NSFAS Bursary Application for 2025-2026 Season

NSFAS Bursary Application for 2025-2026 Season Now Opened: A Guide on How to Apply NSFAS Online 2025

Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, has called upon all prospective students and those lacking financial means to continue their education to apply for the 2025 funding offered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The application window, which commenced on November 21, 2024, will remain open until January 31, 2025.

This early opening of applications aligns with the conclusion of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) tax period, a vital factor in NSFAS’s ability to access current financial data for application processing. This strategic timing aims to expedite decision-making for applicants, relying on the latest SARS information for financial eligibility assessments.

Dr Nzimande encourages students targeting public universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to apply promptly, stressing that applications are not contingent on matric results. NSFAS, committed to supporting students from financially constrained backgrounds, will make swift funding decisions for new students from families receiving assistance from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

In a significant move to streamline the application process, NSFAS will not require initial supporting documents, relying instead on partnerships with entities like SASSA, SARS, and the Department of Home Affairs for necessary verifications. However, NSFAS may request additional documents, such as verifying parental relationships in specific cases.

Students appealing NSFAS decisions must adhere to guidelines outlined on the NSFAS website, with disabled students needing to submit a disability annexure form due to a different assessment threshold.

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?

All South African citizens
All SASSA grant recipient qualifies for funding
Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
A person with a disability: combined household income must be more than R600 000 per annum
Students who started studying before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum

Who Should Not Apply?

Students who have completed a previous qualification.
Students with a combined household income of more than R350 000 per annum.
Students who have already applied, qualified and received funding. They are automatically funded for the duration of their studies provided they pass their modules and meet the academic requirement.

What does the bursary cover?

Amounts indicated for accommodation, living allowance, transport and learning materials need to be aligned with the approved latest DHET guidelines.

UNIVERSITY

Accommodation (As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7 500 per annum
Living allowance R15, 000 per annum
Book allowances R5200 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

TVET

Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
Accommodation in a peri-urban area is R18,900 per annum
Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum
Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350 per annum
Transport R7000 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

Dr. Nzimande emphasizes the importance of accurate parental information in applications to facilitate timely funding validations. NSFAS will reject applications or request further documents if third-party validations are unsuccessful. While first-time applicants can appeal immediately upon rejection, returning and continuing students will be eligible to appeal from the end of November, reflecting ongoing improvements in NSFAS’s processes.

NSFAS continues strengthening its controls to ensure only eligible students receive funding, collaborating with various public entities, including SARS and the Department of Home Affairs. In anticipation of the 2025 funding cycle, NSFAS has coordinated with the Department of Basic Education, identifying many matriculating students as SASSA beneficiaries.

Applicants are reminded that applying does not guarantee funding, which is contingent on registration in a public university or TVET College for an approved course.

NSFAS is introducing new features for the 2025 cycle, including a mobile app for various operating systems, featuring biometric capabilities to be introduced later. Plans are also underway to enhance query handling through expanded WhatsApp services, USSD, and chatbots, aiming to improve direct student communication and reduce dependence on phone calls.

Click HERE for details

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