NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This funding covers tuition and registration fees. Students also receive several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
The main criteria for NSFAS bursaries is that applicants meet the household income requirements. To qualify for a NSFAS bursary, students may not have a household income exceeding R350,000 per annum. Disabled students may have a household income of up to R600,000 per annum and qualify for a NSFAS bursary.
NSFAS does not subject beneficiaries of Sassa grants to household income criteria. This is because Sassa grant beneficiaries generally fall within the required household income threshold.
However, not all Sassa grant beneficiaries qualify for NSFAS funding.
Which Sassa Grant Beneficiaries Qualify For NSFAS?
Sassa grant beneficiaries who benefit from the Foster Care, Care Dependency, and Child Support Grants qualify for NSFAS funding. They must be registered at an institution and be academically eligible.
An applicant or student who is a recipient of a Sassa grant, or who has been a Sassa grant recipient of the Care Dependency, Child Support and Foster Care grants within the previous three years of applying for financial aid from NSFAS, but excludes those in receipt of the Social Relief of Distress grant.
NSFAS confirmed that recipients of the Social Relief of Distress grant do not automatically qualify for funding and may be subject to NSFAS’ household income checks.
