What NSFAS covers
For approved students, NSFAS typically covers:
- Registration and tuition fees, paid directly to the institution
- Accommodation allowance (actual cost up to a capped amount, or a private accommodation allowance)
- Transport allowance for students living further than a set distance from campus
- Learning material allowance
- Personal care allowance
TVET college students are funded for NC(V) and NATED (Report 191) programmes; university students are funded for undergraduate degrees and some postgraduate qualifications such as PGCE.
Who qualifies?
The core requirement is a combined household income of R350,000 or less per year. Applicants who receive SASSA grants qualify automatically. You must be a South African citizen, and you must be registered (or accepted) at a public university or TVET college for an approved qualification. NSFAS does not fund students at private institutions or those doing second qualifications in most cases.
How to apply
- Create a myNSFAS account on the official NSFAS website or mobile app.
- Complete the online application with your ID number, contact details and household information.
- Upload or submit supporting documents: certified ID copies for you and your parents or guardian, proof of household income (payslips, pension statements or an affidavit if unemployed), and your latest results.
- Consent to NSFAS verifying your information with third parties such as SARS, the Department of Home Affairs and SASSA.
- Submit before the application deadline — late applications are generally not considered.
Applications usually open in the final quarter of the year for the following academic year. NSFAS announces the exact dates each year.
Common mistakes that get applications rejected
- Submitting after the deadline
- Using someone else's ID or phone number for the myNSFAS account
- Failing to declare all household income, or documents that don't match the declared income
- Applying for a qualification NSFAS does not fund
- Not accepting the bursary agreement online after approval
Do you have to repay NSFAS?
The NSFAS bursary is not repaid as long as you complete your qualification within the prescribed period. Historically NSFAS also provided loans (which were repaid once you started earning above a threshold), but the current full-bursary model applies to qualifying students. Always read your specific funding agreement carefully.
What happens after approval?
You sign a Bursary Agreement online, after which NSFAS pays your fees and allowances directly. Allowances are usually paid monthly through the institution or directly into your bank account. Keep your academic record on track — continued funding depends on meeting the institution's progression rules.