Who Qualifies For NSFAS Bursary 2026

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is designed to help South African students from low-income households access higher education. With the rising costs of tuition, books, transport, and accommodation, NSFAS plays a vital role in making university and TVET college studies possible for thousands of students each year. To be eligible for the NSFAS bursary in 2026, students must meet specific qualifications. Only South African citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. One of the key requirements is financial need—your combined household income must not be more than R350,000 per year.

For students living with a disability, the income limit is R600,000. Anyone who receives a SASSA grant is automatically considered eligible. NSFAS funding is only available to students who are enrolled at public universities or TVET colleges. The bursary does not cover private colleges or universities. You must be registered for an approved course, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students who have already completed a qualification at the same level are not eligible to apply again.

Academic performance also plays an important role. To keep your NSFAS funding, you need to meet your institution’s academic requirements by passing a set percentage of your courses each year. NSFAS aims to support students who are serious about their education and who need financial help the most. Meeting the basic requirements is the first step toward securing this valuable support for the 2026 academic year.

Learn more: NSFAS Who Qualifies

NSFAS Bursary Eligibility for 2026

To qualify for an NSFAS bursary in 2026, candidates must meet a set of specific requirements related to their citizenship, financial need, academic standing, and enrollment plans.

Only South African citizens are qualified for this bursary scheme.
A student must be enrolled or intending to register in a PLP, NC(V), or Report 191 program at any of the fifty (50) public TVET Colleges in South Africa;
Must need financial backing (NSFAS will determine whether or not a student meets the financial qualification criteria);
Returning students must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance (academically deserving) in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher);
Must not be registered for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded; and
Candidates will be eligible if they fall within the maximum threshold of up to R350,000 of combined gross family income per annum and have been admitted/received a firm offer for enrolment in a College.

Academic Eligibility Criteria

To keep getting NSFAS funding, students need to pass a certain number of their subjects each year. NSFAS and the universities will work together to make sure the rules for academic progress are in line.

For University Students

If you’re studying at a university and receiving NSFAS support, you must meet the academic requirements to keep your funding.

This means you need to pass at least 60% of your subjects by the end of the academic year. If you don’t meet this requirement, you may lose your funding for 2026. Who Qualifies For NSFAS Bursary 2026

TVET Academic Eligibility Criteria

For students at TVET Colleges, there are certain rules to keep getting NSFAS funding:

If you’re studying an NC(V) course, you must pass at least 5 subjects to move on to the next level and qualify for a bursary.
If you’re doing a Report 191 course, you must pass at least 3 subjects in your current N-level to move on and still get funded.
For students doing occupational programmes, each TVET college will set its own rules for academic progress and share its results with NSFAS.

N+ Rule

The N+ Rule sets a limit on how long NSFAS will fund you. If you take too long to finish your studies or don’t meet the academic progress requirements, you might no longer qualify for funding at a university or TVET college.

Who shouldn’t apply for NSFAS?

If you’ve already finished a previous qualification, you shouldn’t apply.
If your household earns more than R350,000 a year, you don’t qualify.
If you’ve already applied, been approved, and are currently funded by NSFAS, there’s no need to apply again, as long as you pass your modules and meet the academic requirements, your funding will continue.

Learn more: Who Gets NSFAS

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.

Application Process For NSFAS Funding 2026

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 the required supporting documents, where applicable
Click on ‘Submit’.

NSFAS Contact Details

We are available to assist through the following channels:

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

The NSFAS bursary in 2026 provides a lifeline to financially disadvantaged South African students who want to pursue higher education. To increase your chances of getting this vital financial support, make sure you match the qualification criteria, follow the application process, and keep updated about critical dates. Visit the official NSFAS website for more information.

RELATED LINKS

NSFAS Bursary Requirements 2026/2027