The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) published the Eligibility Criteria And Conditions For Financial Aid Policy Standard for the 2025 Academic Year. The document confirms which allowances students will get in 2025.
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, as well as several allowances for food, accommodation, transport and learning materials.
The allowances received by students are based on several factors including which courses they are enrolled in, what type of institution they attend and where they live while they are studying.
Which Allowances Students Will Get In 2025
Accommodation Allowance
Students who don't live at home during their studies receive an accommodation allowance. The allowance is capped for university and TVET students, with different limits for metro and non-metro areas.
An accommodation appeal process is available for students incorrectly classified.
Metro areas in South Africa include:
- Buffalo City (East London)
- City of Cape Town
- Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (East Rand)
- City of eThekwini (Durban)
- City of Johannesburg
- Mangaung Municipality (Bloemfontein)
- Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (Gqeberha)
- City of Tshwane (Pretoria)
Living Allowance
NSFAS-funded university students who do not live in catered residences receive a living allowance for food and other essentials. This does not apply to distance students with fewer than 60 credits.
Accommodation and Travel Allowances
Students qualify for either a travel or accommodation allowance, not both. Institution-owned, leased, and private accommodation allowances are capped in metro and non-metro areas.
Students living with immediate family or relatives receive a transport allowance instead of an accommodation allowance. Those in institution-owned or leased accommodation receive a capped annual accommodation allowance, as do students in accredited private accommodation.
Students in institution-catered accommodation receive capped allowances covering accommodation, living expenses, and personal care. Each student is entitled to only one type of accommodation allowance per term.
Health sciences students have their accommodation covered for 12 months.
Learning Materials Allowance
All university students receive a learning materials allowance per academic year. This allowance must be used for academic books, materials, and/or a learning device. The amount is based on the actual cost of prescribed learning materials.
