N+2 rule means that students only have N+2 years to finish a degree. “N” is minimum number of years allocated to complete a qualification (i.e. record time). The “+2” refers to the extra two years that a student may need to complete the qualification (making the maximum time)
It would then refer to the number of years a student should be enrolled at a university. The maximum is 5 years if you exceed the 5 years you are no longer eligible for funding .
For example: where a qualification is three years, the university will allow you to complete it within a five-year period, with the extra two years being the [+2].
It is important to further note that, the N+2 rule is not based on the number of years that a student has been funded, but on the number of years that the student has been registered for tertiary study at any public university in South Africa, regardless of institution change.
When NSFAS states the reason for your unsuccessful funding application as: ‘you have exceeded the N+2 rule’, this means you have been studying longer than the minimum allocated time for your as well as the extra two years you have been given to complete your qualification.
NSFAS is however sympathetic towards students. If students have exceeded the number of years allowed for funding but only require a few courses/modules to complete their qualification, they can appeal to NSFAS as well as speak to the financial aid officers at their respective institutions and they could possibly be funded.
NSFAS has said that it is unfair for students to be funded for a very long time as this would leave NSFAS to be incapable of funding less new students and taking away those opportunities of new students who are entering the system.
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
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Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.
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Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.
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Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.
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Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.
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Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
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Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
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Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
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Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
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FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.
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Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.
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UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.
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LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.
Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.