Every year, thousands of students apply for financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cover their tuition fees. NSFAS provides bursaries and loans to students who cannot afford higher education costs.
If you’ve already completed an undergraduate qualification, you won’t be eligible for NSFAS funding to pursue a second degree. NSFAS strictly funds first-time undergraduate students.
NSFAS has made the following clear:
A student who has achieved an undergraduate qualification who wants to study on a second undergraduate qualification.
Similarly, if you have obtained a certificate qualification and want to study for another certificate, you will not qualify for funding.
Who Automatically Qualifies for NSFAS?
Students receiving Sassa grants automatically meet NSFAS’s financial eligibility criteria, provided they are registered and academically eligible. However, only recipients of Foster Care, Care Dependency, and Child Support Grants qualify.
NSFAS verifies applicants’ financial backgrounds through third-party data. To complete the application process, students must provide accurate consent forms for verification.
Academic Requirements for Returning Students
Returning students must meet academic performance requirements to continue receiving NSFAS funding:
- University students must pass at least 60% of their modules.
- TVET College students need to pass 70% of their modules or meet subject-specific requirements.
- National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)) students must pass at least five subjects.
- Report 191 students must pass three subjects.
Students must also comply with the N+Rule, which provides funding for one additional year beyond the standard duration of their qualification. Students with disabilities qualify for N+2.
Who Does NSFAS Not Fund?
NSFAS will not provide funding for students in the following cases:
- Students with other bursaries or scholarships that fully cover their study costs.
- Students enrolled at private institutions – NSFAS only funds students at public universities and TVET colleges.
- Students registered for non-accredited qualifications – Courses must be accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
- Students who do not meet NSFAS eligibility criteria.
Financial Eligibility for NSFAS
To qualify for NSFAS funding, applicants must meet the following household income limits:
- General applicants – Annual household income must be below R350,000.
- Students with disabilities – Household income may be up to R600,000.
By understanding these requirements, students can better assess their eligibility before applying for NSFAS funding.
