Full Cost of Study and Partial Cost of Study

Who is eligible for FCS?

FCS will be available to South African citizens and permanent resident students, who (i) are either financially needy (ii) living with a disability; or (iii) are exceptional academic achievers.

What is the value of FCS funding?

The scholarship value for FCS is indicated in the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Application and Funding Framework document.

The PCS will be available to (i) South African citizens and permanent resident students who are not eligible to be funded under FCS; (ii) students from SADC countries; and (iii) students from the rest of the world.

What are the minimum academic requirements for students to be considered for PCS funding by the NRF?

A student must obtain:

A minimum average of 65% for major subjects in the final undergraduate year of study for honours funding;
A minimum average of 65% at the honours level or final year of a four year degree for masters funding; and
A minimum of 65% (or cum laude) at the masters level for doctoral funding.

What is the value of PCS funding?

The scholarship value of PCS is indicated in the DSI-NRF Postgraduate Application and Funding Framework document.

How will the NRF scholarship be paid out?

The scholarship will be paid out on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Who decides which students receives FCS or PCS funding?

The NRF decides on the type of support awarded to students based on a financial means test outcomes, academic achievement, disability and citizenship.

Will students funded under PCS receive uninterrupted study support?

Yes, however, they must complete their degree within the NRF funding period and obtain the required minimum of 65% in their degree.

Please note: Uninterrupted study support is funding of postgraduate students from the honours up to the doctoral level. Students must register for a master’s degree immediately after completing the honours degree and/or register for a doctoral degree immediately after completing the master’s degree. In addition they will have to make a new scholarship application for each study level and meet the stipulated academic entry requirements.

If the NRF is held as a primary funder on all DSI-NRF Postgraduate Funding, what does this imply?

The NRF conditions of award supersedes other funder agreements and conditions of award, therefore the NRF will remain the primary funder.

Will all students who are awarded NRF FCS funding receive the same scholarship value? That is, will the cost of living in each city and region be taken into consideration?

Yes, all students will receive the same scholarship value as indicated in the Application and Funding Framework. In addition, students may receive supplementary funding as detailed in the following question.

Will a student who receives NRF PCS or FCS funding be allowed to hold other scholarships and/or top-up funding?

Yes, students on PCS and FCS funding may receive supplementary funding from another private-sector source or other South African government or the supervisor’s running expenses (SARChI, CoEs, etc.) or any other source, provided that the total funding received from the NRF, and the other source(s) does not exceed that of the NRF FCS. Additional funding must not cover the same costs covered by the NRF scholarship.

Will students whose masters degree have been upgraded to a doctoral programme be considered under FCS or PCS for the doctoral studies?

Students who upgrade from a masters to doctoral registration and that have demonstrated exceptional achievement to date may be considered for FCS. The NRF will consider motivations from the student and supervisor submitted through the university Designated Authority.

Will a student who receives a merit award from their institution be allowed to receive NRF postgraduate funding?

Students on PCS and FCS may receive a merit award from their institution or funding from another private-sector source or other South African government, the NRF funding will also be reduced accordingly, so that it does not exceed the maximum value of the NRF FCS funding.