The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administers funding to students hoping to study or currently studying at one of South Africa’s 26 public universities or 50 TVET colleges.
In order to have your nursing course funded by NSFAS, you will need to meet their minimum requirements and study nursing at one of those tertiary institutions.
South Africa has several Nursing Colleges, however, because they are private institutions, students will not be able to receive funding from NSFAS. Students who would like to attend these Nursing Colleges may enquire about financial assistance at these institutions.
NSFAS beneficiaries receive the following benefits:
University Students
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation: As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation should not exceed costs for university residence).
- Transport: Up to 40km from the university. Students receive R7 500 per year.
- Living allowance: R15 000 per annum.
- Book allowances: R5 200 per year.
- Incidental/personal care allowance: R2 900 per year for students in catered residences.
TVET College students
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation:
- Urban area: R24 000 per year
- Peri-urban area: R18 900 per year
- Rural area: R15 750 per year
- Transport:
- Up to 40km from the institution. R7 350 per year
- R7 000 per year
- Incidental/personal care allowance: R2 900 per year.
The main requirement for the NSFAS bursary is that applicants have a combined household income of no more than R350 000 per annum. SASSA recipients who apply for the bursary qualify immediately.