The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a vital organization that provides financial support to students from low-income households in South Africa.
By covering tuition fees and offering various allowances, NSFAS ensures that students can access higher education without financial burdens.
NSFAS Allowance Payment Dates for 2025
Allowance Caps for the 2025 Academic Year
The approved allowance caps for the 2025 academic year are outlined in the table below:
| Allowance Type | Catered – Disability Metro | Catered – Disability Non-Metro | Catered – Metro | Catered – Non-Metro | Non-Catered – Disability Metro | Non-Catered – Disability Non-Metro | Non-Catered – Metro | Non-Catered – Non-Metro |
| New Books | R6,240.00 | R6,240.00 | R5,678.00 | R5,678.00 | R6,240.00 | R6,240.00 | R5,678.00 | R5,678.00 |
| Accommodation | R69,633.00 | R60,273.00 | R65,993.00 | R56,633.00 | R52,000.00 | R42,640.00 | R52,000.00 | R42,640.00 |
| Living Allowance | – | – | – | – | R20,800.00 | R20,800.00 | R17,160.00 | R17,160.00 |
| Travel Allowance | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Personal Care Allowance | R3,167.00 | R3,167.00 | R3,167.00 | R3,167.00 | – | – | – | – |
| Human Support | R52,000.00 | R52,000.00 | – | – | R52,000.00 | R52,000.00 | – | – |
| Assistive Device | R54,080.00 | R54,080.00 | – | – | R54,080.00 | R54,080.00 | – | – |
Payment Dates for 2025
Second Upfront Payment
NSFAS released the second upfront payment to universities during the week of 3rd March 2025, allowing institutions to disburse March allowances to students by Friday, 07th March 2025.
Payment to TVET Colleges
NSFAS released payment from 07th March 2025 to cover two months’ worth of allowances, based on valid registrations received.
Payment Schedule
| Instalment Number | Exclusions Cut-Off Date | Payment Date | Academic Cycle |
| 1 | 10-Jan-25 | Upfront | Accommodation, Books & Tuition |
| 2 | 05-Mar-25 | Upfront | Accommodation, Books & Tuition |
| 3 | 14-Mar-25 | 31-Mar-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 4 | 16-Apr-25 | 30-Apr-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 5 | 15-May-25 | 30-May-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 6 | 13-Jun-25 | 30-Jun-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 7 | 15-Jul-25 | 31-Jul-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 8 | 15-Aug-25 | 29-Aug-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 9 | 15-Sep-25 | 30-Sep-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 10 | 15-Oct-25 | 31-Oct-25 | Annual and Semester |
| 11 | 14-Nov-25 | 28-Nov-25 | Annual and Semester |
Urgent Call for Submission of Appeal Documents
NSFAS calls upon all students who lodged an appeal for the 2025 academic year to urgently submit required documents.
A student must submit an appeal within 30 days of receiving their application results.
NSFAS Contact
For more information or to apply for NSFAS funding, please contact:
- Website
- Phone: 0800 020 611
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za