The University of South Africa (Unisa) is commencing the 2025 academic year with many of its students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The government funding scheme has revealed how Unisa students will be paid their allowances in May 2025.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS funding covers tuition, registration fees and several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
Many students enrolled in Unisa courses benefit from NSFAS funding.
How Unisa NSFAS Allowances Will Be Paid For May 2025
Unisa confirmed that NSFAS allowances are paid by the institution via EFT in the student’s bank account.
NSFAS allowances are paid by the institution via EFT in the student’s bank account.
This is consistent with the allowance payment methods for all University students.
Unisa advised students whose allowances appear to be wrong or not loaded should contact the Unisa student funding department at [email protected].
Students funded by the NSFAS often wonder why their study fee accounts reflect an outstanding balance despite having approved funding. While the scheme takes responsibility for settling tuition fees, these payments may occur later in the academic year.
It's also important to note that NSFAS will not pay the historical debt of newly funded students.
Unisa Confirms Latest Payments
Unisa said outstanding balances on a study fee account will not impact a student's access to university services. This includes receiving study materials, marking assignments, and sitting for exams.
The university said all first year students who are on the NSFAS-funded list and have correctly captured their banking details on the ITS system will receive their allowances by Friday 7 May 2025.
An estimated 220 first students still need to receive their allowances.
NSFAS funding applies only to students registered for their first qualification and courses covered under its funding policy. However, students should note that NSFAS does not cover additional charges such as fees for supplementary exams, remarking, or textbooks billed directly to the study fee account.
