Do You Have To Pay NSFAS Back 2026?

Do You Have To Pay NSFAS Back 2026?

Over the past few years, NSFAS has gone through many changes, which is why so many students feel unsure about what they will need to pay back. NSFAS, which stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, is a policy funded by the South African government to help students from low-income families study further after school. It pays for many important costs, including your tuition fees, accommodation, study materials like textbooks, and even a living allowance to cover daily expenses.

The main goal of NSFAS is to remove the financial barriers that often prevent talented students from getting a good education. This way, more young people can focus on their studies without worrying about how they will afford it. Whether you will need to repay NSFAS in 2026 depends on the type of funding you get.

If you qualify for a bursary and you keep up with your academic performance by passing your modules as required, you usually don’t have to pay anything back. The bursary is meant to be a grant to support you. However, in some cases, NSFAS funding may be structured as a loan. If this applies to you, you will have to repay the money, but only after you finish your studies and start earning an income. The repayment terms are designed to be fair and manageable, so you won’t be overwhelmed when you begin your career.

Learn more: NSFAS Funding 2026/2027

NSFAS Funding: Bursaries and Loans

Bursaries and loans are the two basic funding models used by NSFAS. The financing type you receive is determined by your financial situation and academic performance. Do You Have To Pay NSFAS Back 2026?

Bursary:

• If you meet the financial qualifying criteria for NSFAS and maintain satisfactory academic progress, your funding will be converted into a non-repayable bursary. This means you will not be required to refund the money received.

Loan:

• If you fail to meet the financial qualifying requirements or do not maintain adequate academic progress, your financing will be changed to a loan.
• After completing your education, you will be obliged to repay the loan amount according to certain terms and circumstances.

NSFAS Repayment 2026

If your NSFAS assistance is in the form of a loan, you must repay it. The payback process, on the other hand, is designed to be fair and manageable for graduates.NSFAS recipients begin repaying their loans only once they have graduated and are hired. After finishing your education, you will have a one-year grace period before repayments begin. Do You Have To Pay NSFAS Back 2026?

NSFAS Repayment Method

All students who got an NSFAS loan before the president declared free education in December 2017 must repay the loaned amount per the loan agreement form they signed. Your NSFAS load can be paid in the following ways;

Debit Order:

• This is an excellent option if you don’t want to bother about remembering to pay your NSFAS loan every month. Simply fill out and submit the electronic debit order form. OR Complete this form and email it back to collections@nsfas.org.za

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT):

If you would like to do an EFT each month, these are our bank details.

1. Name of Account: NSFAS
2. Branch Code: 210554
3. Bank: First National Bank
4. Account Number: 500 600 28203
5. Please use your ID Number (6711165000000) as a reference when making payments.

Learn more: NSFAS Loan Or Bursary 2026

Salary Dedication:

• Your employer may deduct money from your paycheck and pay it to NSFAS.
• Print, fill out, and return the form to your company.

Contact NSFAS

NSFAS Pay Back 2026-2027?

We are available to assist through the following channels:

• Email: info@nsfas.org.za

• Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme

• Twitter: @myNSFAS

• Instagram: @myNSFAS

• WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006

• USSD:*120*67327#

Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information. 

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