NSFAS

Who can apply

• The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides government-funded financial assistance to eligible South African students who cannot afford the cost of studying at public universities and TVET colleges.
• NSFAS funding can help cover registration, tuition fees, learning materials, accommodation or transport, living expenses and personal care, depending on the student’s institution, circumstances and approved funding package.
• If you are planning to study at a public university or TVET college, this guide explains everything you need to know about NSFAS funding, including who qualifies, what NSFAS pays for, how to apply, supporting documents, myNSFAS, application status, appeals and allowances.
• NSFAS Applications have opened for the 2027 academic year! Be sure to apply before the closing date of 31 October 2026! Read below how to apply and all other essential information.
• Receiving NSFAS funding does not mean that funding continues indefinitely regardless of academic performance.
• Students must comply with the applicable academic progression requirements.
• If you are already receiving NSFAS funding, make sure you understand your institution’s academic requirements and the NSFAS progression rules that apply to your qualification.

Documents you will need

• NSFAS may request supporting documentation depending on your circumstances, as listed below.
• Upload clear and valid documents through your myNSFAS account.
• CircumstanceDocument requiredAll applicantsSouth African ID or birth certificate (Smart ID card: both sides)Your parent, legal guardian or spouse earns an incomePayslips for the last three months, or a UIF statement, or an affidavit where the income is informalSomeone in the household receives a SASSA grantN/A – social grants are verified with SASSA automaticallyParent or guardian has diedDeath certificate for each deceased parent or guardianYour parents are divorced or separatedDivorce decree, or the settlement agreement showing maintenanceYou are married, or a spouse signs for youMarriage certificate, plus your spouse’s IDYou live with a legal guardianProof of legal guardianship issued by a courtA parent or legal guardian was retrenchedRetrenchment letter from the employer — also accepted as supporting evidence in an appeal
• The documents required can differ depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
• South African ID document
• Parent, guardian or spouse information
• Proof of household income where required
• NSFAS Consent Form
• NSFAS Declaration Form, where applicable
• Disability Annexure Form, where applicable
• Medical documentation for applicants living with disabilities
• Orphan or Vulnerable Child Declaration Form, where applicable
• Death certificate
• Divorce decree
• Retrenchment letter
• Proof of legal guardianship
• Marriage certificate
• Other documents requested during an appeal or assessment
• NSFAS determines the documents required based on the applicant’s circumstances. Your myNSFAS account will indicate if additional documents are required.
• Applicants have 30 days to submit any missing documents that were not uploaded during their initial application.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to NSFAS - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

NSFAS funding for 2027: applications, eligibility, allowances and how to apply

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government scheme that gives money to eligible South African students who cannot afford to study at public universities and TVET colleges.

NSFAS funding can help pay for registration, tuition, learning materials, accommodation or transport, living costs and personal care. What you get depends on your institution, your circumstances and your approved funding package.

If you plan to study at a public university or TVET college, this guide explains who qualifies, what NSFAS pays for, how to apply, which documents you need, how to use myNSFAS, how to check your status, how to appeal and what allowances are available.

NSFAS applications are now open for the 2027 academic year. Apply before the closing date of 31 October 2026. The sections below explain how to apply and what else you need to know.

What is NSFAS?

NSFAS is a South African government entity set up under the NSFAS Act. It gives financial help to students from poor and working-class households.

NSFAS funding is meant for eligible students who study at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

The scheme helps remove money problems that could stop students from getting into and finishing higher education.

NSFAS 2027 applications

NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year are open now. They opened on 18 September 2026 and close on 31 October 2026.

Apply as early as you can, because late applications cannot be accepted. It is free to apply for NSFAS funding.

You can apply for NSFAS funding through the official NSFAS website.

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?

The NSFAS bursary is generally open to South African citizens and permanent residents who meet the financial and academic requirements.

The current official financial limits are:

• Gross combined household income of R350,000 or less per year (this means income before tax and other deductions).
• For applicants living with a disability, gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year (this means income before tax and other deductions).
• SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for the financial assessment, but they must still meet the other NSFAS requirements.
• Applicants must study or plan to study at an eligible public university or TVET college.
• The qualification must meet NSFAS and applicable DHET requirements.

