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 students at the University of South Africa (Unisa) 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.
Unisa NSFAS Allowances For 2025
NSFAS has confirmed that for the 2025 academic year, Unisa students can expect to receive the following allowances:
Bursaries
Distance learning university students will however receive a different set of NSFAS allowances as their needs are different.
Distance University students, who are studying less than 60 course credits towards their qualification, qualify for the learning materials allowances only. Distance University students studying an equivalent full-time course credit load qualify for the personal care allowance per academic year as well.
Allowances for students in distance education programmes are calculated based on the number of
courses registered.
Loans
- 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 Unisa NSFAS Allowances Will Be Paid For 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].
