NSFAS Funding 2027: Applications, Eligibility, Allowances & How to Apply

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides government-funded financial assistance to eligible South African students who cannot afford the cost of studying at public universities and TVET colleges.

NSFAS funding can help cover registration, tuition fees, learning materials, accommodation or transport, living expenses and personal care, depending on the student’s institution, circumstances and approved funding package.

If you are planning to study at a public university or TVET college, this guide explains everything you need to know about NSFAS funding, including who qualifies, what NSFAS pays for, how to apply, supporting documents, myNSFAS, application status, appeals and allowances.

NSFAS Applications have opened for the 2027 academic year! Be sure to apply before the closing date of 31 October 2026! Read below how to apply and all other essential information.

What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government entity established under the NSFAS Act to provide financial assistance to students from poor and working-class households.

NSFAS funding is intended for eligible students studying at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

The scheme helps remove financial barriers that could prevent students from accessing and completing higher education.

NSFAS 2027 Applications

NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year are now open. Applications opened on 18 September 2026 and will close on 31 October 2026.

Students should apply as early as possible because late applications cannot be accepted. Applying for NSFAS funding is free.

Apply for NSFAS funding.

Who Qualifies for NSFAS Funding?

The NSFAS bursary is generally available to South African citizens and permanent residents who meet the applicable financial and academic requirements.

The current official financial eligibility thresholds are:

• Gross combined household income of R350,000 or less per year (this means income before tax and other deductions).
• For applicants living with a disability, the gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year (this means income before tax and other deductions).
• SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for the financial eligibility assessment, subject to the other NSFAS requirements.
• Applicants must study or intend to study at an eligible public university or TVET college.
• The qualification must meet NSFAS and applicable DHET requirements.

NSFAS eligibility is not based on household income alone. Applicants must also satisfy the applicable academic, registration and qualification requirements.

Note: if you do not meet all the criteria to apply for NSFAS funding, you can apply for bursaries to cover the cost of your studies. Find our bursaries open for application here.

Who Does Not Qualify for NSFAS?

You generally cannot receive NSFAS funding if you fall into one of the following categories:

• You are studying at a private higher education institution.
• You have already received 100% study funding from another source.
• You have already completed an undergraduate qualification and want to study for a second undergraduate qualification.
• You have completed a certificate qualification and want to study for another certificate qualification.
• You are enrolled for a qualification that is not approved by the relevant authorities.
• You do not meet the applicable NSFAS financial eligibility requirements.

Students should always check the latest NSFAS eligibility rules for the academic year in which they intend to study.

What Does NSFAS Pay For?

The NSFAS bursary can cover several costs associated with studying at a public university or TVET college.

Depending on your institution and approved funding package, NSFAS may provide funding for:

Registration and Tuition

NSFAS covers approved registration and tuition costs for eligible funded students.

The applicable amounts are paid to the institution in accordance with NSFAS funding arrangements.

Learning Materials

Funding may be provided towards approved learning materials required for the student’s studies.

Accommodation

Eligible students who require accommodation may receive funding for approved university residence or qualifying accommodation.

NSFAS has also introduced an accreditation and registration system for student accommodation providers.

Students should use approved accommodation arrangements and check their NSFAS funding information before entering into accommodation agreements.

Transport

Students who live within the applicable distance from their institution may qualify for a transport allowance instead of accommodation funding.

Living Allowance

Eligible students may receive a living allowance to assist with day-to-day costs associated with studying.

Personal Care Allowance

A personal care allowance may apply to eligible students, depending on their funding and accommodation circumstances.

Important: NSFAS allowance amounts can change according to the latest DHET/NSFAS funding guidelines. Students should check their myNSFAS account and the latest official NSFAS information for the amounts applicable to their academic year.

Important: Not every student receives every allowance. Funding depends on the student’s institution, qualification, accommodation arrangements and applicable NSFAS funding rules.

NSFAS Allowances

NSFAS allowances are not necessarily the same for every student.

The amount and type of allowance you receive can depend on:

• Whether you attend a university or TVET college
• Whether you live in university accommodation
• Whether you live in approved private accommodation
• Your distance from the institution
• Your institution’s funding arrangements
• Your approved NSFAS funding package

Rather than relying on allowance figures from previous years, students should check their myNSFAS account for their current funding and allowance information.

NSFAS University Funding

Students studying at public universities may receive funding for approved:

• Tuition fees
• Registration
• Learning materials
• Accommodation
• Living expenses
• Transport
• Personal care, where applicable

The exact allowance structure depends on the student’s circumstances and the applicable annual NSFAS funding guidelines.

