Extended eligibility
Household earning R350 000 – R600 000? You now qualify for NSFAS — and there are 5 other options here too.
Strategy: apply for NSFAS first, then two or three company bursaries at the same time — those cost you nothing if you work for them afterwards. Only take a study loan if everything else fails; up to R500k at 10–15% interest is a serious commitment.
Check your eligibility
Combined, before tax, for everyone in your household.
What “missing middle” means
Your household earns too much for the old NSFAS limit of R350k, but nowhere near enough to pay R40k–R80k a year in fees. Since 2024 the threshold is R600k, which brought over 200 000 students into eligibility.