How Often NSFAS Pay For College Students 2026

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme(NSFAS) plays a big role in helping South African students afford higher education. It provides financial support to students who qualify and are studying at public universities or TVET colleges. For many students, this assistance is the reason they’re able to go to college in the first place.

NSFAS gives out this support in the form of monthly payments. This means that students who have been approved for NSFAS funding receive their money every month while they are studying. These payments are meant to help cover the everyday costs of being a student. This includes things like rent for student accommodation, groceries, transport, and other basic needs. It can also help with the cost of study materials, such as textbooks and stationery, which are essential for success in college.

The monthly payments are spread out throughout the academic year to ensure that students have a steady source of support. This system is designed to reduce financial stress and help students focus on their studies instead of worrying about how to pay for food or transport. NSFAS aims to make sure that money problems don’t stop anyone from getting a proper education. So, by paying monthly, they help students manage their budgets better and stay on track with their academic goals.

Learn more: NSFAS For TVET College

NSFAS Allowance and Amounts for 2026

South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial support to eligible students to make higher education more accessible. NSFAS pays for a variety of educational expenses, including:

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

TVET

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

Eligibility Criteria for 2026 NSFAS

To qualify for NSFAS funding in 2026, students must be;

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.

When Are NSFAS Payments Made?

Payment dates for the TVET colleges

NSFAS started paying out student allowances in March, covering two months at once. These payments were based on valid registration data sent in by colleges. At the beginning of March, 18 TVET colleges had successfully uploaded their student registrations, so NSFAS made the first payments to students from those colleges.

NSFAS is now keeping track of more registration data being uploaded. They’re planning a second round of payments in March to make sure that students from other colleges, whose valid registrations were submitted after the first deadline, also get their allowances before the end of the month.

Supporting documents required for NSFAS

NSFAS needs information to confirm the employment and income of an applicant’s parents, guardians, or spouse.

NSFAS Declaration Form: completed by the school principal or social worker. (Non-SASSA only)
Orphan and Vulnerable Child Declaration Form: completed by a social worker for applicants under 18. (Non-SASSA only)
NSFAS Consent Form: signed by the applicant and/or parent, guardian, or spouse. (Not needed for SASSA recipients)
If the applicant has a legal guardian, court-issued proof is required.
For non-court-appointed guardians, submit the NSFAS Declaration Form.

Learn more: How Often Does NSFAS Pay For Tuition Fees 2026

Application Process For NSFAS

Follow the steps below to complete the NSFAS application;