NSFAS TVET College Funding

NSFAS also provides financial assistance to eligible students studying at public TVET colleges.

TVET students may qualify for funding towards:

• Tuition and registration
• Learning materials
• Accommodation
• Transport
• Personal care and other approved allowances

NSFAS has also confirmed that funded TVET students can receive allowances through a bank account of their choice, subject to the applicable NSFAS process.

How to Apply for NSFAS

When the application period opens, applicants can follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the NSFAS Website

Go to the official NSFAS website and access the myNSFAS portal.

Applicants can apply through the NSFAS website or the official NSFAS mobile app.

Step 2: Create a myNSFAS Profile

If you do not already have an account, create your profile using your personal details.

Make sure your cellphone number and email address are correct and accessible.

Step 3: Complete Your Application

Log into your myNSFAS account and complete all required sections of the application.

Provide accurate information about your personal circumstances, household and intended studies.

Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents

NSFAS may request supporting documentation depending on your circumstances, as listed below.

Upload clear and valid documents through your myNSFAS account.

Circumstance	Document required
All applicants	South African ID or birth certificate (Smart ID card: both sides)
Your parent, legal guardian or spouse earns an income	Payslips for the last three months, or a UIF statement, or an affidavit where the income is informal
Someone in the household receives a SASSA grant	N/A – social grants are verified with SASSA automatically
Parent or guardian has died	Death certificate for each deceased parent or guardian
Your parents are divorced or separated	Divorce decree, or the settlement agreement showing maintenance
You are married, or a spouse signs for you	Marriage certificate, plus your spouse’s ID
You live with a legal guardian	Proof of legal guardianship issued by a court
A parent or legal guardian was retrenched	Retrenchment letter from the employer — also accepted as supporting evidence in an appeal

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Review the information carefully before submitting your application.

Do not simply save the application and assume it has been submitted.

Step 6: Track Your Application

After submitting your application, regularly log into myNSFAS to check for:

• Application updates
• Requests for additional documents
• Funding decisions
• Registration or funding actions
• Appeal information

As NSFAS continues to assess funding applications, students who still need to upload specific supporting documents will be notified via their portal. Once a notice is issued, you will have 30 days to upload the required documents.

Important: students can save their application and return to complete it before submitting.

NSFAS Supporting Documents

The documents required can differ depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

NSFAS currently identifies documents and forms that may include:

• South African ID document
• Parent, guardian or spouse information
• Proof of household income where required
• NSFAS Consent Form
• NSFAS Declaration Form, where applicable
• Disability Annexure Form, where applicable
• Medical documentation for applicants living with disabilities
• Orphan or Vulnerable Child Declaration Form, where applicable

Additional documentation may be required in certain circumstances, including:

• Death certificate
• Divorce decree
• Retrenchment letter
• Proof of legal guardianship
• Marriage certificate
• Other documents requested during an appeal or assessment

NSFAS determines the documents required based on the applicant’s circumstances. Your myNSFAS account will indicate if additional documents are required.

Applicants have 30 days to submit any missing documents that were not uploaded during their initial application.

NSFAS Consent Form

NSFAS uses the consent process to verify information supplied by applicants and their parents, guardians or spouses against information from independent third-party sources (including SARS and the Department of Home Affairs).

Applicants should carefully complete the applicable consent documentation and ensure that the information supplied is accurate.

The form must be signed by the applicant and by every parent, legal guardian or spouse whose details appear on the application. Take note that the form must be completed in CAPITAL LETTERS only, in Black Ink, signed in pen (no electronic signatures) and no use of correction fluid (tipex).

This is applicable for all applicants.

Download the NSFAS consent form here.

NSFAS Declaration Form

The NSFAS Declaration Form may be required from applicants who are 34 years old or younger and is used to assist with verifying parental or guardian information.

Students should use the latest form supplied by NSFAS for the relevant application cycle.

This is only applicable for applicants aged 34 or younger.

Download the NSFAS declaration form here.

NSFAS for Students Living With Disabilities

Students living with disabilities may qualify for the higher household income threshold of R600,000 per year.

Additional documentation may be required, including a completed Disability Annexure Form and supporting medical documentation.

Applicants should ensure that the required forms and medical documentation are submitted in the format requested by NSFAS.

This is only applicable for applicants with disabilities.

Download the NSFAS disability form here.

What does NSFAS consider a disability?

