How Nsfas Work
How Nsfas Bursary Work
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a program that the South African government offers to students from less privileged backgrounds. The purpose of this is to guarantee that such students can comfortably complete their studies at TVET colleges or universities. As a result, NSFAS offers qualified students who want to or are already enrolled in TVET colleges and public universities financial aid in the form of a study bursary.
Students who have successfully applied or are already enrolled at any public Tvet college or the University of South Africa with a passing grade from 9-12 are eligible to apply for the bursary. Let’s break down the NSFAS process step-by-step, so you can easily know how to apply, receive, and manage your funding.
 Nsfas Application Open Date for 2025
All students who like to apply for the NSFAS for the 2025-2026 academic year must do that as soon as the application window is opened. The 2025 application date is open from September 20th, 2024, and closes on December 15th, 2024.
Understanding How NSFAS Works for 2025
In South Africa, there are 50 TVET colleges and 26 public universities that get funding from the NSFAS for recognized programs. Giving students financial aid is the main goal to ensure their success.
Who Can Apply For The NSFAS Bursary for 2025
The following category of persons are eligible to apply for Nsfas:
- Â All South African citizens
- Â All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
- Â Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
- Â A person with a disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per annum
- Â SASSA recipients automatically qualify for funding and need not submit any proof of income.
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What Does The NSFAS Bursary Cover
Apart from that bursaries are given by Nsfas to pay for student registration, tuition, and learning materials among many others, they also give allowances every month which take care of the following:
Allowances For Tvet College Students
- Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
- Accommodation in a peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
- Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum
- Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350Â per annum
- Transport R7000 per annum
- Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum
Allowances For Universities
- 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 the institution) R7 500Â per annum
- Living allowance R15, of 000Â per annum
- Book allowances R5200 per annum
- Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences
 Apply For 2025 Nsfas Requirement
Below are some supporting documents that Nsfas will require of you in the review of your application:
- Your phone number and email address
- Copy of your ID or birth certificate
- ID copies of parents, guardians, or spouse
- Your proof of income or 1 year’s IRP5 (where necessary)
- Your parents, guardian, or spouse’s proof of income. However, if you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required
- Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure
- An applicant who is recognized as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development is required to provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form,
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Other Documents Required, If Applicable include:
- Retrenchment letter
- Death certificate/s
- Divorcee decree
 Apply For 2025-2026 Nsfas Application
Follow the process below to apply online for the NSFAS bursaries for 2025-2026:
- Visit NSFAS Application 2025 website: www.nsfas.org.za
- Then, you click on the ‘myNSFAS’ tab.
- Create a myNSFAS account.
- Click on the ‘APPLY’ tab.
- Update your personal information.
- Answer the questions you see on the screen.
- Upload all the required supporting documents.
- Finally, click on submit
CONTACT NSFAS
For any queries related to this bursary program, please contact NSFAS directly:
- Tel: 0860 067 327
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
The NSFAS has relieved you of this burden, therefore as a citizen of South Africa, money is no longer an excuse for skipping school. Don’t miss the wonderful chance to do anything. I hope the information given has been helpful to you, leave your comments in the comments section. Better still you can visit the official website of NSFAS for more details.
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