NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to students enrolled at approved universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover registration and tuition fees, as well as allowances for accommodation, transport, food, and learning materials.
Household Income Requirements
Generally, to qualify for NSFAS bursary funding:
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Your household income must be R350,000 or less per year
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If you're a student living with a disability, the income threshold increases to R600,000 per year
But for some Sassa beneficiaries, NSFAS does not apply the household income requirement.
Which Sassa Grant Beneficiaries Are Eligible?
Students who currently receive, or have received in the past three years, the following grants may qualify automatically for NSFAS funding:
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Child Support Grant
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Foster Child Grant
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Care Dependency Grant
However, they must still be registered at an accredited institution and meet the academic requirements for funding.
“An applicant or student who is a recipient of a Sassa grant, or who has been a Sassa grant recipient of the Care Dependency, Child Support and Foster Care grants within the previous three years of applying for financial aid from NSFAS, but excludes those in receipt of the Social Relief of Distress grant.”
What About SRD Grant Recipients?
NSFAS has confirmed that Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beneficiaries do not automatically qualify for funding. These applicants will be assessed using the normal household income criteria.
If you're applying for NSFAS and currently receive a Sassa grant, be sure to check whether your grant type qualifies—and ensure all your documents are up to date.