Disability category	Type of disability	What it means
Sensory disability	Blind	A person has no functional vision.
Sensory disability	Partially sighted	Vision is limited but may be improved with electronic or manual low-vision aids. The person’s vision cannot be fully corrected with ordinary prescription lenses.
Sensory disability	Deaf (capital D)	A person has little or no hearing and generally communicates using South African Sign Language (SASL) and identifies with Deaf culture.
Sensory disability	deaf (lowercase d)	A person has little or no hearing but does not use sign language as their main form of communication. Communication may include speech, speech-reading, cochlear implants or a combination of methods.
Sensory disability	Hearing impaired	A person has some degree of hearing loss and may use assistive technology such as hearing aids, cochlear implants or other listening devices, generally communicating through speech.
Sensory disability	Hard of hearing	Refers to people with varying levels of hearing loss who do not identify with the impairment/disability classification described above.
Sensory disability	Deaf-blind	A person has both significant loss of functional vision and hearing.
Neurodevelopmental disability	Intellectual disability	A disability affecting intellectual functioning and development.
Neurodevelopmental disability	Communication, language and speech disability	Conditions affecting communication, language or speech, including conditions such as stuttering.
Neurodevelopmental disability	Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)	A neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, interaction and behaviour.
Neurodevelopmental disability	Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)	A neurodevelopmental condition that can affect attention, activity levels and impulse control.
Neurodevelopmental disability	Specific learning disabilities	Disabilities that affect particular areas of learning and academic functioning.
Psychosocial / psychiatric disability	Psychosocial disability	May include conditions such as depression or schizophrenia that can affect a person’s daily functioning and participation in education.
Physical disability	Physical disability	Includes conditions involving physical impairment, such as loss of a limb, using crutches or being a wheelchair user. Cerebral palsy is also included in this category.
Physical disability	Chronic illness	A long-term medical condition that affects a person’s everyday functioning. The NSFAS form gives examples such as chronic heart conditions, chronic diabetes and cancer.
Other disability	Any disability not listed above	Applicants can provide details of a disability that does not fall into one of the categories listed above.

NSFAS for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

The form applies to applicants under the age of 18 who are orphans, or who are vulnerable children (i.e.. they have been exposed to abuse, neglect, exploitation, risk of violence and
substance abuse).

Replaces parent or guardian income details where no parent or guardian can sign.

Download the NSFAS orphan/ vulnerable child form here.

How to Check Your NSFAS Status

You can check your NSFAS application and funding information through your myNSFAS account.

Log in and look for the section relating to your funding or application progress.

NSFAS uses the portal to communicate important information about applications, including requests for outstanding documents and funding decisions.

Track Funding Progress

The NSFAS portal allows applicants to monitor the progress of their application and identify whether further action is required.

Possible stages can include:

• Application submitted
• Under review
• Awaiting information or documentation
• Funding decision
• Approved
• Unsuccessful
• Appeal

The exact wording displayed may vary depending on the stage of your application.

What If My NSFAS Application Is Rejected?

If your application is unsuccessful, you should first log into your myNSFAS account and check the reason provided.

If you believe that NSFAS has made an incorrect decision and you are eligible to appeal, you may submit an appeal through the prescribed NSFAS process.

NSFAS currently states that eligible rejected applicants may appeal within 30 days of receiving their application results.

Make sure that you provide any supporting documentation required for your appeal.

NSFAS Appeals

Before submitting an appeal:

1. Log into your myNSFAS account.
2. Check your application outcome.
3. Read the reason for rejection carefully.
4. Determine whether you meet the requirements to appeal.
5. Gather supporting documentation.
6. Submit the appeal through the NSFAS portal.
7. Monitor your account for the appeal outcome.

An appeal does not automatically guarantee funding.

Note: an appeal is only available where the student meets the applicable appeal requirements. Students should first check the rejection reason displayed on myNSFAS and confirm whether their circumstances qualify for an appeal.

NSFAS Funding for Returning Students

Students who have already been approved for NSFAS funding generally do not need to submit a completely new application every year.

NSFAS funding is subject to academic progression and the applicable N+ rule. The “N” represents the minimum number of years required to complete a qualification, while the additional funding period is subject to NSFAS rules.

The standard university N+ rule provides an additional period of funding, while students with disabilities may qualify for an additional period under the N+2 rule. Funding is also subject to the student’s academic progression and the applicable NSFAS requirements.

NSFAS Academic Requirements

Receiving NSFAS funding does not mean that funding continues indefinitely regardless of academic performance.

Students must comply with the applicable academic progression requirements.

If you are already receiving NSFAS funding, make sure you understand your institution’s academic requirements and the NSFAS progression rules that apply to your qualification.

Does NSFAS Fund Private Colleges or Universities?

No.

The NSFAS bursary is intended for eligible students studying at approved public universities and TVET colleges.

