The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides comprehensive bursaries to students enrolled in approved programmes at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Which TVET programmes does NSFAS fund?
- Engineering Studies
- National Certificate -Vocational NQF levels 2-4
- Report 191 N1-N6
- Engineering and Related Design; Electrical Infrastructure; Civil Engineering Construction; Information Technology & Computer Science
- Business & Utility Studies
- National Certificate – Vocational NQF levels 2-4
- Report 191 N1-N6
- Management; Marketing; Finance; Office Administration; Economics & Accounting; Education & Development; Hospitality; Tourism; Safety in Society and Transport & Logistics
- Pre-Learning Programme (PLP) funding through NSFAS
What are the requirements for TVET students to be funded?
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be registered or intending to register on a PLP, NC(V) or Report 191 programme at any of the fifty (50) public TVET Colleges in South Africa
- Must be in need of financial assistance
- Should you be a returning student, you must demonstrate proven and accepted academic performance in line with the College’s progression policy or the progression prescriptions of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines (whichever is higher)
- Must not be enrolling for a qualification that duplicates previous learning that was state-funded
- Household income is less than R350,000 per year
What is included in the NSFAS bursary?
NSFAS will pay for a student's tuition and registration fees. In addition to this, students will also receive several allowances. These allowances will vary depending on the student.
College Owned/Managed Accommodation
TVET college's owned catered accommodation in metro areas is capped at R60,000 and in other areas is capped at R51,000. Students in catered residences are not eligible for a living allowance. They also receive a personal care allowance of R3,045.
TVET college managed down and leased self-catered accommodation capped at R50,000 in metros and 41,000 in other areas. These students are eligible for the TVET college living allowance of R10,000 per annum.They also receive a personal care allowance of R3,045.
Private Accommodation
Students living in Private Off Campus accredited accommodation in metro areas receive an accommodation allowance capped at R50,000 per annum while those living in other areas receive a R41,000 accommodation allowance.
These students also qualify for a living allowance of R10,000 and personal care allowance of R3,045.
Students who opt to make their own accommodation arrangements with immediate family or with relatives do not qualify for the accommodation allowance.
Students who live less than 10KM away from their campus qualify for a travel allowance determined by the institution, up to a maximum of R7,875 in 2024. They also receive a living allowance of R10,000 and personal care allowance of R3,045.
TVET College students may either qualify for the travel allowance or the accommodation allowance.
Distance TVET College students qualify for the personal care allowance of R3,045 only.
TVET College students who are registered on an occupational qualification may qualify for allowances ONLY if in simulated training, students registered on an occupational qualification that have an employment contract and are paid stipend do not qualify for NSFAS allowances.
How Do I Apply?
There are three application cycles for TVET students. They are as follows:
- National Certificate Vocation (NC(v)) , Semester 1 and Trimester 1
- This is done annually.
- Can be done through online application and walk in assistive capture application at the beginning of each year
- Trimester 2 & 3
- Done as per DHET calendar, in May and September respectively
- Walk in assistive capture application also available
- Semester 2
- Opens in June-July
- Done through walk in assistive capture application
You can apply online, at the NSFAS head office or at the TVET College you wish to attend's bursary office.
