You need to apply or be studying at a public university to qualify for financial assistance. Students who intend to study at private institutions will not be assisted by NSFAS.
NSFAS provides funding to vulnerable students who cannot afford to pay their own fees and have a annual household income of less than R350 000. NSFAS funding extends further than just paying your tuition fees. It also covers books, accommodation, transport and there are other benefits as well.
NSFAS funds students at the following Universities:
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Central University of Technology
- University of Kwazulu-Natal
- University of Limpopo
- Durban University of Technology
- University of Mpumalanga
- Nelson Mandela University
- University of Pretoria
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- University of South Africa
- North West University
- Stellenbosch University
- Rhodes University
- University of the Free State
- Sefako Makgatho University
- University of the Western Cape
- Sol Plaatje University
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Venda
- University of Cape Town
- University of Zululand
- University of Fort Hare
- Vaal University of Technology
- University of Johannesburg
- Walter Sisulu University
If you're a Unisa student, yes you can get funded but your funding would work differently. You would not get all the allowances students at contact universities get because University is basically online. Unisa students only get their tuition fees paid and a learning materials allowance for books or devices. Unisa students who are registered for ten modules or more are also allocated an incidental allowance.
Qualifying and getting funded by NSFAS means nothing if you are not registered to a University or TVET College.
You are also encouraged to apply to NSFAS as soon as you can as the demand for funding is expected to grow due to the effects Covid-19 and the lockdown has had on employment and finances.
NSFAS applications are now open. NSFAS does not accept emailed or posted applications. For more information on how to apply, click here.
