No, NSFAS does not fund ICB courses. As a government bursary scheme, it provides financial assistance to students who study at public institutions. But you still have options. There are various funding opportunities available to help you achieve your goals.
Which Courses NSFAS Will Not Fund?
National Student Financial Aid Scheme, also known as NSFAS, does not fund the following courses:
- Short courses
- Part-time courses
- Postgraduate studies
- A second degree
NSFAS also does not fund private institutions, such as Skills Academy or ICB. They only offer assistance to students studying at public colleges and universities.
Does NSFAS Cover Bridging Courses?
No, NSFAS does not cover bridging courses since they are considered short courses that will help you qualify for a higher qualification. You must cover the cost of the bridging course and apply for NSFAS after you get entry into the field you want to study.
What Does NSFAS Cover?
When NSFAS approves your application, you will receive financial support that will cover the following expenses:
- Tuition
- Travel allowance
- Accommodation
- Study material
- Incidental/personal care allowance
Who Qualifies For NSFAS?
NSFAS will only provide financial assistance to South African students. You also qualify for a bursary loan from NSFAS if you are a student who:
- Receives a SASSA grant.
- Earns a maximum of R350 000 per year as a combined household income.
- Has a disability whose household income is no more than R600 000 per year.
- Started their studies before 2018 with a household income of no more than R122 000 per year.
How To Apply For NSFAS?
You can easily apply for an NSFAS bursary loan online by following these easy steps:
- Go to the NSFAS website.
- Click ‘create an account’.
- Complete the required details.
- Confirm your details and log in.
- Submit the necessary documents.
How Many Years Does NSFAS Fund A Student?
NSFAS will fund you for the duration of your studies. This means that you do not reapply for funding the following year. It will be paid in time before your fees are due.
Can NSFAS Fund You Twice?
No, you cannot get additional financial support if you have already completed your studies. You must research alternative funding for your postgraduate studies.
Do You Pay NSFAS Back After Studying?
Yes, you must pay NSFAS back since it is a bursary loan. Once you complete your studies and start working, you must pay NSFAS when your salary is more than R30 000 per year.
How To Fund Your ICB Course?
If you are studying ICB courses at a private institution, here are your options when you do not qualify for NSFAS funding:
- Apply for a private bursary
- Get a student loan from the bank
- Work and study at the same time
- Start a side job
Apply For A Private Bursary
You can apply for a private bursary, which is the perfect choice for students studying at a private institution. Some financial support offers full bursaries, whereas others offer loans to students.
Get A Student Loan From The Bank
There are a few banks in South Africa that allow you to take out a student loan to study further:
Since this is a study loan, you will need to pay the bursary back with low interest. You do not need to start paying the money back immediately. It depends on the bank when you will need to make repayments after your studies.
Work And Study At The Same Time
Pay for your course when you work and study at the same time. Since you can study when and where you want with us, you can have a full-time job and earn an income. You can pay for your course, complete your studies and get work experience all at once.
Start A Side Job
Another great way to earn money and pay for your course is through a side job. If you have an extra talent you can profit from, then this can help fund your own studies. Side jobs you can do include:
- Bake sales
- Photography
- Babysitting
- Freelancing
Our Fees Policies
When you study with us, we have a few policies that will help make paying for your studies easy and hassle-free:
- Study fast and pay less
- No credit checks
- Affordable payment plans
Study Fast And Pay Less
With us, you can study fast and only pay for the months you studied with us. So if you can finish a 12-month course in 10 months, you can! This will help you save money and get your qualification quicker.
No Credit Checks
We do not conduct any credit checks on our students. We believe everyone has the right to study further and get a quality education no matter their background. So if you have debt that you are currently paying off, you can still study with us.
Affordable Payment Plans
You can pay your study fees once-off or in monthly instalments. But the choice is yours. We want to give you manageable payment options that will help you with your studies and achieve your study goals.
What ICB Courses Can You Study?
There are three internationally accredited ICB courses you can study with us via distance learning:
Can I Get Tuition From ICB?
No, you cannot get any tuition from ICB. Since ICB is not a college, it cannot provide any:
- Tuition
- Academic support
- Study material
- Graduation ceremonies
ICB is an assessment provider. They test students on their competency in business and finance. You can contact your ICB training provider to enquire about financial support and payment plans.
ICB Fees List 2023
To help you prepare for the 2023 calendar, listed below is the ICB fees list for 2023:
Registration fee:
Annual registration fee | R430 |
Exam-related fees:
Assessment fees for digital PoE | R785 |
Assessment postponement fee per subject | R330 |
Assessment late entry fee per subject | R560 |
Assessment re-mark and examiners report fee per subject | R1200 |
Private invigilator admin fee | R2100 |
Printed ICB programme certificate (including postage) | R400 |
FASSET certificate reprint (including postage) | R400 |
Workplace PoE assessments (learnerships) | R1450 |
Recognition of prior learning:
RPL/Exemption application fee | R510 |
RPL/Exemption fee per subject (no PoE required) | R430 |
RPL PoE fee per subject | R995 |
How Do The Fees Work?
Your fees are made up of the annual registration fee and the number of subjects you will write.
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can study ICB courses with any of South Africa’s leading distance learning colleges:
You can study from home with each of these institutions. Since they are accredited, it ensures that you will achieve a recognised ICB qualification.
We are a distance learning college that provides affordable payment options to students across South Africa. Our courses will allow you to enter the job market with quality skills that will kick-start your career.
There are many benefits you can enjoy from home when you study with us:
- No classes
- Access to online study groups
- Get all your study material delivered
- Skilled tutors and lecturers offering academic support
- Excellent study support services offering top assistance
Yes, all ICB courses are internationally and locally recognised. There gives you a choice to pursue careers, such as accounting or bookkeeping, in South Africa and abroad.
Yes, our ICB Courses are recognised by other institutions, including:
- Local Institutions
- International Institutions
- Public and private universities, recognition
- Professional organisations
This provides further study opportunities to ICB graduates and opportunities to join a professional organisation. You will be able to connect to experts in your field and improve your skills.
There is no age limit to NSFAS. They will provide financial support to all South African students who need financial support. But you must ensure that you meet all the requirements to get assistance
NSFAS can only fund you for one study programme. But if you pass and want to receive funding for your postgraduate studies, you must seek private financial support or finance your studies.