The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has announced that the will be making a number of different payments this week. Some TVET College students who have been waiting since last year for their allowances should be paid today.
TVET Student Allowances
Any TVET students who were waiting for payments from last year should be paid today, Tuesday the 3rd June.
Student organisations have often criticised the student funding organisation for the delays that occur. While the majority of students were paid on time, this is no comfort to those who have not been paid and are struggling to pay for food, and transport to campus.
There is also criticism of the difference in allowance amounts for TVET students and university students. Although living costs are the same for both groups, TVET College students are given a smaller allowance than university students.
University Student Allowances
University students should have received their allowances yesterday on the 2nd June.
Payments to landlords of university students should have been paid directly on Friday the 30th May. In previous payment cycles payments for accommodation were paid to students directly but NSFAS confirmed that this was a mistake and now landlords will be paid directly.
Tuition fees for both university and TVET College students were paid yesterday. These payments also go directly to the institution so students should check their next student fee statements to confirm if the payments have been correctly allocated.
Recent applications during the month of May were for TVET students who want to start studying in the second semester of 2025. These students won't have been paid yet.
No date has been officially announced for NSFAS applications for studying in 2026, but this is usually in September or October.
How Much Are 2025 TVET NSFAS Allowances
Minister of Higher Education and Training Nobuhle Nkabane has confirmed that NSFAS allowances for TVET College students will increase from R10 000 to R14 600 in 2025, representing a 46% increase.
NSFAS has now confirmed the exact amounts and here's what TVET College students can expect to receive in March 2025:
Accommodation Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Students who don't receive this allowance will receive a transport allowance.
- Students living in a Catered residence (Metro): R6 599
- Students living in a Catered residence (Non-metro): R5 663
- Students living in a Non-catered residence (Metro): R5 200
- Students living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R4 264
- Students with disabilities living in a Catered residence (Metro): R6 963
- Students with disabilities living in a Catered residence (Non-metro): R6 027
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Metro): R5 200
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R4 264
Living Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Only specific categories of students, listed below, receive this allowance.
- Students with disabilities living in a Catered residence (Metro): R1 716
- Students living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R1 716
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Metro): R2 080
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R2 080
- Students who receive a transport allowance: R1 716
- Students with disabilities who receive a transport allowance: R2 080
Travel Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Students who receive a transport allowance, both able-bodied students and students with disabilities will receive a transport allowance of R802 in March 2025.
Personal Care Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Only students who live in catered residences receive this allowance which is around R316 per month.
NSFAS Allowances For University Students In 2025
Learning Materials Allowance
This allowance is paid once-off at the beginning of the year. Once it's paid for the year, it won't be paid again. For 2025 students will receive a Learning material allowance as follows:
- Students living in a Catered residence: R5 678
- Students living in a Non-catered residence: R5 678
- Students with disabilities living on residence: R6 240 (Catered and Non-catered)
- Students who receive a transport allowance: R5 678
- Students with disabilities who receive a transport allowance: R6,240
Accommodation Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Students who don't receive this allowance will receive a transport allowance.
- Students living in a Catered residence (Metro): R6 599
- Students living in a Catered residence (Non-metro): R5 663
- Students living in a Non-catered residence (Metro): R5 200
- Students living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R4 264
- Students with disabilities living in a Catered residence (Metro): R6 963
- Students with disabilities living in a Catered residence (Non-metro): R6 027
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Metro): R5 200
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R4 264
Living Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Only specific categories of students, listed below, receive this allowance.
- Students with disabilities living in a Catered residence (Metro): R1 716
- Students living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R1 716
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Metro): R2 080
- Students with disabilities living in a Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R2 080
- Students who receive a transport allowance: R1 716
- Students with disabilities who receive a transport allowance: R2 080
Travel Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Students who receive a transport allowance, both able-bodied students and students with disabilities will receive a transport allowance of R819 in April 2025.
Personal Care Allowance
This allowance is paid monthly, for 10 months. Only students who live in catered residences receive this allowance which is around R316 per month.
NSFAS Loans
Students who are funded with a NSFAS loan only receive an accommodation allowance and a learning materials allowance.
