The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) recently released its 2025 Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid, addressing a crucial question: will NSFAS cover past student debts?
"Historic debt" refers to unpaid tuition fees from previous academic years. This includes instances where NSFAS-funded students partially covered their own fees. This debt poses a significant obstacle to higher education for many South African students.
Students with outstanding debt may be barred from registering for the new academic year. Moreover, they may be unable to receive their diplomas upon graduation until the debt is settled.
NSFAS and Historic Debt
According to the official NSFAS Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid:
Financial aid received cannot be used to settle historic debt unless it is specified as such by the NSFAS.
This means that, generally, NSFAS funds cannot be used to clear past debts. NSFAS funding will primarily cover tuition and registration fees from the point of receiving financial aid.
Student protests have frequently occurred across South Africa due to financial hardships and exclusions stemming from historic debt.
What Does NSFAS Cover?
NSFAS bursary recipients receive coverage for:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation allowances
- Transport allowances
- Learning materials
- Other essential student costs
NSFAS loan beneficiaries receive similar coverage, excluding transport allowances.
