NSFAS

How to Apply for NSFAS 2025: Check Application Status

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was established in terms of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act (Act 56 of 1999). NSFAS provides financial aid to poor and working-class South African students to enable them to study at public universities and TVET colleges. The scheme aims to ensure equitable access to higher education for all eligible students.

On 16 December 2017, former president Jacob Zuma announced that the South African government would phase in fully subsidized free higher education and training for poor and working-class South African students over a period of five years. This led to the establishment of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Bursary Scheme.

NSFAS Vision, Mission, and Values

Vision

A model public entity operating within the public post-school education ecosystem that provides equitable access to financial and other resources for eligible students in an efficient, transparent, and professional student-centric manner.

Mission

To be an agile, responsive, and student-centric resource provider within the public higher education ecosystem.

Values

  • Social Justice – The fair distribution of resources to eligible students.
  • Integrity (Trust) – To demonstrate ethical conduct that must be beyond reproach and accepted as such by all stakeholders.
  • Excellence – To have a high-performance culture to meet the expectations of stakeholders with efficiency and impact.

NSFAS Background

NSFAS is a bursary scheme that provides fully subsidised free higher education and training for poor and working-class South African students. The funding enables students from poor and working-class families to undertake studies at public universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS ensures that disadvantaged students have equal opportunities to access higher education without financial barriers.

NSFAS 2025 Application Status Process

After submitting an NSFAS application, students can track their application status through the following stages:

Application Submitted

An application that has been completed and submitted by the student.

Application in Progress

The application is being reviewed to confirm:

  • Student type outcome (FTEN/Senior/Continuing)
  • SASSA indicator
  • Disability indicator
  • Application type outcome (Active/Automated/Hybrid)
  • DHA relationships (Mother/Father/Spouse/Guardian)

Verification

The application is verified for the following:

  • Unverified parents/spouse/guardian details
  • NSFAS Consent Form
  • NSFAS Disability Annexure
  • Application type outcome (Active/Automated/Hybrid)
  • NSFAS Orphan/Vulnerable Child Form

Verification statuses include:

  • Awaiting verification
  • Awaiting documents
  • Verification completed
  • Case closed (supporting documents not provided within 30 days)

Requesting Financial and Academic Data

Awaiting financial and academic data to confirm eligibility.

Assessing Financial Eligibility

NSFAS assesses the income threshold using:

  • SARS data
  • Exceptions data
  • Credit bureau data
  • Declared household income data

Awaiting Academic Results

Application awaiting academic results to assess eligibility.

Assessing Academic Eligibility

Evaluated based on:

  • Academic eligibility criteria
  • TVET and University N+ Rule

Duplicate

Application submitted for the same cycle as another application.

  • Cycle 1: Annual, Trimester 1, Semester 2
  • Cycle 2: Trimester 2, Semester 2
  • Cycle 3: Trimester 3

Provisionally Funded

Application has passed all evaluation stages and met the funding criteria, subject to registration and fund availability.

Registration Received

Application has passed all evaluation stages, met the funding criteria, and received registration from an institution.

Cancelled Application

Application cancelled by the student.

Rejected

Application did not meet NSFAS funding criteria and conditions.

Eligibility Requirements for NSFAS Funding

Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Be a South African citizen
  • Studying or intending to study toward an undergraduate qualification in 2024 at a public university or TVET College
  • Must NOT have completed any previous qualifications
  • Must fall into at least one of these categories:
    • SASSA grant recipient
    • Total combined household income NOT more than R350,000 per annum
    • Living with a disability with a combined household income NOT more than R600,000 per annum
    • Started studying before 2018 with a combined household income NOT more than R122,000 per annum

What Expenses Does NSFAS Cover?

University Students

  • Accommodation – Amount charged by the university or equivalent amount for private accommodation
  • Transport – Up to R7,500 per year (up to 40 km from institution)
  • Living allowance – Up to R15,000 per year
  • Book allowance – Up to R5,200 per year
  • Incidental/personal care allowance – Up to R2,900 per year (if in catered residence)

TVET Students

  • Urban accommodation – Up to R24,000 per year
  • Peri-urban accommodation – Up to R18,900 per year
  • Rural accommodation – Up to R15,750 per year
  • Transport – Up to R7,350 per year
  • Incidental/personal care allowance – Up to R2,900 per year

UNISA Students

  • Tuition
  • Books (dependent on the number of registered modules)
  • Personal care allowance

Students with Disabilities

  • Tuition
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Transport
  • Assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, hearing aids, adapted laptops)
  • Human support (e.g., carers, scribes, tutors, sign language interpreters)

How to Apply for NSFAS Funding

Step 1: Create a myNSFAS Account

  1. Go to the myNSFAS portal.
  2. Select “Create an Account.”
  3. Provide your ID number, name, email address, and contact number.
  4. Validate your account.

