NSFAS funding

What Does NSFAS Cover

NSFAS funding covers the costs of studying at a public university or TVET college. Where a student qualifies and is funded at UNISA, NSFAS pays the following directly to the institution or to the student:

• Registration and tuition fees, paid directly to the institution.
• Learning Material Allowance (LMA) for books and other learning materials:
  • • R660 per module for the first 4 modules.
    • R5,678 in total for students registered for 5 or more modules per academic year.

• Incidental allowance of R316.70 per month for 10 months for qualifying students registered for 10 or more modules in an academic year. Registration and tuition fees, paid directly to the institution.

NSFAS does not cover certain costs, including historic debt, student card fees, library fines, and fees for or supplementary exams. Students remain personally responsible for these costs.

Who Qualifies for NSFAS bursary Funding

To qualify for NSFAS funding, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Be a South African citizen or permanent resident.
• Be registered, or intending to register, for an approved qualification at a public university or TVET college.
• Come from a household with a combined gross annual income that does not exceed the NSFAS threshold of R350,000 per year
• Returning students must also meet the academic progression requirements set by their institution and NSFAS, including the N+ rule, to continue receiving funding.

Incarcerated Students

Incarcerated students may qualify for NSFAS funding if they meet all the applicable NSFAS eligibility and academic requirements and are registered at a public university or TVET college. Incarcerated students who are approved and funded by NSFAS receive the NSFAS allowances as other qualifying NSFAS-funded students.

Students can apply for NSFAS funding online through the official NSFAS website.

To apply:

1. Visit the NSFAS website.
2. Create a myNSFAS profile if you do not already have one.
3. Complete all the required personal, academic and household information.
4. Upload any supporting documents requested by NSFAS.
5. Submit your application before the applicable closing date.
6. Log in to your myNSFAS account regularly to check your application status and respond to any requests for additional information or documents.

Important:>Applications are free. Students should apply directly through the official NSFAS website and should not pay anyone to submit an application on their behalf. If an application is unsuccessful, the student may be able to submit an appeal through their myNSFAS profile, subject to the applicable NSFAS appeal rules and deadlines.

NSFAS Application Requirements for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may apply for NSFAS funding if they meet the applicable NSFAS eligibility and academic requirements.

When applying for NSFAS funding, students with disabilities are required to provide additional supporting documentation to confirm their disability. This information is used by NSFAS to assess the student's application and determine whether the student qualifies for the applicable disability-related support, for example assistive devices like hearing aids and human support.

Students with disabilities must submit the following:

• A medical report confirming and providing details of the student's disability.
• A completed NSFAS Disability Annexure.
• Any other supporting documents that NSFAS may request during the application or assessment process.

The medical report should provide sufficient information about the student's disability and should be completed or issued by an appropriate medical practitioner.

The NSFAS Disability Annexure must be completed accurately and submitted together with the required medical documentation. Students should ensure that all required sections are completed and that the information provided is consistent with the supporting medical report.

Important to note: Applications are completed online on the NSFAS website. When completing your application, please ensure that you indicate that you are a student with a disability, where applicable.

Important Notice

Funding can be revoked by NSFAS even after finalisation of your registration, leaving you liable for your tuition fees and repayment of allowances if you are later found to:

1. Exceed the N+ rule or academic progression requirements.
2. Exceed the household income threshold.
3. Have submitted false, incomplete, or fraudulent information or documentation.
4. No longer meet the enrolment requirements. (E,g duplicate registration, switching qualifications mid-year, enrolling at an incorrect institution not in accordance with your funding etc.)
5. Please note that UNISA does not approve or reject applications and appeals on NSFAS’s behalf.  Applications and appeals are administered by NSFAS.

The N+ Rule

The N+ rule determines the maximum length of time NSFAS will fund a student for a qualification. "N" refers to the minimum number of years required to complete the qualification, and the additional year(s) allowed for academic setbacks.

Every year a student is registered counts toward the N+ calculation, irrespective of if modules were passed or not, and if NSFAS funded that particular year or not.

