NSFAS — the National Student Financial Aid Scheme — is the South African government programme that funds higher education for students from low-income households. If your family earns below a certain threshold and you have been accepted at a public university or TVET college, NSFAS can cover your tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, and a personal allowance. This guide explains who qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply for 2027.
Who Qualifies for NSFAS in 2027?
NSFAS uses a household income threshold to determine eligibility. For 2027, the general threshold is a combined household income of R350,000 per year or less. Students from households that receive SASSA grants are automatically financially eligible — NSFAS uses the SASSA data directly. Students whose parents or guardians are SASSA grant recipients do not need to provide additional income proof.
In addition to financial eligibility, you must be a South African citizen, be registered or intending to register at a public university or TVET college for the 2027 academic year, and not have a previous NSFAS debt that has not been resolved.
💡 SASSA households: If your parent or guardian receives a SASSA grant of any kind, you are automatically financially eligible for NSFAS. You still need to complete the application, but the income assessment step is handled automatically.
What NSFAS Covers
The NSFAS allowances for 2027 are structured differently depending on whether you live at home, in university-provided residence, or in private accommodation. Broadly, NSFAS covers tuition fees paid directly to the institution, a registration fee allowance, an accommodation allowance (which varies by institution and accommodation type), a food allowance, a transport allowance if you live at home, and a personal care allowance for incidentals.
NSFAS does not cover the full cost of every course at every institution. Some courses have fees that exceed the NSFAS cap. If you are enrolled in a high-fee programme, you may have a shortfall that the institution or a bursary provider needs to cover.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Go to the NSFAS website
Visit myNSFAS.nsfas.org.za. This is the only official NSFAS application portal. Do not apply through any third-party website — those are not affiliated with NSFAS and may be collecting your personal information fraudulently.
Create a myNSFAS account
Register using your South African ID number and create a secure password. You will use this account throughout your studies, so keep your login details safe. Do not share your password with anyone, including people who offer to "help" you apply.
Complete the online application
Fill in your personal details, your household income information, and your parent or guardian details. Upload the required supporting documents within the application. Answer all questions accurately — providing false information on a NSFAS application is a criminal offence.
Upload your documents
Required documents typically include: your South African ID, your parents' or guardians' IDs, proof of income (payslips or a sworn affidavit if your household is informal), and your latest academic results. Certified copies are preferred where possible.
Monitor your application status
Log into myNSFAS regularly to check your application status. If additional documents are requested, respond within the deadline. A slow response to document requests is one of the most common reasons for delayed approvals.
Application Opening Dates for 2027
NSFAS typically opens applications around August or September for the following academic year. The exact dates for 2027 applications will be announced on nsfas.org.za and through official NSFAS social media channels. Applications close early in the new year — historically around January or February. Apply as early as possible. There are no extensions and late applications are not processed.
⚠️ NSFAS scams are common. NSFAS will never ask you to pay a fee to apply or to receive your funding. It will never communicate through WhatsApp groups or ask for your banking pin. If anyone claims they can speed up your NSFAS application for a fee, report them to nsfas.org.za or call 08000 67327 (toll-free).
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