With the 2025 academic year NSFAS funding application window having opened on 28/09/2025, the following information is important to note:
- As of the 2025 academic year, University students must pass the number of courses as indicated in the course pass rate table (the number of courses that a student must pass to remain academically eligible for future NSFAS financial aid).
2025 Application – How to Apply User Guide
Course Pass Rate Table
| Number of courses a university student is registered for in any academic term | Number of courses that university students must pass for that academic term |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 4 |
| 7 | 4 |
| 8 | 5 |
| 9 | 6 |
| 10 | 6 |
| 11 | 7 |
| 12 | 8 |
| 13 | 8 |
| 14 | 9 |
| 15 | 9 |
| 16 | 10 |
| 17 | 11 |
| 18 | 11 |
| 19 | 12 |
| 20 | 12 |
| 21 | 13 |
| 22 | 14 |
| 23 | 14 |
| 24 | 15 |
| 25 | 15 |
| 26 | 16 |
| 27 | 17 |
| 28 | 17 |
| 29 | 18 |
| 30 | 18 |
| 31 | 19 |
| 32 | 20 |
| 33 | 20 |
| 34 | 21 |
| 35 | 21 |
| 36 | 22 |
| 37 | 23 |
| 38 | 23 |
| 39 | 24 |
| 40 | 24 |
- Application closes on 31st January 2025.
- Returning students and University students that move through the NSFAS funding academic pathway (The progression of a student from one type of qualification that is approved for funding to another qualification that is also approved for funding. i.e. Higher Certificate students) must re-apply and meet the continuing student academic eligibility requirements.
- A “returning student” is a senior student who was not funded by NSFAS in the immediate prior academic term and needs to re-apply for funding. For the purposes of 2025 applications, “immediate prior academic term” refers to the 2025 academic year.
- Only NSFAS approved University and TVET College academic progression pathways are funded and implemented in conjunction with the eligibility criteria.
- The only approved University progression pathway is from a qualification that has been defined as a certificate qualification to a qualification that has been defined as an undergraduate qualification, noting that NSFAS only funds students studying towards their first certificate or undergraduate qualification.
- NSFAS does not provide financial aid to Students who have already obtained a first certificate qualification (regardless of whether/not students received funding from NSFAS previously) and are registering for a second certificate qualification.
- Where a student has changed their qualification and the remaining N is not sufficient to complete the different qualification, the student will no longer receive financial aid.
- Students who de-register or drop out during an academic term and wish to resume their studies in future academic terms, must re-apply.
- University allowances (living allowance, personal care allowance, travel allowance, accommodation allowance): as of the 2025 academic year, students who are studying less than 60 credits towards their qualification, qualify for the learning materials allowances only.
- Students that were provisionally funded by NSFAS during the 2025 academic year but opted for another bursary, should re-apply for the 2025 academic year if they would like to be reinstated into NSFAS funding for the 2025 academic year.
- All continuing students (students that are currently funded by NSFAS) to please register/create their profile on the new NSFAS portal so that their details can migrate on to the new NSFAS portal.
- The link to create a profile is as follows: https://my.nsfas.org.za/
- The same link may be used to apply for funding.
- You are further encouraged to use Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer when accessing the shared link.
- Please keep close eye on the NSFAS website and social media accounts for continuous news regarding funding closing dates and queries.
- All application-related queries to be addressed directly with NSFAS via their various communication channels applicable to applicants.
Other important information
Outstanding accounts should be settled by students if funded in previous years, whereby debits on fee statement relates to gym, society, re-assessment fees, library books lost, etc.
The Student Merit award is towards payment of Tuition only.
NSFAS students are not allocated the Merit award because NSFAS is a full bursary.
NSFAS students are not able to claim any credits on their fee statements unless they have made a deposit themselves.
Students with Sponsor and NSFAS are not allowed to claim any refund.
Honours, Masters and PHD students should require with RCD with regard to funding.
Students that had NSFAS in previous years need not re-apply for funding.
IMPORTANT: The student number and the objective of the email must at all times be entered as the Subject of the email.
Kindly utilize the self-help facilities:
Fees estimation facility for this purpose at the following link
http://www.mandela.ac.za/Academic/Courses-on-offer/Career-study-fields?sq=1
For a copy of your student account or balance enquiries please go to http://www.mandela.ac.za/student/ after you have officially been registered for the academic year.
Please note the following:
1. For proof of registration, academic records and changes to contact details please contact Student Records at [email protected]
2. For Financial Aid/NSFAS, merit or any other bursary related enquiries please contact Financial Aid at [email protected]
3. For registration enquiries please contact the respective Faculty Administrators
Enquiries in terms of items 1, 2 and 3 above will not be responded to by [email protected]
NSFAS contact details for students
Contact Centre: 0800 067 327
Email: [email protected]
Intellicard: 087 2300 161
Stay updated through Facebook and Twitter:
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What is The National Student Financial Aid Scheme? (NSFAS)
NSFAS was established in terms of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Act 56 of 1999)
The mission statement is made up of three well defined elements, which describe why NSFAS exists and its impact on the people it serves:
- NSFAS exists to provide financial aid to eligible students at public TVET colleges and public universities;
- NSFAS identifies eligible students, provides bursaries and collects past student loan repayments to replenish the funds available for future generations of students; and,
- NSFAS supports access to, and success in, higher education and training for students from poor and working-class families who would otherwise not be able to afford to study.
NSFAS Applications for the 2020 academic year have closed. 2021 NSFAS application dates will be communicated on all NSFAS social media platforms and on www.nsfas.org.za
NSFAS students and prospective NSFAS students are required to open and regularly check their myNSFAS accounts for NSFAS funding related information.
To log into your myNSFAS go to www.nsfas.org.za, go to the myNSFAS tab and follow the log in process explained on screen.
Follow us on social media for the latest NSFAS information:
Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Twitter: myNSFAS
Instagram: myNSFAS
Our Toll Free number is: 08000 67327
What does the bursary cover?
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Living allowance
- Book allowances
- Incidental/personal care allowance
- Registration
- Tuition
- Funded students with disabilities need to submit claims for Assistive Devices and Human Support directly to the university’s Student Support Services/Financial Aid office.
Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?
- All South African citizens
- All SASSA grant recipients
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
- Persons with a disability with a combined household income not more than R600 000 per annum
- Students who have started studying before 2018 whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum
Additional support:
NSFAS funded students who have a disability are further supported through an additional allowance.
Please contact the Disability Unit or Financial Aid Office at your university for assistance.
Below are the Additional Allowances;
- Medical Assessment: Limited to one assessment for the duration of the qualification and on request by the Disability Unit/ Student Support
- Assistive Devices: Limited to one Assistive Device for the duration of study.
- Human Support: To cover for the cost of a caregiver, guide dog, scribe, tutor or sign language interpreter