Your household income is not the only thing NSFAS looks at. You must also meet the academic, registration and qualification requirements.

If you do not meet all the NSFAS criteria, you can still look for other bursaries to pay for your studies. You can find bursaries that are open for application on BursaryZA.

Who does not qualify for NSFAS?

In general, you cannot get NSFAS funding if you fall into any of these groups:

• You are studying at a private higher education institution.
• You have already received 100% study funding from another source.
• You have already completed an undergraduate qualification and want to study for a second undergraduate qualification.
• You have completed a certificate qualification and want to study for another certificate qualification.
• You are enrolled for a qualification that is not approved by the relevant authorities.
• You do not meet the NSFAS financial eligibility requirements.

Always check the latest NSFAS eligibility rules for the academic year you plan to study in.

What does NSFAS pay for?

The NSFAS bursary can cover several costs of studying at a public university or TVET college.

Depending on your institution and approved funding package, NSFAS may fund:

Registration and tuition

NSFAS covers approved registration and tuition costs for eligible funded students.

The amounts are paid to the institution under NSFAS funding arrangements.

Learning materials

Funding may be given towards approved learning materials that you need for your studies.

Accommodation

Eligible students who need somewhere to stay may get funding for approved university residence or qualifying accommodation.

NSFAS has also set up an accreditation and registration system for student accommodation providers.

Use approved accommodation and check your NSFAS funding information before you sign any accommodation agreement.

Transport

Students who live within the applicable distance from their institution may qualify for a transport allowance instead of accommodation funding.

Living allowance

Eligible students may get a living allowance to help with everyday costs of studying.

Personal care allowance

A personal care allowance may apply to eligible students, depending on their funding and accommodation situation.

Important: NSFAS allowance amounts can change under the latest DHET and NSFAS funding guidelines. Check your myNSFAS account and the latest official NSFAS information for the amounts that apply to your academic year.

Important: Not every student gets every allowance. Funding depends on your institution, qualification, accommodation arrangements and the applicable NSFAS rules.

NSFAS allowances

NSFAS allowances are not the same for every student.

The amount and type of allowance you get can depend on:

• Whether you attend a university or a TVET college
• Whether you live in university accommodation
• Whether you live in approved private accommodation
• How far you live from the institution
• Your institution’s funding arrangements
• Your approved NSFAS funding package

Do not rely on allowance figures from earlier years. Check your myNSFAS account for your current funding and allowance information.

NSFAS university funding

Students at public universities may get funding for approved:

• Tuition fees
• Registration
• Learning materials
• Accommodation
• Living expenses
• Transport
• Personal care, where applicable

The exact allowances depend on your circumstances and the annual NSFAS funding guidelines that apply.

NSFAS TVET college funding

NSFAS also gives financial help to eligible students at public TVET colleges.

TVET students may qualify for funding towards:

• Tuition and registration
• Learning materials
• Accommodation
• Transport
• Personal care and other approved allowances

NSFAS has also confirmed that funded TVET students can receive allowances into a bank account of their choice, under the applicable NSFAS process.

How to apply for NSFAS

When the application period is open, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the NSFAS website

Go to the official NSFAS website and open the myNSFAS portal.

You can apply through the NSFAS website or the official NSFAS mobile app.

Step 2: Create a myNSFAS profile

If you do not have an account yet, create a profile with your personal details.

Make sure your cellphone number and email address are correct and that you can access them.

Step 3: Complete your application

Log into your myNSFAS account and fill in every required section of the application.

Give accurate information about your personal situation, your household and the studies you plan to do.

Step 4: Upload supporting documents

NSFAS may ask for supporting documents, depending on your circumstances. They are listed below.

Upload clear, valid documents through your myNSFAS account.

Step 5: Submit your application

Check the information carefully before you submit your application.

Saving the application does not mean it has been submitted. Make sure you submit it.

Step 6: Track your application

After you submit, log into myNSFAS often to check for:

• Application updates
• Requests for additional documents
• Funding decisions
• Registration or funding actions
• Appeal information

While NSFAS is still assessing applications, students who must upload specific documents will be told through their portal. Once a notice is issued, you have 30 days to upload the required documents.

Important: you can save your application and come back to finish it before you submit.

