VerifiedAll 50 public TVET colleges offer NSFAS to eligible students. No private college is NSFAS-funded, even if it uses “TVET” or “FET” in its name. The practical question is whether you and your programme qualify.
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Does your situation qualify?
| Check | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Institution | One of the 50 public TVET colleges |
| Citizenship | South African citizen or permanent resident |
| Income | Household income of R350,000 a year or less (R600,000 with a disability) |
| Programme | A DHET-approved programme: PLP, NC(V), Report 191 up to N6, or an approved occupational programme |
| Previous study | Not already funded beyond N+1, and not a second qualification at the same level |
What NSFAS covers at a TVET college
- Tuition, paid to the college.
- Allowances: personal care plus accommodation or transport.
- Not a learning materials allowance, except for students with disabilities.
- Some occupational programmes carry no allowances.
Keeping your funding
Continuing TVET students must pass at least 70% of their enrolled modules and meet subject rules: five NC(V) subjects, or three N-course subjects, per level.
Check that a college is public before you pay anything. Private colleges that claim to be NSFAS-funded are misleading you. Find public colleges in our directory of all 50 public TVET colleges.
See applying for NSFAS as a TVET student and KZN colleges.
Frequently asked questions
Do all TVET colleges accept NSFAS?
All 50 public TVET colleges do. Private colleges are not NSFAS-funded.
Does NSFAS pay for the Pre-Vocational Learning Programme?
Yes, but only for one term under the 2026 criteria.