The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is urging students to apply for funding before the 2025 NSFAS application deadline.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, as well as several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
The 2025 NSFAS application period will close on Sunday, 15 November 2024. This deadline applies to all university and TVET college students who plan to begin their studies at the start of Semester 1 or Trimester 1.
Deputy Minister Calls for Submission of NSFAS Applications
Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Buti Manamela has encouraged prospective students to act quickly and submit their funding applications.
Manamela emphasized that the 2025 application period will not be extended.
There will not be any extension beyond the 15 December, this year.
He explained that the Department of Higher Education has undertaken extensive efforts to raise awareness about the 2025 NSFAS application process. Notably, Grade 12 learners do not need to have their final results to apply for NSFAS funding.
Those who will be completing their Grade 12 this year and they want to study at a university or at a TVET College and their household income is less than R350,000, they can apply for a free bursary from NSFAS that will cover their transport, tuition and also there is a lifestyle allowance.
Manamela further noted that students whose household income exceeds R350,000 per annum can apply for the NSFAS loan.
If you're at home if you haven't applied for NSFAS and you have written your grade 12 this year please make inquiries please go and make an application at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme so that you're able to get funding for next year.
The Deputy Minister has participated in several NSFAS outreach activities to encourage individuals to apply for funding.
He also highlighted the importance of honest applications and issued a warning against fraud. Additionally, he reminded students who received NSFAS funding before 2018 that they are responsible for repaying their loans.
Manamela added that NSFAS has been working to enhance its systems to address issues such as delayed payments and fraud. These improvements aim to ensure a smooth start to the next academic year.
The Deputy Minister confirmed that 60% of new NSFAS applicants have already been approved for funding in 2025
