How Often NSFAS Pay For College Students 2025

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial backing to eligible college students in South Africa. For many, NSFAS is a support that allows them to pursue higher education. NSFAS payments are normally made monthly to college students. This implies that students who qualify for NSFAS assistance receive their financial assistance in monthly payments. The goal of monthly payments is to assist students in covering their living expenditures, such as housing, food, transportation, and learning resources, during the academic year.

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What Does NSFAS Funds Pay For?

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:

Tuition Fees:

Depending on your qualifications and the individual program you are registered in, NSFAS may cover the entire cost of tuition fees or a large portion of them. This implies that qualifying students are exempt from paying tuition costs out of pocket.

Accommodations:

The cost of on-campus or off-campus accommodation, including rent for university or college dormitories or authorized private accommodation facilities, may be covered by NSFAS. Accommodation costs are covered differently depending on your financial situation and available funds.

Meals and Food Allowance:

Some NSFAS funds may be used to provide daily meals or a food allowance. This can guarantee that students have access to nutritious meals and can concentrate on their schoolwork without having to worry about food insecurity.

Transport Allowance:

NSFAS may support transportation expenditures such as bus or rail fares, gasoline charges, or other commuting expenses. This assistance enables students to attend classes and use educational facilities.

Laptop or Computer:

In recent years, NSFAS has also given eligible students with laptops or computer devices to promote online study and research. This is especially true in the digital era when technology plays an important role in education.

Contribution:

NSFAS may provide students with monthly living allowances to cover general living expenditures such as personal goods and incidentals. The amount of the contribution varies based on requirements such as your financial situation and the kind of education program you choose.

Registration Fees:

NSFAS often pays the fees for registering for courses or programs. This covers registration costs as well as any other administrative expenses imposed by the educational institution.

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Application Process For NSFAS

Follow the steps below to complete the NSFAS application;

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 yield the following documents;

All candidate must provide a copy of their ID. A temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs will be accepted.
Non-SASSA applicants 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 applicant 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.

NSFAS Contact Details