The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays a crucial role in supporting South African students by removing financial barriers to higher education. For the 2025 academic year, NSFAS continues to offer comprehensive funding for students at public universities and TVET colleges.
Below is a detailed breakdown of what NSFAS covers in 2025.
NSFAS covers the full cost of tuition for all approved courses at:
Public universities – Funding for all tuition fees as per your chosen degree or diploma.
TVET colleges – Support for tuition costs in NSFAS-approved vocational courses.
Important: Private institutions are not covered by NSFAS funding.
NSFAS provides accommodation funding for students who require housing while studying.
University students: Coverage for on-campus or NSFAS-approved off-campus accommodation.
TVET students: Funding for on-campus housing or private accredited accommodation.
Note: Accommodation costs vary by location and must fall within NSFAS-approved rates.
To ensure students have proper nutrition, NSFAS provides a monthly meal allowance.
University students in NSFAS-funded accommodation receive meal allowances.
TVET students may also qualify depending on their living arrangements.
NSFAS provides funding for textbooks, laptops, and study materials:
University students: A yearly learning materials allowance.
TVET college students: Funding for textbooks and course-specific study materials.
Tip: This allowance helps students buy essential learning tools for their courses.
TVET college students receive a monthly personal care allowance to cover basic necessities, such as toiletries and hygiene products.
For students who live off-campus, NSFAS provides a transport allowance:
University students – If you live off-campus, you may qualify for monthly travel support.
TVET students – If you reside more than 10 km from your college, NSFAS provides transport funding.
Plan ahead: Transport allowances help cover travel costs but vary based on location.
NSFAS offers extra financial support to students with disabilities, including:
Assistive devices – Such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and learning tools.
Human support – Funding for scribes, carers, or personal assistants.
Higher transport allowances – To assist with mobility needs.
Students with disabilities have a higher income threshold (R600,000/year) for NSFAS eligibility.
Digital learning made accessible! NSFAS provides funding for students to purchase a laptop through approved service providers.
This initiative ensures equal access to digital learning platforms and online resources.
Opening Date: September 2024
Closing Date: 31 January 2025
Apply early to secure your funding!
For the latest updates and to apply, visit: www.nsfas.org.za
Secure your future—apply for NSFAS today!
Below is a detailed breakdown of what NSFAS covers in 2025.
Tuition Fees
NSFAS covers the full cost of tuition for all approved courses at: Public universities – Funding for all tuition fees as per your chosen degree or diploma. TVET colleges – Support for tuition costs in NSFAS-approved vocational courses. Important: Private institutions are not covered by NSFAS funding.
Accommodation
NSFAS provides accommodation funding for students who require housing while studying. University students: Coverage for on-campus or NSFAS-approved off-campus accommodation. TVET students: Funding for on-campus housing or private accredited accommodation. Note: Accommodation costs vary by location and must fall within NSFAS-approved rates.
Meal Allowances
To ensure students have proper nutrition, NSFAS provides a monthly meal allowance. University students in NSFAS-funded accommodation receive meal allowances. TVET students may also qualify depending on their living arrangements.
Learning Materials Allowance
NSFAS provides funding for textbooks, laptops, and study materials: University students: A yearly learning materials allowance. TVET college students: Funding for textbooks and course-specific study materials. Tip: This allowance helps students buy essential learning tools for their courses.
Personal Care Allowance (TVET Students Only)
TVET college students receive a monthly personal care allowance to cover basic necessities, such as toiletries and hygiene products.
Transport Allowance
For students who live off-campus, NSFAS provides a transport allowance: University students – If you live off-campus, you may qualify for monthly travel support. TVET students – If you reside more than 10 km from your college, NSFAS provides transport funding. Plan ahead: Transport allowances help cover travel costs but vary based on location.
Additional Support for Students with Disabilities
NSFAS offers extra financial support to students with disabilities, including: Assistive devices – Such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and learning tools. Human support – Funding for scribes, carers, or personal assistants. Higher transport allowances – To assist with mobility needs. Students with disabilities have a higher income threshold (R600,000/year) for NSFAS eligibility.
NSFAS Laptop Allowance
Digital learning made accessible! NSFAS provides funding for students to purchase a laptop through approved service providers. This initiative ensures equal access to digital learning platforms and online resources.
Important Dates for 2025 NSFAS Applications
Opening Date: September 2024 Closing Date: 31 January 2025 Apply early to secure your funding!Final Thoughts
NSFAS funding for the 2025 academic year covers tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, learning materials, and more, ensuring that eligible students can focus on their education without financial stress. For the latest updates and to apply, visit: www.nsfas.org.za Secure your future—apply for NSFAS today!