Does NSFAS Pay If Fail?

NSFAS keeps paying for the academic year or term you are already funded for, as long as you stay registered. Failing affects what happens next: whether NSFAS funds your next year, level or repeat. The answer depends on how much you failed and how much funded time you have left.

During the year you fail

• Tuition for the period you were registered and funded is paid to your institution.
• Allowances continue while you are registered and attending. If you deregister or drop out, they stop.
• Your results are sent to NSFAS at the end of the year, term or trimester.

After the results

Result	Likely outcome
You met the progression rule	NSFAS funds the next year or level
You did not meet it but still have N+1 time left	You may be funded to repeat, using your extra year or term
You did not meet it and have used your extra time	Funding stops unless an appeal succeeds
You changed programme after failing	Usually no further funding, unless you were funded for only one term in the first programme

The progression rules

• University students: pass at least 50% of registered modules in the year (2026 criteria).
• TVET students: pass at least 70% of enrolled modules or courses, and for the NC(V), at least five subjects in the level completed.
• Report 191 N-course students: at least three subjects passed in the N-level completed.

Appealing

If serious circumstances caused the failure, such as illness of two months or more or a death in your immediate family, appeal on myNSFAS within 30 days of the outcome and attach proof.

Your NSFAS bursary agreement sets out your obligations. Read it before you sign, and keep a copy. For TVET-specific rules see can NSFAS fund me if I failed?.

Frequently asked questions