NSFAS Bursary (DHET Bursary Scheme)

The bursary can cover registration and tuition fees (paid to the institution), a learning material allowance, a living allowance, personal care and transport, and accommodation where applicable. Allowances follow the approved DHET guidelines each year.

Universities

• Accommodation: actual costs charged by the university (private accommodation may not cost more than university residence).
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution): R7 500 per year.
• Living allowance: R15 000 per year.
• Book allowance: R5 200 per year.
• Incidental/personal care allowance: R2 900 per year for students in catered residences.

TVET colleges

• Accommodation: R24 000 per year (urban), R18 900 (peri-urban), R15 750 (rural).
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution): R7 350 per year; a further transport figure of R7 000 per year is also listed.
• Incidental/personal care allowance: R2 900 per year.

• A student may receive either a transport or an accommodation allowance, not both.
• Students with disabilities may also receive approved additional support such as assistive devices, their repair and maintenance, human support (universities only) and assessment costs; this is assessed and approved, not automatic.

• 2027 academic year applications open on 18 September 2026.
• Applications close on 31 October 2026 at 23:59 South African time. Nothing can be submitted after this date.
• Appeals must be lodged within 30 working days after receiving the application outcome.

1. Create a myNSFAS profile at my.nsfas.org.za (or in the NSFAS mobile app) using your South African ID number, cellphone number and email address.
2. Log in and click APPLY; complete your personal and household income information in full.
3. Print, complete in black ink and capital letters, and upload the signed consent form (signed by you and by your parent(s), guardian(s) or spouse), plus any other forms that apply to you.
4. Upload clear supporting documents with every corner visible and text readable.
5. Check all details, click Submit and keep your application reference number.
6. Track your status on myNSFAS. If something is missing you can upload it while the application stays open.
7. If unsuccessful, lodge an appeal on myNSFAS within 30 working days; you get two chances to upload the required documents within that window.

Applying is free. NSFAS never asks for your password or OTP.

• Signed NSFAS consent form (APP2027), no electronic signatures, black ink only. Without a complete, accurate and signed form the application is closed and marked REJECTED.
• Declaration form for applicants aged 34 and under, confirming parent or guardian details (can be confirmed by a parent, guardian, school principal, social worker or other authorised person).
• Disability annexure completed and signed by you and a medical practitioner, submitted with the medical report as one file, if you have a disability.
• Orphan and vulnerable child declaration for applicants under 18, completed by a social worker or authorised official (Department of Social Development).
• Documents are returned if cut off, blurry, unsigned, in pencil or coloured ink, corrected with fluid or without initials, an out-of-date version, missing a page, or where names or ID numbers do not match the ID document.

NSFAS checks financial eligibility using the declared household income and third-party data sources, then checks academic eligibility and that the qualification and institution are approved. The application moves through stages such as verification in progress, awaiting documents, funding eligible and unsuccessful. A funding-eligible applicant is confirmed once registered at a public university or TVET college. Meeting the income threshold alone does not guarantee funding.

An appeal on income grounds is considered only if household circumstances have changed since the application with evidence, evidence shows income is below the threshold, a key income earner has become incapacitated or died, or a court has declared the applicant independent of the parents.