Step 2: Login and Complete Application

  1. Select “Login.”
  2. Complete all required fields.
  3. Upload supporting documents.

Step 3: Submit Application

  • After applying, qualified students will automatically be funded for the duration of their studies if they meet academic requirements.

Supporting Documents Required

  • South African ID document (green ID, smart ID card, temporary ID, or birth certificate)
  • Parents, guardians, or spouse ID documents (for non-SASSA applicants)
  • Proof of income (latest payslip, UIF letter, employment letter, retrenchment letter)
  • Students with disabilities – Disability Annexure A Form, proof of disability, assistive device quote
  • Vulnerable Child Declaration Form (for students recognised as vulnerable children)

Which Institutions Does NSFAS Accept?

Public Universities (25)

Includes:

  • University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, etc.

TVET Colleges (50)

Includes:

  • Boland College, Buffalo City College, Capricorn College, etc.

Latest NSFAS News

  • NSFAS students to receive bank cards
  • NSFAS allowances for 2024
  • NSFAS funding for TVET students

NSFAS Contact Information

Alternative Funding Sources

If you don’t qualify for NSFAS, you may still apply for other bursaries. Check out bursaries currently open for application.

This is a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of the NSFAS 2025 application process, eligibility, and funding.

Total NSFAS Funding Amount in South Africa

NSFAS Registration Closing Date

NSFAS Funding Duration for Students

Meaning of ‘No Funder Transfer’ on NSFAS

How to Upload Bank Details to NSFAS

NSFAS WhatsApp Contact Number

How NSFAS Pays College Students

Meaning of ‘Submitted’ on NSFAS Status

Understanding NSFAS Status for Funded Students

NSFAS Payment Schedule and Dates

NSFAS Payment Timeline for TVET Colleges

NSFAS Funding for UNISA Students

NSFAS Registration Deadline

NSFAS Allowance for Returning Students

Applying for NSFAS Allowances in 2025

NSFAS Book Allowance Amount

NSFAS Allowance Payment Dates for 2025

How to Apply for NSFAS Funding

NSFAS First Payment for 2025 College Students

NSFAS Late Application Opening Date

NSFAS Allowance Payment Dates for 2025

Using NSFAS to Pay Registration Fees

Meaning of ‘Closed’ NSFAS Status

Handling Multiple NSFAS Applications

NSFAS Allowance for TVET Colleges (Monthly Amount)

How to Check NSFAS Status via WhatsApp

List of Online Colleges Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS Payment Schedule for TVET Students in 2025

NSFAS Opening for Second Semester Applications

NSFAS Monthly Living Allowance Breakdown

NSFAS Loan & Grant Structure Explained

NSFAS Funding for Students Living at Home

How to Sign a Lease Agreement on NSFAS Portal

NSFAS Official Email Contact

Checking UNISA NSFAS Allowance Payments

Colleges & Universities Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS Allowance for College Students

NSFAS First Payment Date for 2025

Checking NSFAS Status for Returning Students

NSFAS Payment Timeline for Students

What to Do If NSFAS Defunds You

How to Get NSFAS Clearance

Signing NSFAS Lease Agreements Online

How NSFAS Loans Work in South Africa

Why NSFAS Does Not Fund Logistics Courses

NSFAS Living Allowance Breakdown

NSFAS Allowance Payment Schedule for UNISA in 2025

Meaning of ‘Requesting Financial & Academic Data’ on NSFAS

How to Calculate NSFAS Average Score

How to Know If NSFAS Will Fund You

Registering with NSFAS at UNISA

Editing Your NSFAS Application After Submission

Next Steps After ‘Registration Received’ on NSFAS Status

NSFAS Opening Date for 2025 University Applications

NSFAS Payout Dates for 2025

How to Check NSFAS Status Online