The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays a vital role in South Africa by providing crucial financial support to deserving students pursuing approved qualifications at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. This support comes in the form of comprehensive NSFAS bursaries and student loans, designed to alleviate the financial burden of higher education.
NSFAS bursaries offer extensive coverage, taking care of tuition fees and registration costs. Furthermore, they include several allowances to assist with essential living expenses such as food, accommodation, and learning materials.
Following the announcement by Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane, regarding an increase in NSFAS allowances for 2025, many university students are keen to understand the specifics of their NSFAS allowance payments for March 2025.
It's important to note that NSFAS allowances are disbursed in 10 payments annually, commencing in February and concluding in November.
NSFAS Allowances for University Students in March 2025
Minister Nkabane has officially confirmed a 4% increase in NSFAS allowances for universities in 2025. NSFAS has now released the precise amounts students can anticipate receiving in March 2025 for various allowance categories:
Learning Materials Allowance (Paid Once-Off)
This allowance is intended to cover the costs of textbooks and other necessary study materials. It is a single payment made at the beginning of the academic year.
- Students in Catered Residence: R5 678
- Students in Non-catered Residence: R5 678
- Students with Disabilities in Residence (Catered & Non-catered): R6 240
- Students Receiving a Transport Allowance: R5 678
- Students with Disabilities Receiving a Transport Allowance: R6 240
Accommodation Allowance (Paid Monthly for 10 Months)
This allowance helps students cover their accommodation expenses. Students who do not receive this allowance are typically eligible for a transport allowance.
- Catered Residence (Metro): R6 599
- Catered Residence (Non-metro): R5 663
- Non-catered Residence (Metro): R5 200
- Non-catered Residence (Non-metro): R4 264
- Students with Disabilities in Catered Residence (Metro): R6 963
- Students with Disabilities in Catered Residence (Non-metro): R6 027
- Students with Disabilities in Non-catered Residence (Metro): R5 200
- Students with Disabilities in Non-catered Residence (Non-metro): R4 264
Living Allowance (Paid Monthly for 10 Months)
This allowance is designed to assist with general living costs. It is provided to specific categories of students:
- Students with Disabilities in Catered Residence (Metro): R1 716
- Students in Non-catered Residence (Non-metro): R1 716
- Students with Disabilities in Non-catered Residence (Metro): R2 080
- Students with Disabilities in Non-catered Residence (Non-metro): R2 080
- Students Receiving a Transport Allowance: R1 716
- Students with Disabilities Receiving a Transport Allowance: R2 080
Travel Allowance (Paid Monthly for 10 Months)
This allowance is specifically for students who need to commute to and from their university. Both able-bodied students and students with disabilities who qualify for a transport allowance will receive R819 in March 2025.
Personal Care Allowance (Paid Monthly for 10 Months)
This allowance is intended to cover personal hygiene and care items and is currently provided to students residing in catered residences, amounting to approximately R316 per month.
NSFAS Loans
Students who are funded through NSFAS loans receive only an accommodation allowance and a learning materials allowance.
How You Will Receive Your University NSFAS Allowance Payments for March 2025
In the latter half of 2024, NSFAS announced a significant change in their allowance payment system for university students. The NSFAS Bank Account system has been discontinued. Instead, the intention was for university allowances to be paid directly into students' personal bank accounts.
However, due to an ongoing court case, NSFAS has been unable to implement this direct payment method at this time.
Therefore, for 2025, universities will continue to be responsible for disbursing NSFAS allowances directly to students.
Allowances of students will be paid based on an approved NSFAS payment channel.
It is crucial for students to understand that each university may have its own specific procedures for processing and distributing these allowance payments. To ensure you receive your funds promptly and correctly, it is essential to contact your university's financial aid office.
They will provide you with the necessary information regarding the payment methods and any steps you need to take.
