The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial assistance to qualifying students, ensuring they receive monthly allowance payments. By providing bursaries to cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, NSFAS empowers students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education.
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.
How Much Are NSFAS Allowances?
For university students, the annual living allowance is R16,500. This includes R3,045 for personal care and R13,455 for meals. Additionally, they receive a learning material allowance of up to R5,460.
For TVET college students, the annual living allowance is R10,000. The learning material allowance varies based on the courses they are enrolled in.
Special provisions are available for students with disabilities, including higher living allowances and additional support for learning materials. However, some conditions apply, such as allowances being available only during simulated training for certain TVET students.
Monthly NSFAS Allowances for October 2024
NSFAS divides meal and personal care allowances into 10 payments throughout the year. In July, for example, students receive a meal allowance of R1,345. Those in catered accommodation receive a personal care allowance of approximately R300.
Transportation Allowance
Students who live more than 10 km from campus are eligible for an annual transportation allowance of R7,718, translating to a monthly travel allowance of R771. If the institution has not arranged transportation, this allowance will be paid directly to the student.
It's crucial to maintain your academic eligibility to continue receiving NSFAS funding. Ensure you meet all the necessary requirements to keep benefiting from the scheme.