Before registering as a student, you need to determine whether you will have sufficient funds to finance your studies.
Costs involved in higher education include:
- Registration, enrollment & tuition fees;
- Textbooks, study material & stationery;
- Sports equipment (if applicable);
- Travel and transport;
- Meals;
- On- or off-campus accommodation and general living expenses.
- NSFAS exists to provide financial aid to eligible students at public TVET colleges and public universities;
- NSFAS identifies eligible students, provides bursaries and collects past student loan repayments to replenish the funds available for future generations of students; and,
- NSFAS supports access to, and success in, higher education and training for students from poor and working-class families who would otherwise not be able to afford to study.
NSFAS Applications for the 2025/2026 academic year have closed. 2025/2026 NSFAS application dates will be communicated on all NSFAS social media platforms and on www.nsfas.org.za
NSFAS students and prospective NSFAS students are required to open and regularly check their myNSFAS accounts for NSFAS funding related information.
To log into your myNSFAS go to www.nsfas.org.za, go to the myNSFAS tab and follow the log in process explained on screen.
What does the bursary cover?
- Accommodation
- Transport (up to 40 km from institution)
- Living allowance
- Book allowances
- Incidental/personal care allowance
- Registration
- Tuition
- Funded students with disabilities need to submit claims for Assistive Devices and Human Support directly to the university’s Student Support Services/Financial Aid office.
Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?
- All South African citizens
- All SASSA grant recipients
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
- Persons with a disability with a combined household income not more than R600 000 per annum
- Students who have started studying before 2018 whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum
Additional support:
NSFAS funded students who have a disability are further supported through an additional allowance.
Please contact the Disability Unit or Financial Aid Office at your university for assistance.
Below are the Additional Allowances;
- Medical Assessment: Limited to one assessment for the duration of the qualification and on request by the Disability Unit/ Student Support
- Assistive Devices: Limited to one Assistive Device for the duration of study.
- Human Support: To cover for the cost of a caregiver, guide dog, scribe, tutor or sign language interpreter
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