Once a student exceeds their N+ limit, NSFAS funding may be revoked, and the student becomes responsible for their own fees.

Please note that students that have completed their Higher Certificate must reapply for NSFAS during the annual NSFAS applications for funding for their diploma/degree.

Appealing A Rejection

Appeals are submitted through the myNSFAS portal within the timelines communicated by NSFAS

Common reasons for a successful appeal include serious illness lasting two months or more, a death in the immediate family, being the victim of a violent crime, or pregnancy and childbirth during the academic term.

Supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate or death certificate, must accompany the appeal.

NSFAS reserves the right to validate all appeal documentation.

NSFAS FAQs

 What if I have an existing myNSFAS account but I have forgotten my old username, password and cell phone number. How do I reset my profile?

Follow the steps below to reset your myNSFAS login details:

STEP 1 – Go to: www.nsfas.org.za , click on NSFAS funding and then click on ‘forgot password’

STEP 2 - Type in your ID number and choose what you require help with: password or username or both and then click on ‘submit’.

STEP 3 - The username and the link to change your password will be sent via SMS and email.

 STEP 4 - Open the link and you’ll be redirected to the reset password page.

 STEP 5 - Reset your password by following the prompts on your screen.

If your NSFAS application for 2026 was rejected, you can appeal within 30 days by submitting relevant documents through the myNSFAS portal.

Steps to Appeal Your NSFAS Application

1. Log into Your myNSFAS Account: Access your account to check your application status and the specific reason for rejection.
2. Submit Your Appeal: Click on the “Submit Appeal” option. Ensure that you do this within 30 days of receiving your rejection notification.
3. Include Required Documents: Your appeal must include supporting documents that address the reason for your rejection.

Common documents include:

• Proof of changed financial circumstances (e.g., retrenchment letter, death certificate).
• Medical reports if your academic performance was affected by illness.
• Any other relevant documentation that supports your case.

Who Can Appeal?

You can appeal if:

• Your application was rejected due to exceeding the income threshold.
• You did not meet academic requirements.
• You failed to submit all required documents or submitted incorrect ones.

Important Considerations

• Deadline: Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the rejection notice. Late appeals will not be considered.
• No Fees: There are no fees associated with submitting an appeal.
• Review Process: After submission, NSFAS will review your appeal. You can track the status of your appeal through your myNSFAS account.

Refund Process

A refund may apply where a funded student, or an institution paid on the student's behalf.

• Refunds often commence in the following year, after the registration period
• Refunds will only be released to the student once NSFAS has paid the institution the full cost for the year the refund was paid
• Before a refund can be processed: Any outstanding fees on your student account must first be settled. If there are outstanding fees, the amount owed will be deducted from the refund, and only the remaining balance will be refunded to you.
• Refunds that are less than 10k are processed automatically. Initiation from the student is not required, and no documents are required.

• Refunds of R10 000 and above, students are required to submit supporting documents before the refund can be processed. The following documents are required:

• Completed refund form – The student must complete all the required sections of the refund form and ensure that the information provided is correct.
• Recently certified copy of the student's ID – A clear and valid certified copy of the student's identification document must be submitted.
• Proof of payment – The student must provide proof showing that the payment was made to the institution.
• Consent letters if payment was made by a third party
• Third-party certified ID copy – Where the payment was made by a third party on behalf of the student, a certified copy of the third party's ID must also be submitted.
  • Proof of banking details – The student must provide valid proof of the bank account into which the refund should be paid.
• Company payment made in form a loan to student – If the payment was made from a company as a loan, the student must provide:
  • A copy of the loan agreement; and
  • Proof that the student is repaying the loan.

Please note: Company Payments and NSFAS Funding

NSFAS is considered a secondary/top-up funder. If a company has paid towards your fees, NSFAS will only cover the remaining eligible amount, and the company payment will not be refunded. A company payment may only be considered for a refund if the company provided the student with a loan. In this case, the student must provide proof that the payment was a loan.

