National Student Financial Aid Scheme
NSFAS Funding
National
Full cost of study
SA citizens
Apply online
At a glance
- Covers
- Tuition, accommodation, transport, food, books
- Income limit
- R350,000 a year
- With disability
- R600,000 a year
- Where
- Public universities and TVET colleges
- Application
- my.nsfas.org.za
- SASSA recipients
- Pass the income test
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds students from poor and working-class households at public universities and TVET colleges. For university students it is a bursary, so you do not pay it back if you meet the academic rules.
Who qualifies
- South African citizen
- Combined household income of R350,000 a year or less (R600,000 for students with a disability)
- Studying or planning to study at a public university or TVET college
- SASSA grant recipients (except SRD) qualify on income automatically
Who does not qualify
- Household income above the limit
- Studying at a private college
- Already holding a qualification at the same level, in most cases
Documents you need
- Your ID document
- ID copies of your parents, guardian or spouse
- Proof of household income, if not a SASSA grant recipient
- Disability form, if it applies to you
How to apply
- Create a myNSFAS account on my.nsfas.org.za with your ID, email and cellphone number.
- Click "Apply" and answer every question.
- Upload the documents asked for.
- Submit and track your status on the myNSFAS portal.
Not sure if you qualify?
Use our NSFAS eligibility checker before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay NSFAS back?
University students get a bursary that does not have to be repaid if they meet the academic progress rules.
When do NSFAS applications open?
Applications usually open in the last months of the year for study the following year. Watch the official NSFAS website for dates.