What Does NSFAS “DHA Verification Failed” Mean? The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is the custodian of the identity of all South African citizens, critical to which is the issuance of birth, marriage and death certificates; identity documents (IDs) and passports; as well as citizenship; naturalisation and permanent residency certificates.
What Is “DHA Verification Failed” in NSFAS?
“DHA Verification Failed” means that your personal details could not be verified with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
NSFAS works with DHA to confirm your identity using:
- Your ID number
- Full names
- Surname
- Date of birth
If these details don’t match exactly, verification fails.
When applying for funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), you and the details you provide in your application will undergo verification by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
These background checks are to ensure that the information you submit are factual, and that nothing was fabricated in order to better your chances of securing financial aid for tertiary education studies.
The verification of your ID number, name and surname is done immediately when creating your myNSFAS account on the NSFAS website.
NSFAS requires you to make use of a myNSFAS account to apply and track your application status.
There are a number of prompts that may appear when a student checks their NSFAS application status, which may disrupt the approval of their application. One such prompt features the words ‘DHA Verification Failed’, but despite this representing an obstacle in the application, it does not necessarily mean that the application has been entirely rejected.
Instead, what this means is that in the process of NSFAS verifying the details and information you have given them through Home Affairs, the verification of it failed. However, this is not something to be upset or anxious over, as this happens to many applicants
NSFAS has partnered with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) to make sure that fraud doesn’t occur in terms of students who are undeserving receiving funding. They then are working through the DHA and SARS to verify the information applicants submit with their application.
Now, when a student sees ‘DHA Verification Failed’, it means there’s been a mismatch during verification.
According to NSFAS, this is most likely due to a missing name. The situation could be that the applicant has more than one name but has only provided their first name during their application. This would then create a problem in the verification process.
Students are therefore encouraged to submit their full names when completing their NSFAS applications for funding. Careers Portal will continue to provide updates on any developments related to this situation and NSFAS applications in general.
However, if students want to take matters into their own hands, they can make use of the following ways to contact NSFAS should they have any queries:
NSFAS Contact Centre is opened Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
- Twitter: myNSFAS
- Instagram: myNSFAS
- NSFAS Connect: www.nsfas.org.za
and log into your myNSFAS account
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does DHA verification failed mean?
It means your details could not be matched with Department of Home Affairs records.
Is DHA verification failure common?
Yes, many students experience this issue.
Can I still get NSFAS if verification fails?
Yes, if you fix the issue before deadlines.
How do I correct my NSFAS details?
Log into your account and update incorrect information.
Do I need to visit Home Affairs?
Only if your details are correct but still failing.
How long does verification take?
Usually a few days, but can take longer.
Can a typo cause verification failure?
Yes, even small errors can cause it.
Does NSFAS verify ID numbers?
Yes, through the Department of Home Affairs.
What if my surname changed?
Update it with Home Affairs and NSFAS.
Can I appeal this issue?
Yes, if your application gets rejected.
Does this affect funding approval?
Yes, verification is required for approval.
Can NSFAS fix it for me?
They can guide you, but you may need to update details yourself.
What documents should I check?
Your ID document and NSFAS application details.
Is DHA verification automatic?
Yes, it is done electronically.
Can system errors cause this?
Yes, sometimes it’s a technical issue.
Should I reapply if it fails?
Not immediately—try correcting your details first.
Can foreigners apply for NSFAS?
No, only South African citizens qualify.
Will I be notified when it’s fixed?
Yes, your status will update on your account.
Does this delay funding?
Yes, it can delay approval.
What is the fastest way to fix it?
Correct your details and verify them with Home Affairs immediately.
