NSFAS 2026-2027 Update: Applications for the 2027 academic year are NOT YET OPEN. The application period typically runs from September to January. This page will be updated with the exact dates once announced by NSFAS. Bookmark this page and check back regularly.
What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government entity that provides financial assistance to eligible South African students studying at public universities and TVET colleges. In 2026, NSFAS operates under a combined bursary and loan model with specific conditions for each.
NSFAS Key Facts 2026:
• Household income threshold: R350,000 per year or less
• Students with disabilities: No income threshold
• SASSA grant recipients: Automatically qualify
• Application fee: FREE – NSFAS never charges to apply
• Household income threshold: R350,000 per year or less
• Students with disabilities: No income threshold
• SASSA grant recipients: Automatically qualify
• Application fee: FREE – NSFAS never charges to apply
NSFAS Bursary vs Loan: What's the Difference?
In 2026, NSFAS funding is structured differently depending on your household income and academic performance. Understanding this distinction is crucial for planning your repayment obligations.
🎓 NSFAS Bursary (No Repayment Required)
The bursary portion is funding that you do NOT need to repay. It covers students who:
The bursary portion is funding that you do NOT need to repay. It covers students who:
- Have a household income of R350,000 or less (full bursary)
- Are SASSA grant recipients (automatically qualify for full bursary)
- Have a disability (regardless of income)
- Are TVET college students (full bursary with no repayment)
- Meet academic progression requirements (pass at least 50% of modules)
💰 NSFAS Loan (Requires Repayment)
The loan portion applies to certain students and must be repaid after graduation. Loan conditions include:
The loan portion applies to certain students and must be repaid after graduation. Loan conditions include:
- Students from households with income above R350,000 but below R600,000 (partial loan funding)
- Students who fail to meet academic progression (less than 50% pass rate)
- Students who drop out or change courses without approval
- Postgraduate students (in some cases, funding is structured as a loan)
Loan Forgiveness (NSFAS Bursary Conversion):
If you receive a loan but perform well academically, your loan can be converted to a bursary! To qualify for conversion:
If you receive a loan but perform well academically, your loan can be converted to a bursary! To qualify for conversion:
- Pass all modules for the academic year
- Meet the institution's academic progression requirements
- Complete your qualification within the prescribed timeframe
Who Can Apply for NSFAS?
Eligibility Requirements:
- South African citizen (permanent residents may also qualify with supporting documents)
- Household income: Combined annual income must be R350,000 or less for full bursary
- Applied or accepted at a public university or TVET college
- SASSA grant recipients: Automatically qualify
- Students with disabilities: No income threshold, automatically qualify
- First-time undergraduate students (except for students with disabilities)
Who Does NOT Qualify:
- Students who already have a completed undergraduate degree (except for students with disabilities)
- Students studying at private institutions (NSFAS only funds public universities and TVET colleges)
- Students who have previously received NSFAS funding and failed to meet academic requirements
- Students with household income above R600,000 (not eligible for any NSFAS funding)
What Does NSFAS Cover?
NSFAS funding covers the following expenses for eligible students:
- Tuition and registration fees – Paid directly to the institution
- Accommodation – University residences or accredited private accommodation
- Transport allowance – For students who commute from home
- Living allowance – For food and personal expenses (paid monthly)
- Book allowance – For prescribed textbooks and learning materials
- Incidental allowance – For TVET college students
Required Documents for NSFAS Application
Prepare these documents before starting your application. Documents must be certified within the last 3 months:
- Your ID document – Certified copy (Smart ID or green ID book)
- Your matric certificate or latest results – Certified copy
- Parents/guardians ID documents – Certified copies
- Proof of household income – Latest payslips (not older than 3 months), or SARS tax return, or affidavit if unemployed
- Death certificate – If a parent/guardian is deceased
- SASSA letter – If you or your parents receive SASSA grants
- Disability medical certificate – If you have a disability
- Proof of address – Municipal bill or affidavit
Document Tips:
• All documents must be in PDF format (max 2MB per file)
• Certification must be done by a commissioner of oaths (police, post office)
• Name files clearly: "ID_YourName.pdf", "Payslip_Mother.pdf"
• Keep original documents safe – you'll need them for registration
• All documents must be in PDF format (max 2MB per file)
• Certification must be done by a commissioner of oaths (police, post office)
• Name files clearly: "ID_YourName.pdf", "Payslip_Mother.pdf"
• Keep original documents safe – you'll need them for registration
Step-by-Step NSFAS Application Process
Step 1: Create a myNSFAS Account
Visit www.nsfas.org.za → Click "myNSFAS" → Click "Register" → Enter your ID number, cellphone number, and email address → Create a password → Verify your account via SMS/email.
