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Having your tuition paid is only half of what NSFAS does. The other half is the allowances — real money paid to students each month for food, transport, accommodation and study materials. This page breaks down what you receive, how the payments reach you, what to do if you are rejected, and the other legitimate bursaries worth knowing about.

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The Allowances You Can Receive

On top of tuition and registration being paid directly to your institution, NSFAS provides allowances that go to you. Depending on your situation, these can include:

  • Living / personal care allowance — a monthly amount for everyday personal needs.
  • Learning materials (book) allowance — for prescribed books and study materials.
  • Transport allowance — for students who live within a set distance of campus and travel in.
  • Accommodation allowance — for university residence fees or approved private student housing.

The exact rand values are set and capped by NSFAS each year, and university and TVET allowances differ. Always confirm the current figures on www.nsfas.org.za, as they are reviewed annually.

How the Allowances Are Paid

Allowances are typically paid monthly during the academic year, so students have steady support rather than one lump sum. Tuition and registration are paid straight to the institution, while your personal allowances are disbursed to you through the payment method NSFAS is using for your institution — historically this has included direct bank transfers and, at times, the NSFAS wallet system. Check your myNSFAS account and your institution’s financial aid office for the current method that applies to you.

Make Sure Your Details Are Correct

Late or missing allowance payments are usually a data problem — an incorrect banking detail, an unverified account or an incomplete registration at the institution. Keep your contact and banking information up to date in myNSFAS, register on time each year, and follow up with your college or university financial aid office if a payment is delayed. Never share your login or banking PIN with anyone claiming they can “release” your money.

What to Do If You Are Rejected

A rejection is not always final. NSFAS runs a formal appeals process:

  • Log in to myNSFAS and check the exact reason your application was declined.
  • If you believe the decision was wrong, or your financial circumstances changed, submit an appeal within the published deadline.
  • Attach supporting documents that address the specific reason for rejection.
  • Track the appeal outcome in your myNSFAS account.

Deadlines are strict, so act as soon as you see the result. Not every rejection can be appealed successfully, but many students are funded after a valid appeal.

Other Bursaries Worth Applying For

NSFAS is the largest scheme, but applying to more than one improves your chances — especially if you fall just outside the income threshold. Options worth knowing include:

  • Funza Lushaka — a government bursary for students training to become teachers in priority subjects. It covers tuition and living costs in exchange for teaching in a public school after you qualify.
  • Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) bursaries — funding tied to specific industries and scarce-skills fields.
  • Company and foundation bursaries — many large employers and charitable foundations fund students, often in engineering, accounting, IT and health.
  • University merit and need bursaries — check directly with your institution’s financial aid office.

Keep Your Funding Year on Year

NSFAS funding continues only if you meet the academic progression rules — passing a required share of your modules each year. Falling behind can put your funding at risk, so treat your results as part of keeping the bursary. If you hit trouble, speak to your institution early rather than waiting.

Anti-Scam Warning: Protect Your Money

NSFAS never charges you to apply and never asks anyone for your myNSFAS password. Be alert to these scams:

  • Anyone promising “guaranteed approval” for a fee — impossible; approval is based only on your ID, income and academic record.
  • Messages asking you to pay to “release” your allowance or to “unlock” your wallet.
  • Fake NSFAS pages or WhatsApp numbers — only trust www.nsfas.org.za.
  • Anyone asking for your banking PIN or login details.

If in doubt, log in directly to myNSFAS or contact the official NSFAS helpline listed on the website — never through a link a stranger sends you.

Ready to Start?

If you have not applied yet, the smartest next step is to understand who qualifies and follow the free application process from the start. Everything you need is on the application page.

You’ll go to the official NSFAS site

This page is for information only and is not the official NSFAS site. NSFAS applications are free and made only at www.nsfas.org.za. This is not financial or loan advice.