How Long Does NSFAS Fund A 3 Year Course?

How Long Does NSFAS Fund A 3 Year Course?

Paying for university or college can be a big challenge for many students in South Africa. Tuition fees, accommodation, and daily living expenses add up quickly. Luckily, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) helps students from low-income households by covering these costs. If you’re planning to do a three-year course, you might be asking: how long will NSFAS support me? NSFAS usually provides funding for the full length of your course. So, if you’re doing a three-year degree, NSFAS will likely cover those three years, provided you meet all the academic and other requirements each year.

This includes paying for your tuition, accommodation, books, meals, and other study-related costs. There is also a rule called the N+2 rule. This means NSFAS will fund your course duration (N), plus two extra years if needed. So, if your course is three years long, the maximum time you can be funded is five years. These extra years are meant to support students who might face challenges or need to repeat a few modules.

However, if you don’t meet NSFAS’s academic progress requirements or if you fail too many subjects, you could lose your funding. Also, if you’ve already completed a qualification and want to start another one, your NSFAS eligibility may change. To keep getting support, it’s important to pass your subjects, stick to your study plan, and stay within the allowed time. This ensures that NSFAS continues to fund your education until you complete your course.

Learn more: How Many Years Does NSFAS Fund

Understanding the NSFAS N+2 Rule

The N+2 rule is an important part of how NSFAS funds university students. In this rule, “N” stands for the normal length of your course. The “+2” means NSFAS will give you up to two extra years to finish if you need more time. So, if your degree usually takes three years, NSFAS can pay for up to five years in total (three years plus two extra). For students at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, the rule is called N+1. This means if your course is supposed to take one year, NSFAS will fund you for up to two years to complete it.

Approved Courses NSFAS Fund for 2026

Naturally, the costs of the courses also vary considerably, but it is important to remember that Department of Higher Education and Training programmes are subsidised by 80% of the delivery cost, and for the remaining 20% that would be paid by the student, many full bursaries are available.

However, the generally funded programmes are below:

• Engineering Studies – (National Certificate -Vocational) NQF levels 2-4 & Engineering studies – Report 191 N1-N6
• Engineering and Related Design; Electrical Infrastructure; Civil Engineering, Construction, and Information Technology & Computer Science
• Business & Utility Studies (National Certificate – Vocational) NQF levels 2-4 & Report 191 N1-N6
• Management; Marketing; Finance; Office Administration; Economics & Accounting; Education & Development; Hospitality; Tourism; Safety in Society and Transport & Logistics
• Pre-Learning Programme (PLP) funding through NSFAS

NSFAS Funding Academic Eligibility Requirements for 2026

The number of course credits earned by a student throughout the academic year will be used to determine their educational requirements. Higher education criteria will be gradually aligned by institutions and NSFAS. To receive NSFAS for the 3-year program, you must meet the following requirements;

University

• As of 2026, First Time Entering Students (FTEN) must achieve a course credit pass rate of 50% for their previous academic term.
• Continuing university students must, as of 2026, achieve a course credit pass rate of 55% for their previous academic term. How Long Does NSFAS Fund A 3 Year Course?

TVET Colleges

• A bursary may only be awarded to students progressing to the next NC (V)
  level if they passed at least 5 subjects in the previous NC (V) level.
• A bursary may only be awarded to students progressing to the next Report 191 level if they passed a minimum of 3 subjects in the previous N-Level.
• Academic progression criteria requirements for continuing students studying occupational programmes will be determined by TVET Colleges, and results shared with NSFAS.

Learn more: Does NSFAS Fund 2 Courses 2026?

Apply for NSFAS 2026

Follow the steps below to apply online for NSFAS funding;

• Visit the NSFAS official application website at https://www.nsfas.org.za/
• Select the “Create an account” tab, where you will be required to fill in your ID number, first and last name, email address, contact number, and your selected password
• You will then be required to validate your account and the information you have provided
• After creating your account, you will be able to select the “Login” tab and log in by filling in your ID number and password.
• Fill in all the required information and upload your supporting documents.
• Submit your application before the closing date.

Contact NSFAS

NSFAS is 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#

NSFAS is essential for students studying a three-year programme in South Africa, helping to alleviate the financial load of higher education. In general, NSFAS will pay for your whole three-year study, but you must complete their standards, maintain academic progress, and be mindful of issues that may impact the length of your scholarship. Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information.

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