NSFAS supporting documents

The documents you need can be different depending on your circumstances.

NSFAS currently lists documents and forms that may include:

Other documents may be needed in some situations, including:

NSFAS decides which documents you need based on your circumstances. Your myNSFAS account will show if more documents are needed.

You have 30 days to send any missing documents that you did not upload with your first application.

NSFAS Consent Form

NSFAS uses the consent process to check the information given by applicants and their parents, guardians or spouses. It checks this against independent third-party sources, including SARS and the Department of Home Affairs.

Fill in the consent documents carefully and make sure the information is correct.

The form must be signed by the applicant and by every parent, legal guardian or spouse whose details are on the application. Complete the form in CAPITAL LETTERS only, in black ink, and sign it in pen. Electronic signatures are not allowed. Do not use correction fluid (tipex).

This applies to all applicants.

Get the NSFAS consent form from the official NSFAS website.

NSFAS Declaration Form

Applicants who are 34 years old or younger may need to send the NSFAS Declaration Form. It helps verify parent or guardian information.

Use the latest form that NSFAS supplies for the relevant application cycle.

This only applies to applicants aged 34 or younger.

Get the NSFAS declaration form from the official NSFAS website.

NSFAS for students living with disabilities

Students living with disabilities may qualify for the higher household income limit of R600,000 per year.

You may also need to send a completed Disability Annexure Form and supporting medical documentation.

Make sure you send the required forms and medical documents in the format NSFAS asks for.

This only applies to applicants with disabilities.

Get the NSFAS disability form from the official NSFAS website.

What does NSFAS consider a disability?

NSFAS for orphans and vulnerable children

This form is for applicants under 18 who are orphans, or who are vulnerable children. A vulnerable child is someone who has been exposed to abuse, neglect, exploitation, risk of violence or substance abuse.

It replaces parent or guardian income details where no parent or guardian can sign.

Get the NSFAS orphan or vulnerable child form from the official NSFAS website.

How to check your NSFAS status

You can check your NSFAS application and funding information through your myNSFAS account.

Log in and look for the section about your funding or application progress.

NSFAS uses the portal to send important messages about your application. These include requests for missing documents and funding decisions.

Track funding progress

The NSFAS portal lets you follow how your application is moving and see whether you need to act.

Possible stages include:

• Application submitted
• Under review
• Awaiting information or documentation
• Funding decision
• Approved
• Unsuccessful
• Appeal

The exact wording on screen can change depending on the stage of your application.

What if my NSFAS application is rejected?

If your application is unsuccessful, first log into your myNSFAS account and read the reason given.

If you think NSFAS made a wrong decision and you are eligible to appeal, you can submit an appeal through the official NSFAS process.

NSFAS currently says that eligible rejected applicants may appeal within 30 days of getting their results.

Make sure you include any supporting documents that your appeal needs.

NSFAS appeals

Before you submit an appeal:

1. Log into your myNSFAS account.
2. Check your application outcome.
3. Read the reason for rejection carefully.
4. Decide whether you meet the requirements to appeal.
5. Gather supporting documents.
6. Submit the appeal through the NSFAS portal.
7. Watch your account for the appeal outcome.

An appeal does not guarantee funding.

Note: you can only appeal if you meet the appeal requirements. First read the rejection reason on myNSFAS and check whether your situation qualifies for an appeal.

NSFAS funding for returning students

Students who have already been approved for NSFAS funding usually do not need to submit a completely new application every year.

NSFAS funding depends on academic progress and the applicable N+ rule. The N is the minimum number of years needed to finish a qualification. The extra funding period follows NSFAS rules.

The standard university N+ rule gives an extra funding period. Students with disabilities may get an extra period under the N+2 rule. Funding also depends on your academic progress and the NSFAS requirements.

NSFAS academic requirements

Getting NSFAS funding does not mean it continues forever, whatever your academic results.

You must meet the academic progression requirements that apply to you.

If you already get NSFAS funding, make sure you understand your institution’s academic requirements and the NSFAS progression rules for your qualification.

Does NSFAS fund private colleges or universities?

No.

The NSFAS bursary is for eligible students at approved public universities and TVET colleges.

Does NSFAS fund postgraduate studies?

