The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers comprehensive bursaries and student loans to eligible students enrolled in approved programmes at universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, alongside allowances for food, accommodation, and learning resources.
University Students Await May 2025 NSFAS Allowance Payments
Following Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's announcement of a 4% increase in NSFAS allowances for 2025, university students are keen to know the May 2025 payment amounts. NSFAS allowances are disbursed in ten monthly instalments from February to November.
Breakdown of University NSFAS Allowances for May 2025
NSFAS has confirmed the specific allowance amounts for university students in May 2025:
Learning Materials Allowance
This is a once-off annual payment:
- Catered residence: R5,678
- Non-catered residence: R5,678
- Students with disabilities (residence): R6,240 (catered and non-catered)
- Students receiving transport allowance: R5,678
- Students with disabilities receiving transport allowance: R6,240
Accommodation Allowance (Monthly for 10 Months)
Students not receiving this allowance will receive 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 (Catered, Metro): R6,963
- Students with disabilities (Catered, Non-metro): R6,027
- Students with disabilities (Non-catered, Metro): R5,200
- Students with disabilities (Non-catered, Non-metro): R4,264
Living Allowance (Monthly for 10 Months - Specific Categories)
This allowance is for specific student categories:
- Students with disabilities (Catered, Metro): R1,716
- Non-catered residence (Non-metro): R1,716
- Students with disabilities (Non-catered, Metro): R2,080
- Students with disabilities (Non-catered, Non-metro): R2,080
- Students receiving transport allowance: R1,716
- Students with disabilities receiving transport allowance: R2,080
Travel Allowance (Monthly for 10 Months)
Both able-bodied students and students with disabilities receiving a transport allowance will receive R819 in May 2025.
Personal Care Allowance (Monthly for 10 Months)
Students in catered residences receive approximately R316 per month.
NSFAS Loans
Students funded by NSFAS loans only receive accommodation and learning materials allowances.
Disbursement of May 2025 University NSFAS Allowances
NSFAS announced in late 2024 a shift from the NSFAS Bank Account, stating that university allowances would be channelled through the institutions. While NSFAS intended for direct payments to students' personal bank accounts, an ongoing court case has prevented this. Consequently, universities will continue direct allowance payments to students in 2025 until NSFAS announces a revised payment strategy. Students are advised to consult their institution's financial aid offices for specific payment procedures.
