NSFAS Guide

What NSFAS is

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is government funding for students from low-income households studying at South Africa's 26 public universities and 50 TVET colleges. It is a bursary, not a loan, for qualifying students who pass their modules.

Who qualifies

NSFAS uses a household-income threshold and citizenship requirements.

• South African citizen with a valid ID
• Combined household income under the published threshold (higher threshold applies to students with disabilities)
• SASSA grant recipients qualify automatically on the income test
• Registered or accepted at a public university or TVET college
• Meeting academic progression rules for continuing students

What it covers

NSFAS typically covers registration and tuition fees, an accommodation or transport allowance, a learning-material allowance and a personal-care allowance. Amounts are set annually and differ between university and TVET students.

How to apply

Apply free of charge on the official NSFAS website or the myNSFAS app. Create a myNSFAS account, complete the application, upload your supporting documents and submit before the closing date. Applications for the following academic year usually open in the second half of the year.

If you are rejected

You have the right to appeal, usually within 30 days of the outcome. Log in to myNSFAS, select the rejected application and submit an appeal with evidence — for example proof of a change in household income, a death certificate, or documents correcting an error. In the meantime, apply for private bursaries: many close later in the year.