Applications for 2025 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding are open. This NSFAS funding includes not only NSFAS bursaries, but NSFAS loans as well.
NSFAS provides comprehensive funding to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. This includes money for tuition and registration fees as well as several allowances for food, accommodation and learning materials.
Since it's inception, NSFAS has supported over 5 million beneficiaries, including 1.2 million students in 2024, with growth expected in 2025.
NSFAS Reintroduces NSFAS Loans
In 2024, former Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande launched the Comprehensive Funding Model earlier this week which will see students who do not qualify for NSFAS bursaries supported by the government.
South African citizens and permanent residents with household incomes between R350,000 and R600,000 can apply for these loans. Applicants must be accepted to study at either TVET College or a public university and achieve an average of 60% in their coursework to continue receiving funding.
If students achieve more than 70% and finish within the prescribed time, of course, they can have 50% of the loan written off, on application.
When NSFAS Loans Applications Will Close
NSFAS 2025 applications for bursaries and loans opened on 20 September and are are set to close on 15 December 2024.
How To Apply For the NSFAS Bursaries and Loans
NSFAS applications must be submitted online using the myNSFAS website. To apply, prospective students must create a myNSFAS account, then click on the ‘Apply’ tab, complete the online form, upload the required documents where applicable and then click on ‘Submit’.
While documents are not needed to apply for NSFAS, the government bursary scheme may require students to submit several documents before they are confirmed for funding.
Documents Needed For NSFAS Applications
- Copy of your Identity Document
- Copy of your parent(s)' or guardian's/spouse's ID Document
- Proof of income (if applicable)
- NSFAS Declaration Form: Completed by the Principal of your School or a Social Worker (if not receiving Sassa benefits)
- Orphan/Vulnerable Child Declaration Form: Completed by a Social Worker (if under 18 years old)
- NSFAS Consent Form: Completed by you and/or your parent(s), guardian, or spouse (not required for Sassa recipients)
- Proof of Guardianship: Court-issued document if you have a legal guardian (if not court-appointed, you'll need to submit the NSFAS Declaration Form)
- Disability Annexure Form: If you have a disability, this form must be completed and certified by a registered medical professional
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Provisional/Firm/Pre-Enrolment offer letter from the institution (you can still apply if you haven't received it)
It's important to note that NSFAS does not accept affidavits as supporting documents.