Funding/registration process for the student ’’Eligible for NSFAS funding’’

1. NSFAS assesses the application and confirms the student as eligible for funding.
2. NSFAS communicates the funding decision to the institution.
3. The institution activates the student’s registration upon receipt of funding confirmation.
4. NSFAS covers the approved costs for the current academic year in line with NSFAS rules.
5. Institution submits the claim to NSFAS and the student status changes to registration received on the portal (reflect the Institution name that submitted the claim).
6. Tuition and registration fees are settled directly with the institution.
7. Student allowances (where applicable) are disbursed according to NSFAS allowance guidelines.
8. Any outstanding historical debt not covered by NSFAS remains the responsibility of the student.

Important to note

Funding outcomes will be communicated via your myNSFAS portal. Please note that UNISA will also receive approved list of funded students from NSFAS.

Important Reminders

• Only apply through the official NSFAS website or the myNSFAS portal.
• Keep your contact and banking details up to date to avoid delays with allowances or refunds.
• Meeting academic progression requirements each year is essential to keep your funding active.
• Respond promptly to any request for documentation, as incomplete submissions are a common cause of delays and rejections.
• Be cautious of scams. UNISA will never ask for payment or personal banking details through unofficial channels or social media accounts.
• Familiarise yourself with your bursary guidelines, and terms and conditions.

Other NSFAS Administered Bursaries

Students funded under the following bursaries must renew their funding directly with their funder during the applicable application windows. Visit each funder's website for more information:

• Funza Lushaka: www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za
• Department of Military Veterans (DMV): www.dmv.gov.za
• Department of Justice (TRC): www.justice.gov.za
• Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID): <www.labour.gov.za

Funza Lushaka Bursary

The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a government-funded bursary programme aimed at increasing the number of qualified teachers in South African public schools. The programme provides financial support to eligible students who are studying towards an approved teaching qualification in areas where teachers are needed.

The bursary is a multi-year bursary, subject to the student continuing to meet the programme's academic, eligibility and other requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee that a student will receive the bursary. Applications are assessed and funding is subject to the available allocation and programme priorities

Who Qualifies for the Funza Lushaka Bursary?

Applicants must generally:

• Be a South African citizen with a valid South African ID.
• Be 30 years or younger if applying for the first time.
• Be accepted or registered at an approved public higher education institution.
• Be studying towards an approved initial teacher education qualification, such as a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or an approved Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
• Meet the applicable academic requirements.
• Meet the required admission requirements for the teaching qualification.
• Be willing to teach in a public school after completing the qualification.
• Be willing to teach in a subject or phase identified as a priority area by the programme.
• Meet any additional requirements specified by Funza Lushaka for the relevant academic year.

What does the Funza lushaka bursary cover?

• Tuition fees
• Transport, where the student stays at home or with relatives and meets the applicable requirements
• Meals
• Learning materials, including books and other required study materials
• Personal care allowance
• Teaching practice-related support, where applicable

How do I apply for Funza Lushaka bursary?

Applications are completed online through the e-Government portal.

Students should:

1. Visit the e-Government portal. www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za
2. Register by providing the required personal information.
3. Log in using the username and password created during registration.
4. Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme from the e-Services menu.
5. Enter the OTP received through the preferred communication channel.
6. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
7. Select the application for the relevant academic year.
8. Complete all the required information.
9. Submit the application.

When Can I Apply?

Funza Lushaka applications open annually. Application dates may change each year. Students should always check the official Funza Lushaka website for the application dates applicable to the relevant academic year.

Students should understand that receiving Funza Lushaka funding in one academic year does not automatically guarantee funding in subsequent years. Students who receive the bursary are required to teach in a provincial education department/public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary.

DMV (Department of Military Veterans) Bursary?

The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) provides education support to eligible military veterans and their dependants to assist them with their studies. The education benefit may support students studying at approved public institutions and is intended to assist eligible beneficiaries with the costs of obtaining an approved qualification. The DMV's education support includes both basic and tertiary education.

