How Much Is Pocket Money For NSFAS 2025

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been a lifeline for many South African students, allowing them to pursue higher education and achieve their academic goals. While NSFAS largely covers tuition, books, and housing, it also acknowledges the need for students to have some pocket money for daily costs. Pocket money, often known as a living allowance, is a cash allocation given to NSFAS participants to help them with their everyday living expenditures while they study. This allowance is meant to assist students in covering expenditures such as transportation, food, toiletries, and other necessities for maintaining a reasonable quality of life while attending university or college.

NSFAS Bursary Pocket Money

Nsfas provides a living allowance of R15,000 per annum and Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences for eligible university students. However, NSFAS provides an Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for eligible TVET students.

What Does the NSFAS Bursary cover?

Amounts indicated for accommodation, living allowance, transport and learning materials need to be aligned with the approved latest DHET guidelines.

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

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

Who Qualifies to Apply for NSFAS 2025

To apply for NSFAS, you must meet the following criteria:

All SASSA grant recipients
Must have email and cell phone number
Be a South African citizen with a valid ID number
Be a first-time entering university or TVET college student
Household income must not exceed R350,000 per annum
Must meet the academic requirements for admission to a university or TVET college
For persons living with disabilities, household income should not exceed R600 000 per annum.

Who Does Not Qualify For NSFAS 2025

The following people must not apply for NSFAS funding;

Students who have completed a previous qualification.
Students with a combined household income of more than R350 000 per annum.
Students who have already applied, qualified and received funding. They are automatically funded for the duration of their studies provided they pass their modules and meet the academic requirements.

How To Apply For NSFAS Funding 2025

Before applying for NSFAS funding. ensure that you meet the admission requirements of NSFAS. Follow the steps below to apply for NSFAS 2025;