Applications will close on 07 January 2025/2026

National Student Financial Aid Scheme NSFAS is a public entity governed by the NSFAS Act that enables any student to apply for a loan or bursary. The primary objective is to turn NSFAS into an efficient provider of financial assistance to students from less fortunate families promotes access to higher and further education and training.

NSFAS Application for 2025/2026

NSFAS bursary provides assistance to students wanting to further their education by covering the costs of studies for certain qualifications at any public university or college in South Africa. This helps to reduce the burden of student debt for deserving students. Eligible Students must complete the NSFAS online application using the online application form portal in order to receive funds to assist with their tuition fee and cost of study.

The following bursary programs are offered by the NSFAS Application 2025/2026:

1. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which is responsible for the assessment practices and systems for vocational and continuing education and training. The TVET bursary covers full cost of college fees as indicated in the programme costs of the current academic year as well as travel and accommodation expenses.

2. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a programme to support teaching studies and are available to qualified university students to complete a teaching degree. Bursary recipients are then required to teach at public schools equivalent to the duration of bursary received. Please note that bursary holders cannot choose the school in which they would like to be placed. The bursary given will cover most of the recipient’s necessary expenses for costs of study. That may include cost of tuition fee, registration fees, accommodation including meals, book allowance and learning materials, and if possible a small allowance for monthly living expenses.

Two types of qualifications can be funded are:

• Undergraduate studies or a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (B Ed), specializing in Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6), Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10-12).
• Graduate studies or One-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Combined postgraduate qualifications are also acceptable such as combine specialization in the Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3) and Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6), or the Intermediate Phase and Senior Phase, or the Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10 –12).

3. Social Work Bursaries is provided by the Department of Social Development and is aimed to provide financial assistance to qualified students who wish to pursue studies in Bachelor of Social Work degree. Priorities are given to youth between the ages of 18 – 35 years in line with government’s goals of youth’s active participation in socio-economic activities. Social Worker bursary cover pays for cost for registration, tuition fee, book allowance, accommodation allowance, meals, and stipends for practical work experience as determined by the university.

4. Disability Bursary Programme provides financial support to applicants with disabilities who need financial assistance and possess good academic performance. Students eligible for this bursary must provide proof of disability and a quotation for assistive devices as required documents with the application form. An assistive device will be provided through applicant’s arrangement to the student disability unit at the university or TVET college where the applicant is going to study. This is to improve the quality of life of the applicant with the disability and reduce the costs of dependency and care as well as to enhance the prospect of employment and participation within the economy that is facilitated by a higher education qualification.

NSFAS bursary holders are required to work in South Africa for a specified period after graduation. Should the bursary holders are unable to find employment in South Africa within a 3 month period after their completion of studies, the applicant must apply in writing to NSFAS for a fair exit clause/buy-out clause to be considered.

To get updates on NSFAS activity, visit their official website.

Bursary Requirements and Financial Eligibility

• South African citizen (foreign students do not apply)
• Applicants who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree at a public university or TVET college with the necessary academic requirements
• Previous applicants who already have an application reference number should not apply
• NOT a grant recipient of any NSFAS funding for the current academic year (only unfunded students)

For postgraduate studies, only students of one of the following below field of study are accepted:

• B Tech – Architecture / Architectural Technology
• B Tech – Biokinetics, Biomedical Technology/Biotechnology
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
• Bachelor of Laws/LLB

For a TVET college bursary nsfas application:

• Registered at a public South African TVET college
• Registered for the National Certificate (vocational)
• Registered for certain Report 191 (NATED) programmes such as N1-N6 in engineering and N4-N6 in all other fields.

How to Apply and Online Application Details

NSFAS Account Funding Application:

1. Register online as a user on myNSFAS or re-register a myNSFAS account
   • Go to www.nsfas.org.za
   • Click on “myNSFAS” tab
   • Click on “Register”
   • Tick the box to allow NSFAS to verify your details
   • Then enter your ID number on the field as it is stated on your ID document
   • Type in your full names and surname as per your ID number
   • Type in your current email address
   • Confirm your email address
   • Type in your cellphone number
   • Create a password
   • Confirm password
   • Upload your ID Copy
   • Click on register
   • An OTP will be sent to the email and cell number provided (this OTP expires after 24 hours)
   • Type in the OTP and click submit
   • You have now completed your re-registration
2. Click the APPLY tab to be directed to the online application form.
3. Prepare certified copies of the following documents:
   • South African identity document/card or an unabridged birth certificate
   • IDs of parents and/or guardian (death certificate if applicable)
   • IDs of each person living in your household
   • Proof of Annual household income (not older than three months and combined household income if applicable)
   • Academic results
   • University registration documents
   • Travel and Accommodation documents (if applicable)
   • Proof of marital status (if applicable)
   • Download and complete the consent form and fill it in with signatures of all people whose incomes have been declared in the application.
   • If you have a disability, download and complete the Disability Annexure A

Manual Application Forms / Offline NSFAS Application:

• Visit one of the application centers where you will be given a hard copy of the application form to fill in.
• Use black ink to complete the nsfas application form and write within the blocks with CAPITAL letters.
• Do not cancel out any text and make sure to write clearly.
• Have parents/guardian sign the consent form.
• Have certified copies of the listed supporting documents and attach them to the application form by stapling before submission.
• Documents must be certified on the front side of the page and should be within 3 months.
• Sign the completed application form and submit it to one of the NYDA assistants.
• The application will be attached with a barcode. Wait for the small acknowledgment of the receipt card with the duplicated barcode.

NSFAS 2025/2026 Closing Date

NSFAS Applications are now open for 2025/2026. Apply for NSFAS Funding from November 1st, 2025/2026. Applications for 2025/2026 will close on 7th January, 2025/2026. 

Check NSFAS application status for 2025/2026

You can check your NSFAS application status by logging in to the myNSFAS portal at: https://my.nsfas.org.za/

Read more about accessing your myNSFAS portal

Contact Details

Post: Private Bag X1, Plumstead 7801, South Africa
Address: 10 Brodie Road, House Vincent 2nd Floor, Wynberg, Cape Town 7700
Tel: 0860 067 327
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Twitter: @myNSFAS

Frequently Asked Questions (FQA)

What if the student has forgotten their old username, password and cellphone number, How do they reset their profile?

Follow the below steps to reset your myNSFAS login details:

1. Go to: www.nsfas.org.za, click on ‘myNSFAS‘ and then select ‘forgot password‘.
2. Type in your ID number and choose what you require help with: password or username or both, then click ‘submit‘.
3. The username and the link to change your password will be sent via SMS and email.
4. Open the link to be redirected to the reset password page.
5. Reset your password by following the prompts on your screen.

Can I appeal application?

If your NSFAS application was rejected it may be possible for you to appeal application.

1. Log into to the MyNSFAS portal at https://my.nsfas.org.za/Application/selfservice.jsp
2. Select the Track Funding Progress option.
3. Check the application progress tabs.
4. If your application status is showing as unsuccessful, then the appeal application window is open and you can submit an appeal by selecting the Submit Appeal tab.
5. This will take you to the Application Appeal page, you will now be able to see the reason for the unsuccessful application status.
6. Provide a motivational letter clearing stating the reasons why you are appealing your application status.
7. Upload any certified supporting application documents to support your statement.
8. Click Submit Appeal.
9. You can then track the progress of your appeal via the MyNSFAS portal.