VerifiedNSFAS does not pay one fixed amount per student. It pays your registration and tuition directly to your institution, and then allowances that depend on where you study, where you live and what programme you are on. The exact caps change each year, so check the current NSFAS guidelines rather than figures copied from older articles.
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What the NSFAS bursary covers
| Cost | Who receives the money | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration and tuition | Your university or TVET college | Qualifying students are not required to pay the initial registration fee |
| Learning materials | Paid as an allowance | Books and study materials |
| Accommodation or transport | Accommodation paid according to the lease, within caps | TVET students get one or the other, not both |
| Living and personal care allowances | Paid to the student | Distance TVET students receive the personal care allowance only |
Special cases for TVET students
- Living with relatives or family near campus means no accommodation allowance; you receive transport support instead.
- If you do not provide proof of your home address, you automatically receive the travel allowance.
- Occupational programme students receive allowances only while in simulated training, not if they have an employment contract with a stipend.
The NSFAS student loan
Students from households earning between R350,001 and R600,000 a year can apply for the NSFAS student loan. It covers tuition, learning materials and accommodation or transport, but not living or personal allowances, and it must be repaid.
Current allowance amounts are published by NSFAS on nsfas.org.za.
Frequently asked questions
Does NSFAS pay my tuition to me?
No. Tuition and registration go directly to the institution. Only allowances are paid to students.
Can a TVET student get both accommodation and transport allowances?
No. TVET students qualify for either the accommodation allowance or the travel allowance.