The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is South Africa's largest student funding programme. In 2025/2026, it funded over 1 million students at universities and TVET colleges. If your household earns below R350,000 per year, you may qualify.
Who Qualifies for NSFAS?
You qualify if:
- You are a South African citizen
- Your combined household income is R350,000 or less per year
- You are enrolled (or planning to enrol) at a public university or TVET college
- You have not previously completed a qualification funded by NSFAS
SASSA grant recipients are automatically NSFAS-eligible.
If you are a child of a SASSA social grant recipient, you qualify automatically — you don't need to prove income.
What Does NSFAS Cover?
NSFAS pays for:
- Tuition fees — paid directly to your institution
- Accommodation — if you live in approved residences
- Living allowance — a monthly stipend for food, transport, and personal costs
- Books and learning materials allowance
The exact amounts vary by institution and study level.
NSFAS 2026 Application Steps
1. Register on the myNSFAS portal
Go to www.nsfas.org.za and create an account using your ID number.
2. Complete the online application
You'll need:
- Your South African ID number
- Parent/guardian ID numbers and income information
- Your matric results or academic record
- Proof of household income (payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed)
3. Submit and track your application
After submitting, you can track your status on the myNSFAS portal. Processing can take 4–8 weeks.
4. Upload any requested documents
NSFAS may ask for additional documents. Check your portal regularly and respond quickly to avoid delays.
NSFAS Application Deadlines 2026
Applications typically open in September and close in January of the following year. For 2026 enrolment:
- Applications opened: September 2025
- Closing date: January 2026
- Late applications: Not accepted (apply early!)
Missing the deadline means waiting a full year. Apply as soon as applications open, even if you don't have your final matric results yet — you can update them later.
What Happens After You Apply?
- Awaiting assessment — NSFAS verifies your income and eligibility
- Provisionally funded — you've qualified, but your institution must confirm your registration
- Funded — funding confirmed, payments begin
- Unsuccessful — you can appeal (see below)
What to Do If Your Application is Rejected
- Check the reason — log into myNSFAS to see the rejection reason
- Lodge an appeal — NSFAS has a formal appeals process
- Gather supporting documents — e.g., if income was incorrectly assessed, get payslips or bank statements
- Contact your institution's financial aid office — they can help with the appeal process
NSFAS Calculator
Not sure if you qualify? Use our NSFAS calculator to check your eligibility and estimate your allowances.
Check your NSFAS eligibility and estimate your allowances in 2 minutes.
Other Funding Options If NSFAS Doesn't Apply
- Bursaries — offered by private companies, government departments, and NGOs
- University financial aid — most universities have their own bursary funds
- Student loans — available through banks (usually require a parent guarantor)
- Funza Lushaka — for students wanting to become teachers
Search thousands of bursaries, learnerships, and funding opportunities.
