The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) remains a critical source of financial support for thousands of South African students.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, as well as several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
NSFAS Allowance Payments for November 2024
University Students
- Living Allowance: R16,500 per year (R3,045 allocated for personal care, R13,455 for meals)
- Learning Material Allowance: Up to R5,460
TVET College Students
- Living Allowance: R10,000 per year
- Learning Material Allowance: Varies depending on the course
There are additional provisions for students with disabilities, including higher living allowances and a larger learning materials allowance, subject to certain conditions.
NSFAS Monthly Allowances for November
NSFAS allocates meal and personal care allowances in 10 monthly instalments. For November, students can expect the following payments:
- Meal Allowance: R1,345
- Personal Care Allowance: Approximately R300 (for students in catered accommodation)
Transport Allowance
Students who reside more than 10 km from campus are eligible for an annual transportation allowance of R7,718, translating to a monthly payment of up to R771. This amount is either paid directly to students or handled by the institution, depending on the travel arrangements.
Payment of November Allowances
In April 2024, NSFAS confirmed that universities would be responsible for distributing NSFAS allowances to students until the end of July 2024. However, this arrangement has been extended, and universities will now continue to manage these payments through the end of the year.
For TVET college students, NSFAS allowances will be directly deposited into their personal bank accounts.