Students attending private higher education institutions should investigate other bursaries, scholarships or student loan options.

Does NSFAS Fund Postgraduate Studies?

The NSFAS bursary does not fund postgraduate qualifications. NSFAS bursary funding is intended for approved undergraduate qualifications at eligible public universities and TVET colleges.

This includes undergraduate degrees, diplomas, higher certificates and approved TVET qualifications, subject to the applicable NSFAS funding requirements.

Students looking for funding for postgraduate university studies may be eligible for the NSFAS student loan, which has separate eligibility requirements and must be repaid. According to the current NSFAS information, postgraduate loan applicants may qualify with a gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year, subject to the applicable requirements.

Students should check the latest NSFAS student loan requirements before applying.

NSFAS Student Loan

NSFAS also offers a student loan for eligible students who fall outside the NSFAS bursary income threshold but meet the requirements for the Missing-Middle Loan Scheme.

For non-SASSA undergraduate applicants, the household income requirement is generally between R350,000 and R600,000 per year.

The NSFAS student loan can also provide funding for eligible postgraduate studies, with the applicable income threshold and other requirements depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

Unlike the NSFAS bursary, a student loan is repayable. Students who qualify for a loan must accept the applicable loan terms and sign a loan agreement.

Students should check the latest NSFAS student loan requirements before applying, as the eligibility criteria can differ from those for the NSFAS bursary.

NSFAS Accommodation

Accommodation is an important part of NSFAS funding.

NSFAS has an approved accommodation system through which accommodation providers can register properties for consideration by NSFAS beneficiaries.

Students should check whether their accommodation is approved or recognised under the applicable NSFAS accommodation arrangements before signing an agreement.

NSFAS also warns students about accommodation-related fraud and states that beneficiaries should not be charged fees simply to access NSFAS-funded accommodation.

Important NSFAS Scam Warning

Be careful when providing your personal information.

NSFAS has warned students to protect their:

• Password
• ID number
• Banking information
• One-time PINs
• myNSFAS login details

NSFAS officials will never ask you to share your password.

Do not pay someone who promises to “approve” your NSFAS application or speed up your funding.

Use the official NSFAS website and myNSFAS portal when submitting applications or documents.

NSFAS Contact Details

If you need assistance with your NSFAS application or funding, contact NSFAS directly.

NSFAS Toll-Free: 08000 67327
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
WhatsApp: +27 63 093 5671
USSD: 12067327#

For payment and balance enquiries, NSFAS lists collections@nsfas.org.za

For reporting fraud or corruption:

NSFAS Ethics & Fraud: speakup@nsfas.org.za

Always verify contact information on the official NSFAS website before sharing personal information.

Frequently Asked Questions About NSFAS

Is NSFAS funding free?

The NSFAS bursary is financial aid rather than a conventional student loan. Eligible students must continue meeting the applicable funding and academic requirements.

NSFAS also has a separate student-loan scheme, which is repayable.

How much must my household earn to qualify for NSFAS?

The current NSFAS bursary income threshold is generally R350,000 or less per year, or R600,000 or less for persons living with disabilities.

SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for the financial eligibility assessment, subject to the other applicable requirements.

Can I apply for NSFAS if I am already studying?

Yes. Students who are already studying at an eligible public university or TVET college may apply if they meet the applicable NSFAS requirements and have not already been funded for the relevant studies.

Can SASSA beneficiaries apply for NSFAS?

Yes. NSFAS states that SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for the financial eligibility assessment, although other NSFAS requirements still apply.

Can I apply for NSFAS if I study at a private college?

No. The NSFAS bursary is for eligible students studying at approved public universities and TVET colleges.

How do I check my NSFAS application?

Log into your myNSFAS account and use the available funding/application tracking features to view your current status and any outstanding actions.

Can I appeal if NSFAS rejects my application?

Eligible applicants can appeal through myNSFAS. NSFAS currently states that eligible rejected applicants should submit an appeal within 30 days of receiving their results.

Do I need to apply again every year?

Continuing NSFAS beneficiaries generally do not need to submit a new application every year. Continued funding is subject to the applicable academic progression and funding requirements.

When will NSFAS 2027 applications close?

The last day to apply for 2027 NSFAS funding, is 31 October 2026!

Final Advice for NSFAS Applicants

Applying for NSFAS is about more than simply completing an online form. Make sure that your personal and household information is accurate, keep copies of documents you submit and regularly check your myNSFAS account.

Most importantly, do not rely on unofficial NSFAS application dates, allowance amounts or social-media posts. NSFAS rules and funding amounts can change, so use the latest information published by NSFAS for the relevant academic year.