Nsfas Online Application 2025/2026
Applications now open
NSFAS opens online varsity funding applications for 2025/2026
The scheme has significantly simplified the process and also allows applications to be done online.
“We have worked behind the scenes to strengthen and improve our internal systems and capacity, to be able to deal with the high volumes of applications that we are expecting…The application form for 2025/2026 has been reduced to just two pages, from eleven pages that last year’s application form had,” said acting CEO, Lerato Nage.
From this year onward, NSFAS will accept applications from anyone who qualifies to enter the post-school education system but cannot afford to finance their studies.
For those not able to access the internet, NSFAS has also partnered with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to provide easy access for learners to applying for funding.
The partnership will allow NSFAS to make use of the 15 NYDA branches nationwide, as well as the more than 50 Local Youth Offices (LYO) to accept applications. These local youth offices are situated within municipality offices in all nine provinces.
2025/2026 applications close on 30th November 2025/2026.
Head to the NSFAS website to apply online.
Nsfas Online Application : All students who will register at public universities/ TVET colleges for the first time in 2025/2026 and need financial support, can now apply directly to NSFAS for financial assistance. Applications will remain open between August and November .
Dear Applicants
We are pleased to inform you that our technical problem has been resolved and now all returning students can be able to process and submit their applications on the NSFAS website. We apologise for the technical error that made it impossible for you to submit your applications since Friday. Kindly note that while applications are open for all returning students, post-graduate students are not included in this provision. Thanks You.
To all current university/ TVET college students already funded by NSFAS
NSFAS is in a process to receive all your information and details from the university/college where you are currently enrolled. You will be automatically migrated to the student-centred model, and will be notified by SMS/post once NSFAS has received and registered your details.
To apply on the NSFAS website, you will be required to register first to create your personal online account, and then proceed to fill and submit the application form online. You may need about 30 minutes to complete this online process, and must also have scanned copies of the following required attachments:
- Matric Certificate
- Identity Document/Birth Certificate
- Last Academic Results
- Proof of parents income (If parent/s employed)
- Death Certificate/s (If parent/s deceased)
- Doctor’s Certificate (If permanently disabled)
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS – Nsfas Online Application
PLEASE NOTE:
In order for your application to be processed, please ensure that you complete all sections of the application form and attach all supporting documents. You must write your identity number on every page of all of your supporting documents in order for your application to be processed. NSFAS will not be able to process applications without an ID number.
| Please attach certified copies of the following documents: (All the certified copies must not be older than 3 months) Your documents can be certified at the South African Police Service or the South African Post Office.If you are under the age of 18 or if you are 18 and older and are STILL DEPENDENT on the household income of your parent or legal guardian, then this also applies to you. |
| Certified copy of your Identity Document. If you are younger than 16 years of age, and do not have a green bar-coded ID or smart ID card, you must submit a certified copy of your unabridged birth certificate. |
| * Certified copy of Identity Document of each household member including parents or legal guardian. |
| Certified copy of your latest academic transcript or exam results. If you are currently in Grade 12, you do not need to submit this. |
| If you have been exempted from paying school fees, please provide a letter from the school informing NSFAS that you have been exempted. |
| * Certified or official copy of recent payslip, letter of employment, not older than three months, for each parent, or the person who supports you, or your guardian or yourself if you are employed. This is for all types of employment or all forms of income for all members of the household. This includes any income received from SASSA grants, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), or any retirement, life, disability or other benefits paid as a lump sum or in monthly payments. |
| *If your parents or the person who supports you or your legal guardian are retired, please provide a copy of an official pension slip or bank statement showing pension payment. |
| * If your parents or the person who supports you or your legal guardian works as an informal trader, please provide an affidavit signed by them to confirm this employment. |
| If either of your parents is deceased, please provide a certified copy of the death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, please provide a certified copy of the divorce decree. |
| If either of your parents does not live at home, please provide an affidavit explaining the reasons. |
| If you are supported by someone who is not your parent or legal guardian, please provide an affidavit explaining the reasons. |
| * Certified copy of a SASSA letter if any of your family members are receiving a social grant and are also contributing to your household income. This also applies to your legal guardian. |
| * If you have indicated that a dependent in your household is a student, please provide proof of registration or acceptance at the TVET college or university for each dependent. |
| If you have a disability, please complete the relevant supporting documents (please see website for details) and submit them with your application form. |
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE CHECKLISTCLICK HERE TO CREATE YOUR MYNSFAS ACCOUNT AND APPLY
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