How To Apply For NSFAS As A TVET College Student

Written by Thabo MokoenaSenior Education Editor

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

TVET college students apply for NSFAS online at nsfas.org.za, the same way as university students. You can apply before you have a college place, but NSFAS only pays once your public TVET college confirms your registration.

Who can apply

• South African citizens and permanent residents.
• Combined household income of R350,000 a year or less, or R600,000 with a disability.
• Students planning to study, or already studying, an approved programme at a public TVET college.
• SASSA grant recipients qualify on the financial test.

How to apply

1. Create an account on myNSFAS with your ID number, email and cellphone number.
2. Complete the application and choose TVET college as your institution type.
3. Upload any supporting documents requested, such as parent or guardian IDs and the signed consent form.
4. Submit and track your status on myNSFAS.
5. Apply for a place at a public TVET college separately, and register once you are accepted.

Documents

• Your ID or birth certificate.
• Parents’, guardian’s or spouse’s IDs, where applicable.
• Proof of income, where applicable.
• Disability annexure, vulnerable child declaration or Declaration: Non-SASSA, if your situation requires it.

Certified copies are no longer required, but documents must be clear.

TVET-specific rules

• Allowances: travel or accommodation, not both. No accommodation allowance if you live with relatives.
• Progression: pass at least 70% of your enrolled modules, and at least five NC(V) subjects or three N-course subjects per level, to keep funding.
• Occupational programme students receive allowances only in some cases.

See uploading NSFAS documents and who signs the consent form.

Frequently asked questions