VerifiedNSFAS assists students in public universities and TVET colleges in two main ways: a bursary for students from households earning up to R350,000 a year, and a student loan for households earning between R350,001 and R600,000. It also has extra support for students with disabilities.
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Step 3: Describe Your Interest
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The two NSFAS products
| NSFAS bursary | NSFAS student loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Household income | Up to R350,000 (R600,000 with a disability) | R350,001 to R600,000 |
| Repayable? | No | Yes |
| Covers | Tuition and allowances | Tuition, learning material and accommodation or transport; not living or personal allowances |
What the bursary pays for
- Tuition, paid directly to your institution.
- At TVET colleges: personal care plus accommodation or transport.
- At universities: allowances including a learning material allowance that can cover a device.
- For students with disabilities: learning materials and assistive devices.
How NSFAS supports you during your studies
- Continuing students do not reapply each year while they stay eligible.
- Appeals are possible within 30 working days on grounds such as illness or changed household income.
- Qualifying students do not pay the initial registration fee.
NSFAS funding depends on your academic progress: continuing TVET students must pass 70% of enrolled modules, university students 50%.
Source: NSFAS’s 2026 eligibility criteria. See why applications are unsuccessful.
Frequently asked questions
Is NSFAS a loan or a bursary?
For households earning up to R350,000 it is a bursary, which is not repaid. A separate NSFAS student loan exists for households earning R350,001 to R600,000.
Does NSFAS help students with disabilities?
Yes. It applies a higher income limit, allows extra study time and can fund assistive devices.