The NSFAS bursary does not fund postgraduate qualifications. It is for approved undergraduate qualifications at eligible public universities and TVET colleges.

This includes undergraduate degrees, diplomas, higher certificates and approved TVET qualifications, subject to the NSFAS funding requirements that apply.

Students looking for postgraduate funding may qualify for the NSFAS student loan. It has its own eligibility rules and must be repaid. According to current NSFAS information, postgraduate loan applicants may qualify with a gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year, subject to the other requirements.

Check the latest NSFAS student loan requirements before you apply.

NSFAS student loan

NSFAS also offers a student loan for eligible students whose income is above the NSFAS bursary limit but who meet the requirements for the Missing-Middle Loan Scheme.

For non-SASSA undergraduate applicants, the household income requirement is generally between R350,000 and R600,000 per year.

The NSFAS student loan can also fund eligible postgraduate studies. The income limit and other requirements depend on your circumstances.

Unlike the NSFAS bursary, a student loan must be repaid. If you qualify for a loan, you must accept the loan terms and sign a loan agreement.

Check the latest NSFAS student loan requirements before you apply, because they can be different from the NSFAS bursary rules.

NSFAS accommodation

Accommodation is an important part of NSFAS funding.

NSFAS has an approved accommodation system. Accommodation providers can register their properties there for NSFAS beneficiaries to consider.

Check whether your accommodation is approved or recognised under the NSFAS accommodation rules before you sign an agreement.

NSFAS warns students about accommodation fraud. It says beneficiaries should not be charged fees just to get NSFAS-funded accommodation.

Important NSFAS scam warning

Be careful who you share your personal information with.

NSFAS has warned students to protect their:

• Password
• ID number
• Banking information
• One-time PINs
• myNSFAS login details

NSFAS officials will never ask you for your password.

Do not pay anyone who promises to approve your NSFAS application or speed up your funding.

Use the official NSFAS website and the myNSFAS portal when you submit applications or documents.

NSFAS contact details

If you need help with your NSFAS application or funding, contact NSFAS directly.

NSFAS lists a toll-free line, an email address, a WhatsApp number and a USSD code on its official website. Find them there.

For payment and balance questions, NSFAS lists a separate collections email address on its official website.

To report fraud or corruption:

NSFAS lists a separate ethics and fraud email address on its official website.

Always check contact information on the official NSFAS website before you share personal details.

Frequently asked questions about NSFAS

Is NSFAS funding free?

The NSFAS bursary is financial aid, not a normal student loan. Eligible students must keep meeting the funding and academic requirements.

NSFAS also has a separate student loan scheme, which must be repaid.

How much must my household earn to qualify for NSFAS?

The current NSFAS bursary income limit is generally R350,000 or less per year, or R600,000 or less for people living with disabilities.

SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for the financial assessment, but other requirements still apply.

Can I apply for NSFAS if I am already studying?

Yes. If you already study at an eligible public university or TVET college, you may apply if you meet the NSFAS requirements and have not already been funded for those studies.

Can SASSA beneficiaries apply for NSFAS?

Yes. NSFAS says SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for the financial assessment, but other NSFAS requirements still apply.

Can I apply for NSFAS if I study at a private college?

No. The NSFAS bursary is for eligible students at approved public universities and TVET colleges.

How do I check my NSFAS application?

Log into your myNSFAS account and use the funding or application tracking features to see your current status and any actions you still need to take.

Can I appeal if NSFAS rejects my application?

Eligible applicants can appeal through myNSFAS. NSFAS currently says eligible rejected applicants should appeal within 30 days of getting their results.

Do I need to apply again every year?

Students who continue to get NSFAS funding usually do not need to send a new application every year. Continued funding depends on academic progress and the funding requirements that apply.

When will NSFAS 2027 applications close?

The last day to apply for 2027 NSFAS funding is 31 October 2026.

For NSFAS applicants

Applying for NSFAS takes more than filling in an online form. Make sure your personal and household information is accurate, keep copies of the documents you send and check your myNSFAS account often.

Most importantly, do not rely on unofficial NSFAS dates, allowance amounts or social media posts. NSFAS rules and funding amounts can change, so use the latest information NSFAS publishes for the academic year you plan to study.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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