This follows confirmation from Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane last month of a 4% increase in allowances.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This funding covers tuition and registration fees and several allowances are paid to students for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
The 2025 NSFS allowances will be disbursed in ten instalments throughout the academic year.
2025 NSFAS Allowances For University Students
|
Category |
New Books |
Accommodation |
Living Allowance |
Travel Allowance |
Personal Care Allowance |
Human Support |
Assistive Device |
|
UNI Catered - Disability Metro |
R6,240 |
R69,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R6,240 |
R60,273 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Catered - Metro |
R5,678 |
R65,993 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
UNI Catered - Non-Metro |
R5,678 |
R56,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Disability Metro |
R6,240 |
R52,000 |
R20,800 |
- |
- |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R6,240 |
R42,640 |
R20,800 |
- |
- |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Metro |
R5,678 |
R52,000 |
R17,160 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
UNI Non-Catered - Non-Metro |
R5,678 |
R42,640 |
R17,160 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
UNI Disability Transport |
R6,240 |
- |
R20,800 |
R8,190 |
- |
R52,000 |
R54,080 |
|
UNI Transport |
R5,678 |
- |
R17,160 |
R8,190 |
- |
- |
- |
2025 NSFAS Allowances For TVET College Students
|
Allowance Type |
Accommodation |
Living Allowance |
Travel Allowance |
Personal Care Allowance |
Human Support |
Assistive Device |
|
TVET Catered - Disability Metro |
R69,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R60,273 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Catered - Metro |
R65,993 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
TVET Catered - Non-Metro |
R56,633 |
- |
- |
R3,167 |
- |
- |
|
TVET Disability Transport |
- |
R20,800* |
R8,027 |
- |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Disability Metro |
R52,000 |
R20,800* |
- |
- |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Disability Non-Metro |
R42,640 |
R20,800* |
- |
- |
- |
R54,080 |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Metro |
R52,000 |
R17,160* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
TVET Non-Catered - Non-Metro |
R42,640 |
R17,160* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
TVET Transport |
- |
R17,160* |
R8,027 |
- |
- |
- |
Accommodation Allowance Variations
Accommodation allowances vary based on location and residence type. Students in metropolitan areas receive higher allowances than those in non-metropolitan areas, reflecting differing living costs.
- Catered Residences: Students in catered residences do not receive a living allowance, as meals are provided. They are, however, granted a personal care allowance.
- Non-Catered Residences: Students in non-catered residences receive a living allowance for food and living expenses.
- Non-Residential Students: Students not residing in institution-provided accommodation receive a transport allowance.
Institutional Compliance and Deviations
NSFAS has mandated that institutions must obtain written approval before exceeding the published allowance caps.
"Should institutions see a need to deviate from the allowance caps, they must first obtain written approval from NSFAS before submitting any allowances above the provided caps."
