NSFAS Bursary 2025 – Know Application Process and Expenses Covered by NSFAS Funding

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was founded to support economically challenged and low-wage-earning South African students in achieving their higher education goals. This bursary programme focuses on the government’s intention to gradually implement fully funded tuition and training for economically backward candidates. This initiative led to the creation of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Scheme.

NSFAS offers financial assistance to qualifying students, allowing them to advance their education at public universities and TVET colleges without having to worry about paying tuition fees. Its mission is to encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds by making higher education accessible and affordable.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits, application process, eligibility criteria, and requirements for enroling in the NSFAS Bursary Scheme.

What is NSFAS Bursary?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government entity established under the NSFAS Act (Act 56 of 1999). Operating under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), NSFAS provides financial support to economically disadvantaged students who wish to pursue undergraduate studies at public universities and TVET colleges.

The bursary aims to alleviate the financial barriers that prevent deserving students from accessing higher education, ensuring that those from lower-income backgrounds have the opportunity to advance their academic and career prospects.

NSFAS Bursary 2025: Cohorts

When applying to the NSFAS Bursary 2025, students will be split into 5 separate cohorts, which are:

• Cohort 1: First-Time Entering Student (FTEN) who is a SASSA beneficiary
• Cohort 2: Returning Student who is a SASSA beneficiary
• Cohort 3: First-Time Entering Student who is NOT a SASSA beneficiary
• Cohort 4: Returning Student, who is NOT a SASSA beneficiary
• Cohort 5: Student living with disability

Eligibility Requirements For NSFAS Bursary

To qualify for funding, applicants must meet specific mandatory criteria. These criteria are essential as they ensure that applicants meet the necessary requirements for the funding opportunity. Failure to meet these criteria may result in the application’s disqualification.

1. Be a South African citizen.
2. Be studying or planning to study towards an undergraduate qualification in 2025.
3. Be enroled or planning to enrol in a public university or TVET college in South Africa.
4. Not have completed any previous qualifications.
5. Fall into at least one of these categories:
   • You are a SASSA grant recipient.
   • Your total combined household income is R350,000 or less per year.
   • You have a disability, and your total combined household income is R600,000 or less per year.
   • You started studying before 2018, and your total combined household income is R122,000 or less per year.

What are the Expenses Covered by NSFAS Bursary?

NSFAS provides financial support for different educational needs based on the type of institution and student requirements. TVET college students get help with accommodation, transport, and personal care, with amounts depending on where the college is. University students receive funding for tuition, books, personal care, and accommodation. Students with disabilities receive extra support, including assistive devices and human help, to ensure they can access education on an equal level.

TVET students will receive the following funding:

• Accommodation: Up to R24,000 per year in an urban area/ Up to R18,900 per year in a peri-urban area/ Up to R15,750 per year in a rural area
• Transport: Up to R7,350 per year
• Personal care allowance: Up to R2,900 per year

University of South Africa (UNISA) students will receive the following funding:

• Tuition
• Books (based on the number of registered modules)
• Personal care allowance

Students with disabilities will receive the following funding:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Transport
• Assistive devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, adapted laptops)
• Human support (careers, scribes, tutors, sign language interpreters)

List of Universities and Colleges accepted by NSFAS Bursary

NSFAS provides funding for students at many public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa. This wide coverage helps ensure that students across South Africa can get financial support. Listed below are some of the colleges and universities that are accepted by the NSFAS bursary:

Suggested: List of Courses Funded by NSFAS

What are the Allowances Provided by the NSFAS bursary?

NSFAS funding will cover:

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees
• Study materials
• Food allowance
• Personal care expenses
• Accommodation or transport

University students will receive:

• Accommodation: The amount charged by the university or the equivalent for private accommodation.
• Transport: Up to R7,500 per year (for distances up to 40 km from the institution).
• Living allowance: Up to R15,000 per year.
• Book allowance: Up to R5,200 per year.
• Personal care allowance: Up to R2,900 per year (if living in a catered residence).

How To Apply For NSFAS Bursary?

Applications must be submitted online at the NSFAS 2025 Application portal.

You can apply using any device with internet access, such as a cellphone, tablet, laptop, or computer.

Follow these steps to submit your application for NSFAS funding:

• Step 1: Visit my NSFAS portal.
• Step 2: Select the “Create an account” tab and fill in your ID number, first and last name, email address, contact number, and chosen password.
• Step 3: Validate your account and the information you provided.
• Step 4: After creating your account, select the “Login” tab and log in with your ID number and password.
• Step 5: Fill in all the required information and upload your supporting documents.

If you have already applied, qualified, and received funding, you do not have to reapply each year. You will automatically be funded for the duration of your studies, provided you pass your modules and meet the academic requirements. Know more about the online application process for bursaries.

Documents Required for NSFAS Application

All applicants must submit the following supporting documents when applying. Make sure you have these documents ready before submitting your application, as no applications will be accepted without them:

South African ID document (any of the following):

1. Copy of green ID document
2. Temporary ID from the DHA
3. Copy of both sides of the Smart ID card
4. Unabridged birth certificate

Non-SASSA grant applicants: Parents, guardians, or spouse ID documents (copies only)

Own, parents, guardians, or spouse proof of income if a non-SASSA applicant (any of the following):

1. Latest payslip if employed (not older than 3 months)
2. UIF letter
3. Employment letter
4. Retrenchment letter if a non-SASSA applicant

Students with disabilities: Complete and sign the Disability Annexure A Form (PDF) and submit proof of disability and a quotation for assistive devices.

Students recognised as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development: Complete and sign the Vulnerable Child Declaration Form (PDF)

NSFAS Bursary Closing Date?

The application for NSFAS bursary will close on 15th December 2024.

Note: It is crucial to check the website to stay updated on these deadlines regularly. Keeping informed about the dates ensures that you submit your application on time and do not miss out on this opportunity.

NSFAS Bursary Contact Detail

For more information or assistance regarding NSFAS funding, students can contact the NSFAS support team through various channels. Whether you have questions about the NSFAS application process, eligibility criteria, required documents, or any other aspect of the bursary programme, the NSFAS support team is available to help.

• Tel: 0860 067 327
• Email: info@nsfas.org.za

NSFAS Achievements

• From 2018 to 2021, NSFAS funding for poor and working-class students at universities and TVET colleges saw a significant increase of 107%, rising from R20 billion in 2018 to R42 billion in 2021.
• In the 2020 academic year, NSFAS provided full funding to 489,912 university students and 261,404 TVET college students.
• The demographic breakdown of funded students in 2020 was predominantly African (92.9%), with Coloured (4.2%), White (0.9%), Indian (0.7%), and other groups (1.4%).
• In 2018, 61.5% of NSFAS-funded students were female, reflecting the overall percentage of female undergraduate students in public universities.
• By 2020, the number of female students funded by NSFAS increased by 30.6%, from 360,344 in 2018 to 470,696 in 2020.

Additionally, NSFAS funding grew from R5.9 billion in the 2014/2015 academic year to approximately R35 billion by the 2020/2021 academic year.

Conclusion

NSFAS is crucial for helping economically disadvantaged South African students access higher education. It provides full funding for tuition, accommodation, transport, and study materials. NSFAS offers fair opportunities through different student groups and a straightforward application process. Once awarded, funding continues as long as students meet academic standards. This commitment promotes educational equity and prepares a skilled workforce for South Africa’s future. Interested applicants should check the NSFAS website regularly for application deadlines to be updated on these opportunities.

For quick quotes and guidance on bursary applications, reach out to Regenesys expert counsellors today. Contact them now to get started on your educational journey!

NSFAS Bursary 2025 – FAQs