The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students and covers all expenses related to their studies. This is government funding which will cover the majority of the courses offered at the 26 public universities and 50 TVET Colleges in South Africa.
NSFAS funding includes money for tuition and registration fees as well as several NSFAS allowances.
NSFAS allowances are divided into 10 payments every year, during the academic year. The academic year commences in February and ends in November for most institutions which means that NSFAS pays allowances from February until November only.
In February, the Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane, announced that NSFAS allowances for 2025 will be increased.
Related Articles:
How Much NSFAS Allowance Payments Will Be For 2025
While NSFAS and the Minister has not yet confirmed exactly how much students can expect to get paid for NSFAS allowances this year, the Minister has revealed that students will see a boost in their payments from last year.
University students will receive a 4% increase in NSFAS allowances while TVET College students will receive an increase in NSFAS allowances from R10 000 per annum to R14 600 per annum, which represents a 46% increase.
NSFAS Allowances For 2025
NSFAS bursary holders at TVET colleges and universities are entitled to allowances covering learning materials, living expenses (for those in non-catered residences), accommodation, and transport for non-resident students.
Distance Learning Students will receive different allowances. Distance University students, who study less than 60 percent module credits in one academic year, qualify for the learning material allowance only.
Distance TVET College students qualify for the personal care allowance only.
If you're a student at a TVET College or university and you have a NSFAS loan, you will only receive allowances for Accommodation and Learning materials. NSFAS said that the loan won't cover transport costs for students.
How NSFAS Allowances Will Be Paid In 2025
NSFAS has confirmed that for 2025, TVET College students will continue to have their allowances paid directly into their personal bank accounts. Students are urged to update their bank account details on the myNSFAS portal.
Universities will continue to pay allowances to students directly in 2025, until NSFAS announces a change in the payment strategy. Universities will have different ways of making these payments and it is important that students consult their financial aid offices at their institutions to find out what steps to take next to secure their allowances.