Visit www.nsfas.org.za → Click "myNSFAS" → Click "Register" → Enter your ID number, cellphone number, and email address → Create a password → Verify your account via SMS/email.
Step 2: Log In and Start Application
Log in to your myNSFAS account → Click "Apply" (only visible during application period) → Read the application instructions carefully.
Log in to your myNSFAS account → Click "Apply" (only visible during application period) → Read the application instructions carefully.
Step 3: Complete Personal Information
Fill in your full name, date of birth, contact details, address, and indicate if you have a disability. Ensure all information matches your ID document.
Fill in your full name, date of birth, contact details, address, and indicate if you have a disability. Ensure all information matches your ID document.
Step 4: Provide Household/Family Information
Add details of parents/guardians and siblings. This information is used for the means test to determine your household income.
Add details of parents/guardians and siblings. This information is used for the means test to determine your household income.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
Upload all certified documents in PDF format. Double-check that files are clear and not password-protected.
Upload all certified documents in PDF format. Double-check that files are clear and not password-protected.
Step 6: Select Institution and Qualification
Choose the university or TVET college you have applied to, and select your qualification/field of study.
Choose the university or TVET college you have applied to, and select your qualification/field of study.
Step 7: Review and Submit
Review all information for accuracy → Check the declaration box → Click "Submit" → You'll receive a confirmation SMS and email with your reference number.
Review all information for accuracy → Check the declaration box → Click "Submit" → You'll receive a confirmation SMS and email with your reference number.
How to Check Your NSFAS Status
Track your application progress online:
- Go to www.nsfas.org.za
- Click "myNSFAS" and log in with your ID number and password
- Your dashboard will show your current application status
Understanding NSFAS Status Meanings:
- Application Received – Your application has been submitted successfully
- Validation – NSFAS is verifying your information with SARS, Home Affairs, and other sources
- Evaluation – Your application is being assessed for eligibility
- Funding Eligible – Congratulations! You have been approved for NSFAS funding
- Application Unsuccessful – Your application did not meet criteria. You may appeal.
- Provisionally Funded – Funding approved pending institution confirmation
How to Appeal an Unsuccessful NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you have 30 days from the date of the decision to submit an appeal:
- Log in to your myNSFAS account
- Click on "Track Funding Progress"
- Select "Application Unsuccessful" and click "Appeal"
- Select the reason for your appeal and upload supporting documents
- Submit your appeal and wait for feedback
Valid Reasons to Appeal:
- Income threshold: If your family's income has decreased since the application
- Incorrect information: If your application contained errors or missing data
- Missing documents: If you forgot to upload required documents
- SASSA status: If you are a SASSA beneficiary but it wasn't reflected
- Disability: If you have a disability and it wasn't correctly indicated
NSFAS Academic Requirements (How to Keep Your Funding)
Once you receive NSFAS funding, you must maintain academic progress to continue receiving funding in subsequent years:
- Pass at least 50% of your modules (minimum progression requirement)
- Meet your institution's academic progression policy (some universities require higher pass rates)
- Complete your qualification within the allowed timeframe (N+2 rule: duration of qualification plus 2 years)
- Submit your academic results each year through your institution
Important: If you fail to meet academic requirements, your NSFAS funding may be converted from a bursary to a loan, or your funding may be suspended. You can apply for academic appeal if there were extenuating circumstances.
