How Much Does NSFAS Pay Per Student Per Month?

How Much Does NSFAS Pay Per Student Per Month?

How Much Does NSFAS Pay Per Student Per Month?

If you’re a student in South Africa who gets help from NSFAS, you might be wondering, “How much money does NSFAS pay me each month?” NSFAS is there to help students pay for things like tuition fees, accommodation, books, and daily living costs while they’re studying. As a student in South Africa, knowing the amount to be expected to fund your studies is important. NSFAS gives allowances that help deserving students with various needs, such as accommodation, transport, food, books, and personal care. The amount students receive can change depending on things like the type of institution they attend, whether it’s a university or a TVET college, and their specific needs. Understanding how much NSFAS pays per month is essential for proper financial planning during your studies

The amount NSFAS gives every month can be different for each student. It depends on things like the course you’re taking, where you live (on or off campus), and how much financial help you need. Some students get money that covers almost everything, while others might get only part of their costs covered. Usually, NSFAS pays a monthly allowance to help with living expenses like food, transport, and other personal needs. This money doesn’t go straight into your bank account but through special payment partners linked to your college or university, so it arrives safely and on time.

NSFAS was established by the South African government to give financial support to academically brilliant but financially disadvantaged students so that they might pursue higher education. If you are interested in knowing the exact amount that NSFAS pays per student, read below to find out more details. In this article, we’ll explain how much NSFAS pays per student each month, how they decide the amounts, and what factors affect your funding. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of the financial support you can get from NSFAS during your time at school.

Read more: How Many Months Does NSFAS Pay 2026

NSFAS Payment Date to TVET Colleges

NSFAS began sending out payments on 7 March to cover two months of allowances for students. These payments were made based on the registration details that colleges had sent in. By the morning of 4 March, 18 TVET Colleges had uploaded their students’ registrations. So, NSFAS made the first payments to students from those 18 colleges.

Who is eligible for NSFAS funding?

• All South African citizens
• All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
• Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350,000 per annum
• Person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600,000 per annum
• Students who started studying before 2018, whose household income is not more than R122,000 per annum.

NSFAS Allowance Components Breakdown:

NSFAS provides financial assistance through two main components:

• Bursaries: Bursaries are intended to pay the entire cost of tuition for qualified students. Students who receive NSFAS bursaries are not required to pay their educational expenditures directly to the university.
• Allowances: In addition to tuition, NSFAS grants monthly allowances to students to help them pay their living expenses. These allowances may cover the expenditures of housing, food, transportation, and personal care.

NSFAS Monthly Allowance For South African Students for 2026

The NSFAS monthly allowances can vary depending on a variety of criteria, including the type of institution, the degree of study, and the student’s circumstances. NSFAS pays the following amount to cover the expenses of higher education;

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

Read more: NSFAS Monthly Allowance 2026

TVET

• Accommodation in an urban area R24,000 per annum
• Accommodation in an 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

NSFAS Contact Details

For all other queries regarding students:
Tel No.: 08000 67327
Email: info@nsfas.org.za

NSFAS monthly allowances assist students in covering their living expenses, allowing them to concentrate on their academics without excessive financial burden. Although the exact amount of these allowances varies, they are intended to assist students on their academic path. Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information.

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