If you are applying for NSFAS and one of your parents has passed away, seeing the system ask for a parent consent form can be deeply stressful. Many students immediately assume their application will be rejected because they cannot get a signature from someone who is no longer alive.
Here is the most important thing to understand upfront: NSFAS does not require consent from a deceased parent. What NSFAS needs instead is clear proof of the death and a simple explanation of why consent cannot be provided. This situation is common and handled every year during verification.
This guide explains exactly what to upload, where to upload it, and how to avoid delays.
Quick Glance
If one of your parents has passed away, NSFAS allows replacement documents instead of a consent form. These are the documents that work:
- A certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent
- An affidavit explaining that the parent is deceased and cannot sign the consent
- Proof of income or no income for the living parent or guardian only
- Guardian affidavit or court order if you are not staying with a parent
When these documents are uploaded correctly, NSFAS does not penalize your application for missing consent.
Table of Contents
Does NSFAS Really Need Consent From a Deceased Parent?
No. NSFAS does not expect consent from someone who has passed away.
The confusion usually comes from the NSFAS online system. The system automatically requests parent consent forms for all applications, regardless of personal circumstances. It does not recognize special situations such as death until a human reviewer checks the documents during verification.
Once a certified death certificate is uploaded, the consent requirement for that parent is effectively removed. This is standard NSFAS procedure and not an exception or special favor.
Which Documents Should You Upload if Your Mother or Father Has Passed Away?
If one parent is deceased, NSFAS needs two things: proof of the death and a clear explanation.
The death certificate confirms that the parent is no longer alive and cannot legally provide consent. It must be certified and clearly readable. Alongside this, an affidavit explains the situation in plain language so the reviewer understands why consent is missing.
The affidavit should clearly state:
- Which parent is deceased
- The date of death
- That consent cannot be provided due to the death
After this, NSFAS only assesses the living parent or guardian. You should not upload income documents for a deceased parent, as this can confuse the assessment and slow down verification.
Where Do You Upload the Death Certificate on the NSFAS Portal?
This is one of the most common problem areas for students.
Even if the portal still shows that a consent form is required, you should not leave the section empty. Instead, upload the death certificate under the parent document or consent section. If possible, upload the affidavit in the same place so that the reviewer sees both documents together.
NSFAS verification is done manually. Reviewers understand this situation immediately when they see a death certificate and affidavit. Problems usually arise only when no explanation is provided.
What If Both Parents Are Deceased?
When both parents have passed away, NSFAS treats the application as an orphan case. These applications require additional checks, which is why they often remain on “verification” longer than others.
In this situation, NSFAS usually requires:
- Death certificates for both parents
- A guardian affidavit or court order confirming who supports you
- Proof of income or no income for the guardian
- SASSA documentation, if applicable
A longer verification period does not mean rejection. It simply means NSFAS is carefully confirming responsibility and household income.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
Many applications are delayed even when students are eligible. The most common mistakes include:
- Uploading uncertified death certificates
- Submitting blurry or cropped images
- Leaving the consent section empty without explanation
- Uploading income documents for a deceased parent
- Uploading documents under the wrong parent profile
Most delays happen because documents are unclear, not because the student has done anything wrong.
Will NSFAS Reject My Application Because I Cannot Submit Consent?
No. NSFAS does not reject applications simply because consent is missing due to death.
Rejections usually happen only when:
- No replacement documents are uploaded, or
- The death is not clearly explained
Applications with a certified death certificate and a proper affidavit are routinely approved once verification is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the supporting documents for NSFAS?
Supporting documents are used by NSFAS to verify your identity, household situation, and financial background. These usually include identity documents, proof of income or no income, and consent-related paperwork. When a parent is deceased, supporting documents change slightly. In place of consent, NSFAS relies on a certified death certificate and an affidavit explaining the situation.
How do you write an affidavit for NSFAS?
An affidavit for NSFAS should be clear, factual, and honest. It should state who the affidavit is about, explain the situation, and clarify why certain documents cannot be submitted. Legal language is not required. Once written, the affidavit must be signed and stamped by a commissioner of oaths.
How do I send documents missing to NSFAS?
Missing documents must be uploaded through the NSFAS portal. After logging in, go to the document upload section and submit the required files under the correct category. NSFAS does not usually accept documents by email unless specifically requested. After uploading, it is normal for the status to take time to update.
What is the NSFAS consent form for a mother?
The NSFAS consent form allows NSFAS to verify a living parent or guardian’s income with government databases. It is required only for living parents or guardians. If a mother is deceased, consent is replaced with a death certificate and an affidavit explaining why consent cannot be provided.
Which documents are needed when appealing for NSFAS?
Appeal documents must support the reason for the appeal. If the NSFAS appeal relates to household circumstances, such as the death of a parent, documents usually include death certificates, affidavits, and updated proof of income or no income. Appeals fail most often when documents do not clearly support the appeal reason.
Does NSFAS take affidavits?
Yes. NSFAS accepts affidavits and relies on them when standard documents cannot be provided. Affidavits are commonly used to explain death, unemployment, guardianship, or lack of income, as long as they are properly signed and stamped.
What documents do I need for an affidavit of support?
An affidavit of support usually works together with other documents. These may include identity documents of the person supporting the student, proof of income or no income, and any legal documents confirming guardianship. The affidavit explains the financial relationship clearly.
How much does it cost to do an affidavit?
Affidavits are usually free when done at a police station or court in South Africa. Commissioners of oaths at these locations do not charge a fee. Private institutions may charge, but this is not required.
Final Thoughts
When a parent has passed away, the NSFAS process can feel overwhelming, especially when the system asks for documents that cannot be provided. It is important to know that this situation is recognized and handled by NSFAS every year.
NSFAS does not require consent from a deceased parent. A certified death certificate, supported by a clear affidavit, legally replaces consent and allows your application or appeal to move forward. Delays usually happen because documents are unclear or incomplete, not because the student is ineligible.
If your documents are clear, truthful, and properly uploaded, your application remains valid. This is a normal verification process, and many funded students pass through it before approval.
Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.
