National Student Financial
Aid Scheme
NSFAS — Empowering Students Since 1999
NSFAS is the leading body for funding students in South Africa. It offers full financial support to students from poor and working-class backgrounds, enabling them to pursue their studies at public universities and TVET colleges. This article will provide you with all the necessary information needed to determine your eligibility, official allowance dates, and how to register on the myNSFAS portal 2026.
Eligibility and Guidelines
📋 Am I eligible for NSFAS?
- ✓ You must be a South African citizen with valid ID proof.
- ✓ Your household income must be less than R350,000 per year. For people with disabilities, this ceiling is R600,000 per year.
💰 What Does NSFAS Pay for?
- ✓ Tuition: Full yearly study fees covered.
- ✓ Registration: Your upfront registration fees are paid.
- ✓ Living costs: Monthly money for food and transport.
- ✓ Housing: On-campus or approved private accommodation is paid.
- ✓ Study materials: Allowance for textbooks or a laptop.
📑 Documents You’ll Need
- ✓ Your certified South African ID copy
- ✓ Certified ID copies of your parents or legal guardians
- ✓ Proof of income, like payslips from the last 3 months (not older than 3 months)
- ✓ If you have a disability, fill out the Disability Annexure A form
- ✓ A consent form signed by your parent or guardian
NSFAS Funding History
Since 2018 NSFAS has been growing tremendously. More than 1.2 million students got full funding in 2025/2026. NSFAS now gets more than R50 billion annually from the government. This has enabled thousands of first-generation students to graduate successfully.
However, such rapid growth has brought its challenges.
How Much Do You Get in 2026? 2026 Allowances
NSFAS does not specify an amount. There are allowances.
2 factors will decide your total allowance:
- Institution of study – University or TVET college.
- Residence – On-campus hostel, off-campus accredited housing or at home. The amount for each of these categories is fixed.
Here are the actual numbers for 2026:
| Allowance Type | University Students | TVET Students |
|---|---|---|
| Living Allowance (Annual) | R17,190 | R7,350 (Urban) / R4,290 (Rural) |
| Learning Materials (Annual) | R5,460 | R3,045 |
| Incidental / Personal Care | R3,045 (Catered Residence Only) | Not Applicable |
| Accommodation | Up to R50,000 (Varies by City) | Up to R36,400 (Urban) |
| Travel (Students Living at Home) | R7,875 Annual | R7,350 Annual |
| Laptop (Once-Off) | Yes, First-Year Students | Yes, First-Year Students |
The N+1/N+2 Rule: Why NSFAS Funding Suddenly Ends
This is the rule that causes most students to have their NSFAS withdrawn each year; very few ever know about it until they hit it when NSFAS funding suddenly stops in their 3rd or 4th year.
“N” is the usual number of years for your course. A 3-year Bachelor’s course equals “N=3”. A 4-year Bachelor’s equals “N=4”
NSFAS funds your studies up to N+1 years. Thus, for a 3-year BSc, funding will be for 4 years in total.
NSFAS funds for an extra year if you have disabilities. You therefore receive N+2.
- The years spent at any public tertiary institution count toward the calculation. If you started a two-year BA and then moved to a BSc then those years would count.
- Failing a year doesn’t give you extra time. It counts under N+1
How to Manage if You’re Near the Deadline
- Visit the finance department at your institution before the next admission process.
- Request for an extension.
- You had an illness
- There was a death of a loved one
- The university made a mistake that caused the delay
“Fund Status” but Not Receiving Money? Try These 6 Methods
Most students report: “I have received Fund Status from NSFAS, but there is no money in my bank account.” Before you go to the administrative office on campus, check the following list.
Did your institution submit your application to NSFAS?
The funds only flow once your institution submits your registration process to NSFAS. Visit the faculty administrative office and inquire whether you submitted your registration process to NSFAS.
Is your NSFAS bank account activated?
From 2023, all funding will be channeled through the NSFAS bank account. Unless you open this bank account, money will not come.
Is your phone number correct?
If you got a new number and did not change it on myNSFAS, you will not get the OTP. Without OTP, your bank account will not be credited with the fund.
Have you signed the LAF or SOP form?
Login to your myNSFAS profile, navigate to Documents and check if LAF or SOP has Pending Signature, sign it. If you do not sign these forms, your funds will not be released.
Did your college mark you absent?
Your college reports to NSFAS every month who attended class. If you are marked absent in 3 subjects or more, your money will stop. Speak to your professors.
Still no money?
Email info@nsfas.org.za. In the email write:
- Your student number
- Your ID number
- A screenshot showing your “Funded” status
What Really Works: Appeals
If you are rejected by NSFAS, you have 30 days to appeal online on myNSFAS.
Appeals only work if you have proof. Saying, “I need money” will not work.
Family income change
If you applied and a parent lost their job, retired or died.
📄 Proof: UIF letter, retirement paper or death certificateWrong family size
If SARS records show your parents support more people than what you wrote in your form.
Poor grades due to valid reasons
In case you had been in hospital, your study materials got stolen, or you had been ill.
📄 Proof: hospital documents, police case number or doctor’s letterYou didn’t meet the deadline, but it’s not your fault
If it is your first application, and the university or Home Affairs is late in delivering the results or identity document.
Saying you need the money badly or that things have been difficult for you without evidence. Appeals without evidence always fall through.
University Vs TVET — The Rules are Not the Same
NSFAS funds both public universities and public TVET colleges. However, the rules do not apply similarly.
Lower payments for TVET to students’ living expenses
TVET students are paid about half of the money the university student is paid for living allowance due to short-term career focused courses.
Only public TVET Colleges are NSFAS-eligible
NSFAS covers NC(V), and N1 to N6 courses only at public TVET Colleges. Private institutions are excluded from NSFAS funding even if they offer the same course.
Both have the same income requirement
Family income should not exceed R350,000 per year. The SASSA grant qualifies applicants automatically.
TVET applications open several times a year
The application period for universities occurs once per year in August/September. TVET has application dates multiple times per year because of its trimester and semester enrollments.
| Aspect | University | TVET College |
|---|---|---|
| Living Allowance | Full amount | About half |
| Eligible Institutions | Public universities only | Public TVET only (not private) |
| Income Cap | R350,000/year | R350,000/year |
| Application Window | Once a year (Aug/Sept) | Multiple times a year |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Disclaimer: Information for guidance only. Confirm current 2026 NSFAS rules on the official website before making decisions.