The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government agency that reports to the Ministry of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It offers study bursaries to qualified students planning to study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and public universities. Read through to get more information on Unisa student loans.
What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial assistance program designed to help students who do not have the financial means to attend tertiary education.
Under the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act of 1999, they established this initiative in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA).
NSFAS’s mission is to become an efficient and effective financial provider for students from low-income and working-class families.
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This is What the Scheme Does
- Supports access to and success in higher education and training for students from low-income and working-class families who could not otherwise afford to attend a TVET college or university.
- Bursaries are available to qualified students at TVET colleges and public universities.
What Does the NSFAS Bursary Cover?
NSFAS ensures students get the most out of their studies by making their educational journey enjoyable and free of financial burdens from registration to graduation.
They Cover Students Who are Approved for NSFAS Funding for the Following
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
They Also Receive Allowances for the Following
- Food
- Personal care
- Learning Material
- Accommodation or transport
Extra Support is Provided to Students Living With Disabilities
- Medical assessments: the Disability Unit/Student Support limits The assessment to one assessment for the duration of the qualification and on request.
- Assistive devices: Limited to one assistive device for the duration of the qualification.
- Human support: To cover the cost of human support such as a caregiver, guide-dog, scribe, tutor, or sign language interpreter
Who Qualifies for NSFAS Funding?
If you are a South African citizen planning to study at a public university or TVET college and fall into one or more of the following categories, you are eligible for an NSFAS bursary:
- All SASSA grant recipients.
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per year.
- Persons with disabilities’ combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per year.
- Students who started studying before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per year.
Eligibility and Funding Conditions for Financial Aid
Download the 2024 NSFAS Eligibility criteria and funding (PDF)
