After careful consideration of the plight of the currently registered university students who were unable to apply for funding due to several reasons, the National Student Financial Aid Student Board resolved to grant a once-off opportunity for them to apply.
This initiative is not intended to create any future precedence and has also factored in, amongst other things, the scheme’s available funds. This provision is aimed at alleviating the financial burden of eligible and deserving students but also minimizing the burden of student debt which usually culminates into protests at the beginning of the year.
This concession is applied only to qualifying students who are registered in the 2021 academic year and are without any other form of bursary and requisite financial support.
The application period will open for two weeks, 17 August 2021 – 03 September 2021.
Application Process
Student must register on the myNSFAS portal to apply and track their application status.
- Log onto www.nsfas.org.za
- Click on ‘register’
- Complete the required fields (ID number, cellphone, email)
- Upload copy of ID
- OTP will be sent to student’s cellphone number to activate the account.
Once a myNSFAS account profile is created, the system will allow the identified student to apply online.
- Click on ‘apply’
- Complete all required fields where applicable
- Upload supporting documents
- A reference number will be sent to the student to their cellphone number and email address
Who is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a public entity reporting to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It provides financial assistance in the form of study bursaries to qualifying students who plan to study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and public universities.
This is what the scheme does:
- 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 the cost of studying at a TVET college or university.
- Provides bursaries to qualifying students at TVET colleges and public universities.
What does the NSFAS bursary cover?
To ensure that students get the most out of their studies, NSFAS makes their educational journey enjoyable and free of any financial burden by providing all necessary support from registration until graduation.
Students who are approved for NSFAS funding are covered for the following:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
They also receive allowances for the following:
- Learning Materials
- Living (covers food and incidental expenses)
- Personal care
- Accommodation or transport
Extra support is provided to students living with disabilities, such as:
- Medical assessments: The assessment is 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 the qualification.
- Human support: To cover for the cost of human support such as a caregiver, guide-dog, scribe, tutor, or sign language interpreter.
Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?
You qualify for a NSFAS bursary if you are a South African citizen who plans to study at a public university or TVET college and you fall within one or more of the below categories:
- All SASSA grant recipients.
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per year.
- Persons with disabilities combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per year.
Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form (PDF)
2025 NSFAS Eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid
Download the 2025 NSFAS Eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid (PDF)