The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is really a South African government initiative aimed at furnishing financial guidance to students from low-income households. It can help them go after higher education at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. NSFAS presents funding that addresses tuition costs, accommodation, research materials, and living expenses.

** How to Apply for NSFAS

Create a MyNSFAS account:
Visit the official NSFAS website (www.nsfas.org.za).
Register by creating a MyNSFAS account with your email, ID number, and password.

Submit your application:
Fill out the online application form with personal and academic details.
You don't usually need to upload supporting documents - unless requested by Sassa.
Submit your application online before the closing date.

Wait for feedback:
NSFAS will review your application, and successful applicants will receive confirmation via SMS, email, or their MyNSFAS account.

NSFAS offers funding for a substantial amount of students every year. In recent times, NSFAS has supported above 700,000 students annually. Exclusively, in 2023, NSFAS funded around 1 million students, including those enrolled in both of those public universities and TVET colleges.

** Who is Eligible for NSFAS?

South African citizens.
Students with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
Recipients of Social Security Agency of South Africa (SASSA) grants.
Students with disabilities (household income threshold is R600,000 per year).
Students who have been accepted or are currently studying at a public university more info or TVET college.

** What Institutions Are Covered by NSFAS?

NSFAS funding applies to students enrolled at:

Public universities in South Africa, such as:
University of Cape Town (UCT)
University of Pretoria (UP)
Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
University of Johannesburg (UJ), etc.
TVET Colleges, which focus on technical and vocational education.

Private institutions are not covered by NSFAS.

The volume of students funded by NSFAS has steadily greater resulting from expanded eligibility standards and nsfas 2025 additional government funding aimed at improving upon entry to higher education for disadvantaged university students in South Africa.

** Does NSFAS Cover Student Accommodation?

Yes, NSFAS provides funding for student accommodation. The accommodation can be:

University-owned residences or
Private accommodation, if accredited by the institution and NSFAS.

NSFAS also covers living expenses and a transport allowance for students not staying in university accommodation. The exact coverage depends on the institution and its agreements with NSFAS.

** How many students does NSFAS provide funding for each year?

NSFAS provides funding for a significant number of students annually. In recent years, NSFAS has supported over 700,000 students each year. Specifically, in 2023, NSFAS funded approximately 1 million 2025 nsfas application students, including those enrolled in both public universities and TVET colleges.

The number of students funded by NSFAS has steadily increased due to expanded eligibility criteria and additional government funding aimed at improving access to higher education for disadvantaged students in South Africa.