Studying further is expensive with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) providing bursaries and loans to students to assist. Included in NSFAS funding is allowances which cover student needs.
NSFAS has announced the eligibility requirements and conditions for financial aid in 2025. They have also outlined the allowances that TVET College students can expect to receive during the 2025 academic year
NSFAS allowances are divided into 10 payments every year, during the academic year. The academic year commences in February and ends in November for most institutions which means that NSFAS pays allowances from February until November only.
TVET College NSFAS Allowances For 2025
NSFAS has confirmed that for the 2025 academic year, students can expect to receive the following allowances:
Bursaries
- Learning materials
- Living/personal care
- Only for students in non-catered residences
- Accommodation
- Capped according to area
- Transport
- For students who are not living on residence
Distance Learning Students
Distance learning university students will however receive a different set of NSFAS allowances as their needs are different. NSFAS has made it clear that distance learning students at TVET Colleges only qualify for the personal care allowance.
Occupational Programmes
TVET College students registered for an occupational qualification may qualify for allowances only if in simulated training, while those with an employment contract and a stipend do not qualify for NSFAS allowances.
Loans
- Accommodation
- Learning materials
The Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane, will soon announce how much NSFAS allowances for 2025 will be during her state of readiness briefing.
How TVET College NSFAS Allowances Will Be Paid For 2025
NSFAS has confirmed the continuation of its direct allowance payment system for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students in 2025. On how students will receive allowance payments, NSFAS has said:
Allowances of students will be paid based on an approved NSFAS payment channel.
"The allowances payment channel for TVET College students remains their own bank accounts," said NSFAS. NSFAS called on TVET Colleges to instruct students to open bank accounts to ensure they can receive timely NSFAS allowance payments.
Only students with confirmed funding and submitted registration data are eligible to add banking details.
Students can update their banking details on the myNSFAS portal by following these simple steps:
- Visit the myNSFAS portal
- Log in using your myNSFAS credentials.
- Select "Bank Account Details" under "Profile Information."
- Enter your bank details accurately.
- Click "Save."
NSFAS says students can minimise any potential disruptions in receiving their allowances by ensuring their profiles are up-to-date and submitting their banking details on time.
