For the 2023 academic year, nearly 1 million tertiary students throughout the country are funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This includes funded students enrolled in the country’s public universities and TVET colleges.
The scheme received a budget allocation of R47.6 million for the current academic year, according to Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, who went on to say that this year’s NSFAS allowance payments have been adjusted for inflation.
Nzimande also confirmed that NSFAS allowance payments would still be made on a monthly basis but will be paid directly to students through their NSFAS bank accounts, which also comes with added benefits.
How Much Will NSFAS Allowances Be For December?
According to Nzimande, the only distance university students who qualify for a personal care allowance are those enrolled for an equivalent full-time course credit load. They qualify for an annual personal care allowance payment of R3 045.
This cohort of NSFAS funded students must be registered for a minimum of 120 course credits per year. Meanwhile those enrolled for less than 60 course credits will only receive the learning material allowance.
NSFAS Payment Schedule
All NSFAS-funded university students who live in non-catered university residences will receive an annual living allowance of R15 750 made up of R3 045 as a personal care allowance per year and R12 705 as a meal allowance. The NSFAS payment schedule informs you of when the payments will be made.
In terms of student accommodation allowance, all institutions owned or leased, as well as private accommodation, will be capped at R45 000 per academic year. Private accommodation allowances will be required to be paid directly to private accommodation service providers by Nsfas or institutions.
NSFAS Allowance Delays
Students might have experienced delays with NSFAS allowance payments. NSFAS spokesperson Slumezi Skosana attributed the allowance payment delays for November 2023 to a data adjustment process.
Skosana says this process affords institutions the opportunity to rectify their data, to address scenarios such as student module additions or cancellations and changes in allowance types, such as transitioning from transportation to accommodation.
To find out more about the NSFAS bursary, applications and the latest changes, head to our NSFAS page.