Who Can Qualify for the DMV Bursary?

The DMV education benefit is intended for:

• Eligible military veterans; and
• Eligible dependants of military veterans.

If you are applying as a dependant of a military veteran, you may be required to provide documentation proving your relationship to the military veteran and the military veteran's eligibility. The DMV bursary covers both postgraduate and undergraduate qualifications.

What Does the DMV Bursary Cover?

The bursary is intended to assist with approved study-related costs.

Depending on the applicable funding arrangements, the education benefit may cover costs such as:

• Tuition fees
• Registration fees
• Learning materials and books
• Once off laptop
• Living or personal care allowance

How Do I Apply for the DMV Bursary?

Students should follow the application process communicated by the Department of Military Veterans for the relevant academic year. Military Veterans webpage: www.dmv.gov.za

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bursary (www.justice.gov.za)

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bursary is an education assistance programme administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for people who were identified as victims of apartheid by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as their qualifying dependants and relatives. The programme provides financial assistance for education at approved public institutions. NSFAS administers the funding on behalf of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Who Qualifies for TRC Education Assistance?

• You were declared a victim by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); or
• You are a qualifying dependant or relative of a person who was identified as a TRC victim.

Qualifying relatives may include:

• A parent or person who had parental responsibility for the victim.
• A spouse of the victim.
• A child of the victim, including a child born in or out of wedlock or a legally adopted child.
• Other qualifying dependants who were legally or customarily supported by the TRC-identified victim.

What Are the Household Income Requirements?

For higher education and training assistance, the applicant must:

• Be a member of a household with a gross annual income of less than R818,827; and
• Be a member of a vulnerable household; and
• Be enrolled at a public university or TVET college for an eligible undergraduate programme.

What Does the TRC Bursary Cover?

For qualifying higher education students, TRC education assistance may cover approved education-related costs, including:

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees
• Prescribed textbooks (LMA)
• Transport allowance
• Meal allowance
• A once-off device, where applicable

How Do I Apply for TRC Education Assistance?

Applications are made through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development – TRC Unit.

TRC Education email: TRCEducation@justice.gov.za

COID / Compensation Fund Bursary

The Compensation Fund External Bursary is an education and vocational rehabilitation bursary provided by the Compensation Fund, under the Department of Employment and Labour.  The student should apply for the bursary on a yearly basis.

The bursary is intended to support:

• Unemployed COID beneficiaries who have suffered an occupational injury or disease and have a permanent disablement.
• Dependants of COID beneficiaries with a permanent disablement.
• Dependants of employees who died as a result of an occupational injury or disease.

The programme is intended to assist eligible beneficiaries with education, training, rehabilitation and opportunities to return to the workplace or become self-employed.

Who Qualifies for the COID Bursary?

You may qualify if you fall into one of the following categories:

1. COID beneficiary with a permanent disablement

You may qualify if you:

• Suffered an occupational injury or contracted an occupational disease.
• Were assessed as having a permanent disablement as a result.
• Are unemployed.
• Meet the other requirements of the Compensation Fund.
• Are studying or have been accepted at an eligible public education or training institution.

2. Dependant of a COID beneficiary with a permanent disablement

You may qualify if you are a dependant of a COID beneficiary who has a permanent disablement resulting from an occupational injury or disease.

3. Dependant of a fatally injured employee

Dependants of employees who died as a result of an occupational injury or disease may also qualify, subject to the applicable requirements. The applicant must meet the requirements specified by the Compensation Fund for the relevant academic year.

Which Institutions Can Be Funded?

• TVET College
• Community Education and Training (CET) College
• Higher Education Institution (HEI)

What Does the COID Bursary Cover?

The Compensation Fund External Bursary covers approved study-related costs, which include:

• Tuition fees
• Prescribed study material (LMA)
• Living/Personal care allowance

What Qualifications Can Be Funded?

