Categories: www.nsfas.org.za

How NSFAS Assist Students 2025

A basic right that empowers people and promotes social advancement is access to higher education. However, the financial expenditure of pursuing higher education is sometimes a considerable barrier for many expected students. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government project that was launched in 1999 with the primary aim of providing financial assistance to eligible students wishing to continue higher education at universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutes.

NSFAS’s mission is to provide financial support to students from poor and working-class families in a sustainable manner that promotes access to, and success in, higher and further education and training, in pursuit of South Africa’s national and human resource development goals.

NSFAS exists to provide financial support to qualified students at TVET colleges and public universities; NSFAS identifies qualified students, provides bursaries, and collects past student loan repayments to replenish funds available for future generations of students; and NSFAS supports access to and success in higher education and training for students from low-income and working-class families who would not be able to study otherwise.

READ HERE: What Does NSFAS Bursary Cover

What Does NSFAS Funds Conceal?

NSFAS funds cover a variety of expenditures associated with higher education. NSFAS funds are typically used to pay for:

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 Colleges-

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 Is Eligible To Apply For NSFAS Funding?

NSFAS provides funding for qualified students who meet the qualified criteria for the fund. To qualify for NSFAS assistance, students typically need to meet the following requirements:

Must be a citizen of South Africa/ permanent citizen dweller
Combined gross household income should not be more than 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 email and cell phone number.

READ HERE: Who Qualifies For NSFAS 2025?

How Do I Apply For NSFAS Funding?

NSFAS Funding application is done online on the official website of NSFAS during the application period. The application procedure is simple and straightforward and can be done from the comfort of your home, provided you meet the qualification criteria and have in possession all supporting documents. Follow the steps below to apply;

Visit the official website of NSFAS at: www.nsfas.org.za
Click on the ‘myNSFAS’ tab.
Create a myNSFAS account
Click on the ‘APPLY’ tab and complete the sections on the screen
Upload required supporting documents where applicable
Click on ‘Submit’.

Legal Papers Required to Apply For NSFAS

All candidates are required to upload and submit the following documents;

All candidates must provide a copy of their ID. A temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs will be accepted.
Non-SASSA candidates must provide ID copies of parent/s, legal guardian/guardian, or spouse.
Smart ID cards: a copy with both sides of the smart ID must be provided.
Proof of income: The candidate and/or parents/legal guardian/spouse (where applicable (non-SASSA) should provide the latest payslip not older than 3 months, UIF letter, appointment letter, retrenchment letter (candidate and/or parent(s), legal guardian/spouse)
Passports/Driver’s licenses will not be accepted as proof of ID.

READ ALSO: How Much Is NSFAS Allowance 2025-2026?

Contact NSFAS

Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Twitter: @myNSFAS
Instagram: @myNSFAS
WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006
USSD:*120*67327#

NSFAS not only helps individual students, but it also helps to shape a more equal and prosperous South Africa for all. If you want to pursue higher education but are limited by finances, NSFAS may be the key to unlocking your potential and realizing your aspirations. Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information.

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