The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed the 2025 NSFAS allowance amounts. This information informs students how much money they will receive from the scheme to cover educational expenses.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This funding covers tuition and registration fees and several allowances are paid to students for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
Last month, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane confirmed that University NSFAS allowances will increase by 4% and TVET College NSFAS allowances will increase from R10 000 to R14 600. However, the Minister did not reveal exact amounts students will receive.
NSFAS has released the 2025 approved allowances. NSFAS amounts are divided into ten instalments which are paid to students throughout the academic year.
2025 NSFAS Allowances For University Students
|
Category |
New Books |
Accommodation |
Living Allowance |
Travel Allowance |
Personal Care Allowance |
Human Support |
Assistive Device |
|
UNI Catered - Disability Metro |
R6,240 |
R69,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R6,240 |
R60,273 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Catered - Metro |
R5,678 |
R65,993 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
UNI Catered - Non-Metro |
R5,678 |
R56,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Disability Metro |
R6,240 |
R52,000 |
R20,800 |
- |
- |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R6,240 |
R42,640 |
R20,800 |
- |
- |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Metro |
R5,678 |
R52,000 |
R17,160 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Non-Metro |
R5,678 |
R42,640 |
R17,160 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
UNI Disability Transport |
R6,240 |
- |
R20,800 |
R8,190 |
- |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Transport |
R5,678 |
- |
R17,160 |
R8,190 |
- |
- |
- |
2025 NSFAS Allowances For TVET College Students
|
Allowance Type |
Accommodation |
Living Allowance |
Travel Allowance |
Personal Care Allowance |
Human Support |
Assistive Device |
|
TVET Catered - Disability Metro |
R69,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R60,273 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Catered - Metro |
R65,993 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
TVET Catered - Non-Metro |
R56,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
TVET Disability Transport |
- |
R20,800* |
R8,027 |
- |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Disability Metro |
R52,000 |
R20,800* |
- |
- |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R42,640 |
R20,800* |
- |
- |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Metro |
R52,000 |
R17,160* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Non-Metro |
R42,640 |
R17,160* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
TVET Transport |
- |
R17,160* |
R8,027 |
- |
- |
- |
NSFAS reminded institutions that they must first obtain written approval from the bursary scheme if they need to deviate from the NSFAS allowance caps.
Should institutions see a need to deviate from the allowance caps, they must first obtain written approval from NSFAS before submitting any allowances above the provided caps.
NSFAS Allowances Explained
The NSFAS accommodation allowance ensures students live close to their institutions. However, there are several different accommodation allowances paid based on the type of residence a student lives in while they study.
Students living in metro areas receive higher accommodation allowances than those in non-metro areas, reflecting the higher cost of living in cities.
The type of accommodation a student stays in also impacts what other NSFAS allowances they receive.
Students living in catered residences do not receive a living allowance while students who live in non-catered residences do. This is because the living allowances are used to cover food and living expenses.
A personal care allowance is provided to students living in catered residences.
Students who do not live in accommodation receive a transport allowance from NSFAS.
Students with disabilities receive additional financial support for assistive devices and human support.
