Does NSFAS Fund 2 Courses 2026?

Does NSFAS Fund 2 Courses 2026?

If you’re a South African student planning to register for more than one course for the 2026-2027 academic session, you might be wondering if NSFAS will help pay for both. It’s important to know how NSFAS funding works before you make any big decisions about your studies. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government program created to help students who don’t have enough money to pay for higher education on their own.

NSFAS offers financial support that covers many study-related costs, including tuition fees, textbooks, meals, and accommodation. This funding has helped thousands of students achieve their education goals without worrying about how to afford it. However, NSFAS funding comes with specific rules. One of the main rules is that NSFAS will only pay for one qualification at a time. This means that you cannot get financial support to study two courses at the same time, even if they are at the same institution or different institutions.

If you are studying at a TVET college and you finish your N6 qualification, you can apply again for NSFAS funding when you move on to university. To do this, you’ll need to complete your N6 first, then submit a new application for your university course. In summary, NSFAS supports students who are working toward their first qualification, but funding is limited to one course at any given time.

Learn more: Who Does NSFAS Fund 2026

NSFAS Eligibility Criteria for 2026

• Must be a South African citizen / permanent resident
• Combined gross household income should not exceed R350,000 per annum
• Combined gross household income (persons living with disabilities) should not exceed R600,000 per annum
• SASSA recipients automatically qualify for financial eligibility
• Must have an email and cell phone number.
• All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
• A person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600,000 per annum

NSFAS Funding Academic Requirements for 2026

To qualify for NSFAS funding in 2026, you need to meet certain academic requirements. If you want to study at a TVET college, you must have passed at least Grade 9. But if you plan to study at a university or take some courses at a TVET college, you need to have completed Grade 12.

Even if NSFAS approves your funding application, you still have to meet the entry requirements of the university or TVET college you want to attend. This means you must first be accepted by the institution based on your marks and other admission criteria before NSFAS will pay for your studies.

What does the NSFAS bursary cover?

NSFAS covers the following;

UNIVERSITY

• Accommodation
  As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
• Transport (up to 40 km from institution) R7,500 per annum
• Living allowance R15, 000 per annum
• Book allowances R5200 per annum
• Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

TVET

• Accommodation in an urban area R24,000 per annum
• Accommodation in a peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
• Accommodation in a rural area R15,750 per annum
• Transport (up to 40 km from institution) R7,350 per annum
• Transport R7000 per annum
• Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

Supporting documents required for NSFAS 2026

• Copy of student ID / Birth certificate
• Copy of parent/s or guardian/ spouse ID
• Smart card: both sides of the card are required
• Proof of income (where applicable)
• Persons living with disability (Disability Annexure A form)
• An applicant who is recognised as a vulnerable child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed Vulnerable Child Declaration form completed by a social worker
• An applicant who has indicated that s/he has no family member details or an abridged birth certificate must complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA.

Learn more: NSFAS Coinvest

NSFAS Application Procedure for 2026

The NSFAS Application is done online on the official website of the agency. Follow the steps below to apply for NSFAS funding;

• Step 1: Go to www.nsfas.org.za and click on the ‘myNSFAS’ tab.
• Step 2: Create a myNSFAS account.
• Step 3: Click on the ‘APPLY’ tab and complete the sections on the screen.
• Step 4: Upload required supporting documents where applicable.
• Step 5: Click on ‘Submit’.

Contact NSFAS

Contact NSFAS through the following details;

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme

Twitter: @myNSFAS

Instagram: @myNSFAS

WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006

USSD:*120*67327#

NSFAS generally funds a single undergraduate diploma. It is important to review NSFAS rules and remain up to speed with their current regulations to ensure you fulfil all of the qualifying criteria and have a successful application. Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information.

RELATED LINKS