NSFAS Contact Information
NSFAS Contact Details:
Call Centre: 0800 067 327 (toll-free) – Mon to Fri, 8:00 – 17:00
WhatsApp: 078 519 8006
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Website: www.nsfas.org.za
myNSFAS Portal: my.nsfas.org.za
Social Media: @myNSFAS (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Call Centre: 0800 067 327 (toll-free) – Mon to Fri, 8:00 – 17:00
WhatsApp: 078 519 8006
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Website: www.nsfas.org.za
myNSFAS Portal: my.nsfas.org.za
Social Media: @myNSFAS (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
When do NSFAS applications open for 2027?
Applications for the 2027 academic year are NOT YET OPEN. The application window typically opens in September 2026 and closes in January 2027. Exact dates will be announced on the NSFAS website. Bookmark this page for updates.
Applications for the 2027 academic year are NOT YET OPEN. The application window typically opens in September 2026 and closes in January 2027. Exact dates will be announced on the NSFAS website. Bookmark this page for updates.
Is NSFAS a bursary or a loan?
NSFAS funding is a combination of bursary and loan. Students from households earning R350,000 or less receive a full bursary (no repayment). Students from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 receive a partial loan that may be converted to a bursary based on academic performance.
NSFAS funding is a combination of bursary and loan. Students from households earning R350,000 or less receive a full bursary (no repayment). Students from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 receive a partial loan that may be converted to a bursary based on academic performance.
Do I have to pay back NSFAS?
Only if you received a loan portion. Students who receive a full bursary do not need to repay. Loan repayments start only when you are employed and earning above the repayment threshold (± R30,000/month).
Only if you received a loan portion. Students who receive a full bursary do not need to repay. Loan repayments start only when you are employed and earning above the repayment threshold (± R30,000/month).
Can I apply if my parents earn more than R350,000?
You may still qualify for a partial loan if your household income is between R350,000 and R600,000. If your household income exceeds R600,000, you are not eligible for NSFAS funding.
You may still qualify for a partial loan if your household income is between R350,000 and R600,000. If your household income exceeds R600,000, you are not eligible for NSFAS funding.
I'm a SASSA beneficiary. Do I need to provide proof of income?
No, SASSA grant recipients are automatically financially eligible. You only need to provide your SASSA letter or bank statement showing grant payments.
No, SASSA grant recipients are automatically financially eligible. You only need to provide your SASSA letter or bank statement showing grant payments.
Can I apply for NSFAS if I'm already studying?
Yes, current university and TVET college students can apply for NSFAS funding. You'll need to provide your latest academic results and meet the academic progression requirements.
Yes, current university and TVET college students can apply for NSFAS funding. You'll need to provide your latest academic results and meet the academic progression requirements.
What happens to my loan if I don't finish my degree?
If you drop out or fail to complete your qualification, your funding may be converted to a loan that you will need to repay. It's important to discuss any academic challenges with your institution's student support services.
If you drop out or fail to complete your qualification, your funding may be converted to a loan that you will need to repay. It's important to discuss any academic challenges with your institution's student support services.
Beware of NSFAS Scams:
• NSFAS will NEVER ask for your banking PIN or password
• NSFAS does NOT charge any application fees
• Only use the official NSFAS website to apply
• Report scams to the NSFAS fraud hotline
• NSFAS will NEVER ask for your banking PIN or password
• NSFAS does NOT charge any application fees
• Only use the official NSFAS website to apply
• Report scams to the NSFAS fraud hotline
Ready to Apply?
The NSFAS application for 2027 will open soon. Prepare your documents now and visit the official NSFAS website when applications open:
Visit NSFAS Official Website
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The NSFAS application for 2027 will open soon. Prepare your documents now and visit the official NSFAS website when applications open:
Visit NSFAS Official Website