The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in accredited programmes at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa.
Allowance News
Around one million students currently enrolled in programmes at South Africa’s public tertiary education institutions are beneficiaries of NSFAS funding. This funding includes money for tuition fees and registration fees, along with monthly allowance payments for accommodation, food, transport and learning materials.
How Much Are NSFAS Allowances?
University students
- Living allowance: R16,500 annually (R3,045 for personal care + R13,455 for meals)
- Learning material allowance: Up to R5,460
TVET college students
- Living allowance: R10,000 annually
- Learning material allowance: Varies depending on the course
Special provisions are made for students with disabilities, who receive higher living allowances and a learning materials allowance. Certain conditions apply.
Monthly NSFAS Allowances for August
NSFAS meal and personal care allowances are divided into 10 payments. This means that in August, students will receive:
- Meal allowance: R1,345
- Personal care allowance: Approximately R300 (for students in catered accommodation)
Transportation Allowance
If students live 10 km away from campus, they are eligible for a transportation allowance of R7,718 annually, which means students receive a monthly travel allowance of up to R771. This allowance is given directly to the student unless the institution arranges travel.
How August Allowances Will Be Paid
In April 2024, NSFAS confirmed that Universities will be responsible for the payment of NSFAS allowances to students until the end of July 2024. However, the government bursary scheme revealed that universities will continue to pay NSFAS allowances until the end of the year.
Following a meeting between Universities South Africa (USAF) and the NSFAS Administrator, Mr F Nomvalo, NSFAS has decided that university students' allowances will continue to be distributed through universities for the remainder of the 2024 academic year.
NSFAS will now allocate universities funds which will be used to continue to pay allowances to students.
