What NSFAS is
NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. It is run by the Department of Higher Education and Training and is the largest single source of student funding in the country. Its purpose is to make tertiary education accessible to students whose families cannot afford the full cost of studying. Crucially, for students who qualify under the income rules, NSFAS funding is treated as a bursary rather than a loan - you do not repay it, provided you continue to meet the academic and eligibility requirements.
Who qualifies
There are three broad requirements. First, you must be a South African citizen. Second, you must be studying, or planning to study, at a public university or a public TVET college - NSFAS does not fund private institutions. Third, your combined household income must fall under the published threshold. Students who receive certain SASSA social grants are automatically deemed to meet the financial requirement, and a separate, higher income threshold applies to students with disabilities. Because the exact income thresholds are reviewed each year, confirm the current figures on the official NSFAS website before assuming you do or do not qualify.
What it covers
NSFAS funding usually covers registration and tuition fees paid directly to your institution, plus a set of allowances: accommodation or transport, learning materials, and a personal-care or living allowance. The amounts and annual caps are set each year and can change, so treat any specific rand figure you read as a guide rather than a guarantee and verify the current allowances on the official site. For students in university residences or accredited private accommodation, the accommodation allowance is typically paid according to the institution’s arrangements.
NSFAS versus a private bursary
It helps to understand how NSFAS differs from the bursaries you will find elsewhere on this site. NSFAS is one government scheme, focused on financial need and limited to public institutions. A bursary, by contrast, can come from a company, a SETA, a foundation, or a university, and may be awarded on merit, tied to a specific field of study, or attached to a work-back agreement where you work for the funder after graduating. Many students apply for both: NSFAS for the bulk of their costs, and a private bursary for a specific field or to cover gaps. You generally cannot use two sources to fund the exact same cost, so read each funder’s terms carefully.
How to apply
NSFAS applications are made online through the official NSFAS portal, and the application window typically opens in the second half of the year for the following academic year. You will need your ID, your parents’ or guardians’ details and income information, and your academic results. Apply only through the official NSFAS website - never through a third party charging a fee, as NSFAS applications are free. While you wait, it is worth lining up bursaries and learnerships as a backup, and using our eligibility matcher to find funding that fits your field and province.
Frequently asked questions
What is NSFAS?
NSFAS is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, a South African government programme that funds tuition and living costs for students from low-income households at public universities and TVET colleges. It is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training. For qualifying students it works as a bursary rather than a loan, meaning it does not have to be repaid as long as eligibility rules are met.
Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?
You generally qualify if you are a South African citizen, you are studying or intend to study at a public university or TVET college, and your combined household income falls under the published threshold. Students who receive certain social grants are automatically considered to meet the financial requirement. A separate, higher income threshold applies to students with disabilities.
What does NSFAS cover?
NSFAS typically covers registration and tuition fees, an allowance for accommodation or transport, a learning-material allowance, and a personal-care or living allowance, with the exact amounts and caps set each year. Allowances and caps change annually, so always confirm the current figures on the official NSFAS website before you budget around them.
How is NSFAS different from a bursary?
NSFAS is a single government scheme aimed at students from low-income households and tied to public institutions, whereas a bursary can come from a company, a SETA, a foundation, or a university and may be merit-based, field-specific, or tied to a work-back agreement. You can often hold a private bursary alongside or instead of NSFAS, but you usually cannot double-fund the same costs.