The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administers the government bursary scheme that funds students from low-income households at public universities and TVET colleges. It is the single largest source of student funding in South Africa.
Under the current scheme it is a bursary rather than a loan, provided you meet the academic requirements — which makes the academic progression condition the most important obligation attached to it.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
The core eligibility criteria are as follows.
- Be a South African citizen with a valid ID, or hold permanent residence in a category NSFAS recognises
- Be registered, or intending to register, at a public university or public TVET college — private institutions are not funded
- Come from a household with a combined annual income at or below the threshold NSFAS applies
- A higher threshold applies to students with disabilities
- Applicants who receive SASSA grants qualify automatically on the financial criterion
- Meet the academic eligibility and progression requirements
- Apply within the annual application window, which closes well before the academic year
Income and Affordability Requirements
The means test is the substantive requirement. NSFAS applies a combined annual household income threshold, with a higher one for students with disabilities. The figures are set by the Department of Higher Education and Training and are revised, so confirm the current thresholds with NSFAS rather than relying on a number quoted elsewhere.
Household income means the combined income of the household, not only one parent’s salary. Where a parent is deceased, unemployed, self-employed or untraceable, affidavits and supporting evidence are required. This is where the majority of applications stall, and it is entirely within your control to prepare in advance.
If you receive a SASSA grant, you qualify on the financial criterion automatically, which simplifies the means test considerably.
Academic progression is the ongoing condition. Continuing students must pass a required proportion of their modules to keep funding. Falling below it can end the funding, and recovering afterwards is difficult. Confirm the current requirement with your institution’s financial aid office.
Credit and Financial Requirements
What NSFAS covers at public universities typically includes tuition and registration, an accommodation or transport allowance, a learning materials allowance and a living allowance, subject to the rules and caps for the year. TVET funding is structured differently, with its own allowances. Confirm current figures with NSFAS.
Accommodation funding is capped, and the cap does not always match what accredited accommodation actually costs in a given city. Budget for a possible shortfall rather than assuming full coverage.
It is a bursary, not a loan, under the current scheme, provided the academic requirements are met. Students funded under earlier loan-based arrangements may still carry loan obligations, which is a separate matter to take up with NSFAS directly.
The N+ rule limits how long you are funded. Funding is available for the minimum duration of a qualification plus a limited number of additional years. Changing qualifications, repeating years or having prior funded study all count against it.
Bursary applications are always free. No legitimate funder charges an application fee, a “processing” fee or a fee to release funding. Anyone asking for payment to secure funding is defrauding you. Apply only through the funder’s own official channel, and never share your login details with anyone.
NSFAS communicates only through its official channels. Never share your myNSFAS login details, and be cautious of anyone offering to “fast-track” an application or resolve a payment problem for a fee.
Documents and Verification Required
Applications are made online through the myNSFAS portal, and incomplete applications are the commonest cause of rejection.
- A valid South African ID or birth certificate
- Certified copies of the IDs of parents, guardians or spouse, and of household members with income
- Proof of household income for everyone in the household who earns
- An affidavit where a parent is unemployed, self-employed or untraceable
- Death certificates where a parent is deceased
- For students with disabilities: the completed disability annexure with medical confirmation
- For applicants who are orphans, wards of the state or in other special circumstances: the relevant NSFAS annexure
- A valid email address and cellphone number, since all communication runs through them
How to Apply and Improve Approval Readiness
Apply as early in the window as you can. Late applications are not considered, and the window closes well before the academic year begins.
Apply for institutional, SETA and corporate bursaries in parallel. NSFAS funds a very large number of students, but not everyone qualifies, and an applicant with no fallback is in a difficult position in January.
- Confirm the current household income thresholds directly with NSFAS
- Apply within the window — late applications are not considered
- Gather income proof and affidavits before the window opens
- Keep your email address and cellphone number current
- Track your application status on the myNSFAS portal yourself
- Understand the N+ rule before changing qualifications
- Never share your myNSFAS login details or pay anyone to apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for NSFAS?
South African citizens from households below the applicable combined annual income threshold, registered at a public university or TVET college. SASSA grant recipients qualify automatically on the financial criterion.
Does NSFAS fund private colleges?
No. It funds students at public universities and public TVET colleges only.
Do I have to repay NSFAS?
Under the current bursary scheme, no, provided the academic requirements are met. Students funded under earlier loan arrangements may have separate obligations.
What happens if I fail?
Continued funding depends on meeting the academic progression requirement. Falling below it can end funding, so confirm the current requirement with your financial aid office.
Income thresholds, allowances, academic progression rules and application dates are set by NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education and Training and are revised annually. Confirm current requirements directly with NSFAS.