The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) provides bursaries to students from poor and working-class households. Many of these students would be unable to attend a university or a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college without the support from Nsfas.
A Nsfas bursary pays a student's full tuition and registration fees. Nsfas funded students also receive a transport allowance, living allowance, learning material allowance and a personal care allowance.
Is Nsfas A Government Bursary?
Yes, Nsfas is a government bursary funded by the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
In 2022, R47,3 billion was allocated to NSFAS to cover students in South Africa. The scheme used this funding to provide bursaries to 691,432 students studying in the country at public Tvet Colleges and universities.
Students can apply for Nsfas funding on their website. The scheme uses a household income threshold as its main eligibility criteria. This is because the bursary scheme is meant to support students from poor and working-class households.
The household income threshold for able-bodied students is R350,000. Students with disabilities may have a combined household income not exceeding R600,000.
Students who began studying before 2018 can have a combined household income of R122,000 or less.
Nsfas only funds South African students. These students must be registered or intend to register in an approved course at a public university or Tvet college.
Students who benefit from grants distributed by the South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) automatically qualify for Nsfas bursaries.
