NSFAS Payment Schedule and Dates

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded organization that provides financial assistance to students in South Africa.

To cater to the diverse needs of students, NSFAS has established a system of allowances to support students in their academic pursuits.

NSFAS Allowances for 2025

University Allowances

The table below outlines the approved allowance caps for the 2025 academic year for university students:

  • New Books: R6,240.00 (Disability Metro and Non-Metro), R5,678.00 (Metro and Non-Metro)
  • Accommodation:
    • UNI Catered – Disability Metro: R69,633.00
    • UNI Catered – Disability Non-Metro: R60,273.00
    • UNI Catered – Metro: R65,993.00
    • UNI Catered – Non-Metro: R56,633.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Disability Metro: R52,000.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Disability Non-Metro: R42,640.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Metro: R52,000.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Non-Metro: R42,640.00
  • Living Allowance:
    • UNI Non-Catered – Disability Metro: R20,800.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Disability Non-Metro: R20,800.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Metro: R17,160.00
    • UNI Non-Catered – Non-Metro: R17,160.00
  • Travel Allowance:
    • UNI Disability Transport: R8,190.00
    • UNI Transport: R8,190.00
  • Personal Care Allowance: R3,167.00
  • Human Support: R52,000.00 (for students with disabilities)
  • Assistive Device: R54,080.00 (for students with disabilities)

Payment Dates and Timelines

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 Date to TVET Colleges

NSFAS released payment from 07th March 2025 to cover two months’ worth of allowances and this payment is based on valid registrations received.

Registration Upload Timelines

Institutional Responsibilities

Institutions are strongly encouraged to submit their registration data to avoid delayed payment of allowances. Institutions are required to adhere to the following timelines when submitting cancellations, blocks, and any instructions to NSFAS:

  • Instalment 1: Upfront payment (10-Jan-25)
  • Instalment 2: Upfront payment (05-Mar-25)
  • Instalment 3: Payment date (14-Mar-25), exclusions cut-off date (31-Mar-25)
  • Instalment 4: Payment date (16-Apr-25), exclusions cut-off date (30-Apr-25)
  • Instalment 5: Payment date (15-May-25), exclusions cut-off date (30-May-25)
  • Instalment 6: Payment date (13-Jun-25), exclusions cut-off date (30-Jun-25)
  • Instalment 7: Payment date (15-Jul-25), exclusions cut-off date (31-Jul-25)
  • Instalment 8: Payment date (15-Aug-25), exclusions cut-off date (29-Aug-25)
  • Instalment 9: Payment date (15-Sep-25), exclusions cut-off date (30-Sep-25)
  • Instalment 10: Payment date (15-Oct-25), exclusions cut-off date (31-Oct-25)
  • Instalment 11: Payment date (14-Nov-25), exclusions cut-off date (28-Nov-25)

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 any inquiries or concerns, you can contact NSFAS through their official website or WhatsApp number. You can also visit their office in person or send an email to their support team.

  • WhatsApp: +27 63 093 5671
  • Office Address: The Halyard, 4 Christiaan Barnard St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001
  • Email: info@nsfas.org.za