NSFAS 2023 Online Application Now Open
Do you want to study at a public university or TVET institution and come from a household with an annual income of R350 000 or less? Then STOP and read the following:
You are eligible for a government bursary under the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
What exactly is NSFAS?
NSFAS is a government institution within the Department of Higher Education and Training that was founded by the NSFAS Act (Act 56 of 1999) to give financial assistance to disadvantaged students who seek to continue their studies at public universities or TVET colleges.
What is the bursary for?
The amounts mentioned for lodging, living allowance, transportation, and learning materials must be consistent with the most recent DHET rules.
UNIVERSITY sAccommodation
According to the university’s real costs (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
Transport (up to 40 km from institution) R7 500 per year
R15, 000 annual living allowance
Allowances for books R5200 per year
For students living in catered residences, the incidental/personal care allowance is R2900 per year.
TVET
Accommodation in an urban area R24,000 per annum
Accommodation in an peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
Accommodation in an rural area R15,750 per annum
Transport (up to 40 km from institution) R7,350 per annum
Transport R7000 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum
Who is eligible for NSFAS funding?
Every South African citizen
All SASSA grantees are eligible for financing.
Applicants with a combined family income of less than R350 000 per year
Individual having a disability: The combined household income cannot exceed R600,000 per year.
Students who began their studies before 2018 and have a family income of less than R122 000 per year.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Students who have previously achieved a qualification.
Students whose total home income exceeds R350 000 per year.
Students that have already applied, qualified, and been awarded support. They will be supported automatically for the remainder of their study if they pass their courses and fulfill the academic standards.
Disability Assistance
The NSFAS Disability Bursary Program assists students with impairments who require financial assistance and have the potential to complete their academic subjects. It is meant to offer students with the required supplementary training and assistance to help them overcome learning difficulties caused by impairments.
Assistance provided:
Assistive Devices
Meals
Tuition
Transport
Human Support
Accommodation
Application process for students with disabilities
If you have a disability, you must complete Annexures A and B and attach proof of disability and quotation for assistive devices with the application form.
Download Disability Annexure A
Download Human Support Claim Form
Assistive device funding is subject to the same approval procedure as financial aid.
If you are successful in your financial aid application and have received notification of the final approval amount from NSFAS, you may arrange to purchase your assistive equipment through your university or TVET college’s student disabilities section. The assistive equipment can be purchased on your behalf by the university or TVET college.
TVET College Funding
Technical and Vocational Education and Training
Qualification Criteria
Only South African citizens are eligible for this bursary scheme;
A student must be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any of the fifty (50) public TVET Colleges in South Africa;
Must be in need of financial assistance (NSFAS will determine whether or not a student meets the financial eligibility criteria);
Returning students must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance (academically deserving) in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher);
Must not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded; and
Applicants will qualify if they fall within the maximum threshold of up to R350,000 of combined gross family income per annum and are admitted/received a firm offer for enrolment in a College.
Where to apply for TVET College funding?
You can apply through:
TVET college bursary offices
Online
NSFAS head office
For NSFAS qualifying students we pay for:
Registration & Tuition Fees
Personal Care Allowance
Transport Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
