How Much Does NSFAS Give Students
How Much Does NSFAS Give Students
Are you curious about how much money NSFAS gives to students each year? You’re not alone. Many students and parents want to know what kind of support they can expect from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This post explains everything in simple and easy-to-understand language. NSFAS is a financial aid program run by the South African government. Its main purpose is to help students from low-income families pay for their university or TVET college education. Without NSFAS, many students would not be able to afford to study further after high school.
NSFAS pays for more than just tuition fees. Depending on your situation and where you study, it can also cover accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials like textbooks and stationery. These allowances are paid directly to the student or the institution, depending on the type of expense.
The exact amount a student gets may differ from one person to another. For example, students who live on campus may receive more for accommodation, while others living at home may get transport allowances instead. Due to NSFAS, many young South Africans have been able to achieve their dreams of getting a higher education. In this article, we’ll break down how much funding students typically receive and how it helps them succeed in their studies.
Learn more: NSFAS Track Status
Allowances Provided by NSFAS
The amount of funding you can receive from NSFAS varies based on several factors. Below is a breakdown of NSFAS allowances.
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 the institution) R7 500 per annum
- Living allowance R15, 000 per annum
- Book allowances R5200 per annum
- Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences
How Much Does NSFAS Give Students
TVET
- Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
- Accommodation in a peri-urban area is R18,900 per annum
- Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum
- Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350 per annum
- Transport R7000 per annum
- Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum.
Required Documents To Apply For NSFAS
NSFAS Applicants must provide the following documents;
- 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 and or abridged birth certificate must complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA.
Learn more: How Much Is NSFAS Allowance For 2026
How To Apply For NSFAS
Follow the detailed guide below to apply for NSFAS.
- Visit the official website of NSFAS at: www.nsfas.org.za
- Click on the ‘myNSFAS’ tab.
- Create a myNSFAS account with your personal information
- Click on the ‘APPLY’ tab and complete the sections on the screen
- Upload required supporting documents where applicable
- Click on ‘Submit. ’
Contact NSFAS
NSFAS Virtual Contact Centre
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Instagram: @myNSFAS
- WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006
- USSD:*120*67327#.
The amount of support available from NSFAS is determined by criteria such as your family income, program of study, and living expenses. You may use this useful financial help program and pursue your educational goals if you match the qualifying conditions and apply on time. Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information.
RELATED LINKS