NSFAS Unisa Allowances 2025-2026

As the 2025-2026 academic year approaches, Unisa students are preparing for another year of academic pursuits, challenges and opportunities. For Applicants or Students, financial support from the NSFAS is essential in facilitating their studies.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is an essential source of support for students attending the University of South Africa (UNISA) and other higher education institutions in the country. NSFAS will provide financial assistance to UNISA students in the 2025-2026 academic year through allowances to ease the cost and provide a positive atmosphere for learning.

This financial chance can greatly improve students’ lives, allowing them to focus entirely on their studies and achieve their learning objectives. You must fulfil specific requirements to be eligible for the UNISA NSFAS allowance for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Who is eligible to receive the NSFAS allowances in 2025-2026

SASSA grant recipients
South African citizens or permanent residents
Candidates whose annual gross household income combined is not greater than R350 000
individuals with disabilities whose gross yearly family income is not greater than R600,000.
Both a cell phone number and email address are required.

Who can’t receive Unisa NSFAS allowances?

Your NSFAS application will not be considered if you

received NSFAS funding in 2023.
have already completed an undergraduate degree or diploma.
are not a South African citizen.
need funding for a Short Learning Certificate or Programme or a postgraduate qualification.

What does the NSFAS Bursary Cover?

University of South Africa (UNISA) will receive funding for:

Tuition
Books (subject to the number of modules registered)
Personal care allowance

NSFAS Unisa Student Allowances 2025-2026

NSFAS pays R700 per module for the first 4 modules, R5460 for 5 or more modules per academic year, and Students registered for 10 or more modules qualify for an incidental allowance of R304.50 per month for 10 months. Below is a breakdown of NSFAS Allowances for university 2025-2026;

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

How are NSFAS allowances paid?

NSFAS allowances are paid by the NSFAS service provider COINVEST. Coinvest will communicate with students to onboard/register to receive their allowances. Students are required to onboard/register on the co-invest platform to receive the NSFAS MasterCard and digital money account.

Types of NSFAS Allowances for Unisa Students

NSFAS provides various allowances to cover essential educational and living expenses;

Tuition Fees
Learning Material Allowance
Living Allowance
Travel Allowance
Accommodation Allowance

Procedure For UNISA NSFAS Applications 2025-2026

Follow the process below to apply online for the NSFAS bursaries for 2025-2026:

Create a profile:

Use this link to register for a myNSFAS account: https://my.nsfas.org.za/ or get the NSFAS App from the App Store or Google Play. Your username will be your ID number.