For a COID beneficiary with a permanent disablement, the programme focuses on qualifications or programmes that can assist the beneficiary to:

• Return to the workplace;
• Be reintegrated into employment; or
• Become self-employed.

When Can I Apply?

The Compensation Fund announces bursary applications for each academic year.

The NSFAS Loan

What is the NSFAS loan

NSFAS mainly gives out bursaries to students from households earning under R350,000 per year. But since 2024, there's a separate loan scheme specifically for the "missing middle" which are students whose household income is higher than the NSFAS bursary income threshold but below R600,000. The NSFAS loan may fund students who are studying towards eligible undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, subject to the applicable NSFAS loan requirements

However, the NSFAS loan does not fund a second undergraduate qualification. Students who have already completed an undergraduate qualification and wish to study for another undergraduate qualification will not qualify for NSFAS loan funding for the second undergraduate qualification.

Who qualifies

You need to be a South African citizen or permanent resident with a combined household income between R350,001 and R600,000 per year. For students living with disabilities, the cap is R600,000 regardless of the lower threshold.

What it covers

The NSFAS loan covers tuition and allowances. The students may choose to claim for tuition fess only or tuition fees and allowances. The amount should be completed by the student on the NSFAS loan documents indicating what they need to claim (e.g tuition fees only or with allowances).  NSFAS allowances are calculated as follow: LMA is calculated at R660 per module for the first 4 modules,

• R5678 for 5 or more modules per academic year.
• Students registered for 10 or more modules qualify for incidental allowance of R316.70 per month for 10 months.
• Qualifying students will be sent a link on their mylife email to submit their banking details.

How to apply for the NSFAS loan

You apply through the NSFAS website (www.nsfas.org.za), sign in with your registered login details, and complete the application from there.

When applying be sure to specify whether you are applying for the bursary or the loan. The application procedure is essentially the same as for a bursary you accept similar terms and conditions upfront.

If your household income comes in above R350,000 but below R600,000, you might be considered for the loan instead.

If your household income comes in below R350,000, you might be considered for the NSFAS DHET bursary.

The registration process

Here is what to expect after your application

• NSFAS will assess your application
• Once your application has been approved, NSFAS will send the approved list to UNISA
• Thereafter, an administrator will send you a Loan Agreement Form, Quotation and Credit agreement form to complete and send back 
• Supporting documents required:
  • Recently certified copy of ID of student and Surety
  • Proof of income for both Surety and student
  • Proof of residence

Important notice: The loan agreement is the agreement between the student and NSFAS of the loan amount and conditions of the loan. Please note that repayment starts once the student obtains employment, with the repayment amount determined according to the applicable repayment agreements.

• Unisa will then send your registration data and completed documents to NSFAS and clear your fees once your registration data has been successfully captured.
• Please note that NSFAS loans are not guaranteed from just the application, thus students may need to secure their own registrations while awaiting loan application outcomes.

Important Notice

The NSFAS loan covers first undergraduate qualification and postgraduate qualifications in accordance with the NSFAS loan guidelines. Please note that applications are submitted and processed directly by NSFAS. For more information regarding the NSFAS loan, please visit the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za

<h3NSFAS Students Switching From One Institution to Another

NSFAS-funded students who are switching from another institution to UNISA should visit their nearest UNISA campus for assistance.

This is because these students may not appear on the returning NSFAS-funded student list received by UNISA from NSFAS. The campus visit is necessary to complete the process and ensure that the student's NSFAS funding details are loaded onto the UNISA system.

NSFAS Contact Details

NSFAS Virtual Contact Centre:

• Toll-free: 0800 067 327
• General enquiries email: info@nsfas.org.za
• Payments and balance enquiries email: collections@nsfas.org.za 
• WhatsApp: +27 63 093 5671
• USSD: *120*67327#
• Fraud and ethics hotline email: speakup@nsfas.org.za 
• Physical address: The Halyard, 4 Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001

Students can also check their application/appeal status through the myNSFAS portal at my.nsfas.org.za