The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a critical support system for numerous South African students. By offering bursaries that cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, NSFAS enables students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education.
This financial assistance includes NSFAS allowances for accommodation, food, transport, learning materials, and other essential needs.
NSFAS Allowance Payments for September 2024
How Much Are NSFAS Allowances?
University students
- Living allowance: R16,500 annually (R3,045 for personal care + R13,455 for meals)
- Learning material allowance: Up to R5,460
TVET college students
- Living allowance: R10,000 annually
- Learning material allowance: Varies depending on the course
Special provisions exist for students with disabilities, who receive higher living allowances and additional support for learning materials, subject to specific conditions.
Monthly NSFAS Allowances for September
NSFAS meal and personal care allowances are disbursed in 10 instalments throughout the year. For September, students will receive:
- Meal allowance: R1,345
- Personal care allowance: Approximately R300 (for students in catered accommodation)
Transportation Allowance
Students living more than 10 km from campus are eligible for a transportation allowance of R7,718 annually, translating to a monthly travel allowance of up to R771. This allowance is either paid directly to the student or managed by the institution if travel is arranged on their behalf.
How September Allowances Will Be Paid
In April 2024, NSFAS announced that universities would handle the payment of NSFAS allowances to students until the end of July 2024. The government bursary scheme later confirmed that universities will continue to disburse NSFAS allowances until the end of the year.
For TVET College students, NSFAS allowances will be deposited directly into their bank accounts at a bank of their choice.
