theo van Wyk Building

 Postal address

PO Box 392
Pretoria
0003
Ms Beauty Tsiane
Secretary to the acting Deputy Director
TvW B4-25
Tel: 012 429 3081
Fax: 012 429 3449
tsianmb@unisa.ac.za		 Sharon Boshoff
Publications Assistant
Room B4-003
+27 12 429-3316
+27 12 429-3449
boshosm@unisa.ac.za		 Ms Laetitia Theart
Sales Processor
TvW B4-20
+27 12 429 3448
+27 12 429 3449
thearl@unisa.ac.za
Marketing Officer
Mrs Veronica Mkhabela
012 429 4113
mkhabv@unisa.ac.za		 Marketing Officer
Ms Innocentia Swanepoel
012429 8964
mangei@unisa.ac.za

 

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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.
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  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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