The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a public entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training. The bursary has been in existence for more than 28 years.
NSFAS provides financial support through study bursaries to qualifying students at TVET colleges and public universities.
The bursary covers the cost of registration, tuition and allowances for books, transport, accommodation, food and personal care.
The following students are eligible for the bursary:
- All South African citizens.
- All SASSA grant recipients.
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum.
- Persons with a disability whose combined household income is not more than R600 000 per annum.
- Applicants who first registered at university before 2018 whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum.
Students who have already applied and received funding in previous years are automatically funded for the duration of their studies. This only applies to students who have passed their modules and meet the academic requirements. So you do not need to reapply for NSFAS each year.
If you were rejected by NSFAS when you applied for the first time, you will have an appeal period which will be posted on their website. If you are rejected after the appeal, you can apply next year again.
For more information about NSFAS, visit their website.
