The University of South Africa (Unisa) has officially released its NSFAS allowance payment plan for the first half of 2025, sparking significant interest among its student body. Thousands of Unisa students are now keen to understand the specifics of their NSFAS funding and precisely how much their NSFAS allowances will be for the upcoming academic year.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays a crucial role in enabling access to higher education in South Africa. NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to eligible students enrolled in approved programs at both universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
This vital financial support covers not only tuition and registration fees but also includes several allowances paid directly to students to assist with essential expenses such as food, accommodation, and learning materials.
Breaking Down the 2025 NSFAS Allowances
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, has announced a 4% increase in NSFAS allowances for 2025.
NSFAS-funded students at Unisa receive specific allowances tailored to their study needs, primarily covering learning materials and personal care. These allowances are designed to support their academic journey.
Unisa students can anticipate the following estimated NSFAS allowance amounts for 2025:
Learning Materials Allowance
This allowance is a once-off payment disbursed at the beginning of the academic year to help students acquire necessary textbooks and study resources. It's important to note that this allowance is paid only once per academic year.
- For March 2025 students: R5,678
- For students with disabilities: R6,240
Personal Care Allowance (Monthly Payments)
This allowance is intended to assist students with essential personal expenses and is paid monthly over a period of 10 months.
- Students receiving this allowance can expect to receive R316 per month.
Understanding the NSFAS Allowance Payment Schedule
Generally, NSFAS allowances are distributed in 10 payments throughout the academic year, which typically runs from February to November for most South African higher education institutions. This means that eligible students will receive their allocated allowances from February through November.
How Unisa Will Disburse Your 2025 NSFAS Allowances
Unisa has provided clarity on the payment method for NSFAS allowances in 2025. The university has confirmed that NSFAS allowances will be paid via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly into the students’ personal bank accounts.
NSFAS allowances are paid by the institution via EFT into the student’s bank account.
This direct EFT payment method is the standard procedure for all university students across South Africa who receive NSFAS funding, ensuring a secure and efficient way to access their allocated funds.
