The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers financial support to eligible students by providing monthly allowance payments. Through bursaries that cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, NSFAS enables students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, as well as several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
How Much Are NSFAS Allowances?
University students receive an annual living allowance of R16,500, which includes R3,045 for personal care and R13,455 for meals. They also receive a learning material allowance of up to R5,460.
For TVET college students, the annual living allowance is R10,000. The learning material allowance varies depending on the courses in which they are enrolled.
Special provisions exist for students with disabilities, including higher living allowances and extra support for learning materials. However, some conditions apply, such as allowances being available only during simulated training for certain TVET students.
Monthly NSFAS Allowances for October 2024
NSFAS divides meal and personal care allowances into 10 payments throughout the year. For instance, in July, students receive a meal allowance of R1,345, while those in catered accommodation receive a personal care allowance of about R300.
Transportation Allowance
Students living more than 10 km from campus are eligible for an annual transportation allowance of R7,718, which breaks down to a monthly travel allowance of R771. If the institution does not provide transportation, the allowance is paid directly to the student.
Maintaining academic eligibility is critical for continued NSFAS funding. Make sure you meet all requirements to keep benefiting from the scheme.
