NSFAS bursary 2026 application for university and TVET funding — NSFAS funding can help cover study costs at public universities and TVET colleges.

Students who need financial assistance to study at a public university or TVET college in South Africa can now apply for NSFAS funding for the 2027 academic year.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial support to eligible students who meet the applicable financial, academic and other funding requirements. The support can assist with important study costs such as tuition and registration, accommodation or transport, learning materials and personal care allowances.

For the 2027 academic year, NSFAS applications opened on 18 September 2026 and close on 31 October 2026 at 23:59 South African time. NSFAS has advised applicants to apply early rather than waiting until the final days of the application period.

NSFAS 2027 applications are free. Applicants should not pay an individual or organisation to submit an application on their behalf.

NSFAS 2027 Application Closing Date

The most important date for prospective applicants is:

Applications opened: 18 September 2026
Applications close: 31 October 2026
Closing time: 23:59 South African time
Application fee: None

NSFAS states that the application window is fixed and that late applications cannot be accepted. Applicants should therefore avoid leaving their application until the final day.

Starting early also gives an applicant time to correct mistakes, upload missing documents or resolve problems with their application before the deadline.

What Is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, commonly known as NSFAS, is a South African government student financial aid programme that provides funding to eligible students who cannot afford the cost of studying at public universities and TVET colleges.

For qualifying students, NSFAS funding can help reduce the financial burden associated with tertiary education.

This can be particularly important for students from households where parents, guardians or other family members cannot afford university or college fees and related living expenses.

NSFAS funding is not simply a payment that students can use for any purpose. Different parts of the funding are intended to cover specific study-related expenses, and the amount a student receives depends on factors such as the institution, qualification and living arrangements.

What Does the NSFAS Bursary Cover?

NSFAS funding can assist eligible students with several important costs associated with studying.

According to the current NSFAS 2027 information, funding can include:

Tuition and registration
Accommodation or transport
Learning materials
Personal care allowances for qualifying students

Tuition and registration funding is paid directly to the student’s university or TVET college. Accommodation or transport support depends on the student’s circumstances and the applicable funding rules.

University NSFAS Allowances

The allowance amounts listed in the supplied NSFAS funding information include the following:

Accommodation

University students may receive accommodation funding based on the applicable approved costs.

Where a student uses private accommodation, the cost should not exceed the applicable cost of university residence.

Students should therefore make sure that their accommodation arrangements comply with the applicable NSFAS and institutional requirements before committing themselves to expensive private accommodation.

Transport Allowance

Students who live within the applicable distance from their institution may qualify for a transport allowance.

The listed university transport allowance for transport up to 40 km from the institution is:

R7,500 per year

Living Allowance

The listed university living allowance is:

R15,000 per year

This allowance is intended to assist eligible students with everyday living expenses associated with studying.

Book Allowance

Students may receive an allowance towards books and other learning materials.

The listed book allowance is:

R5,200 per year

Students should use this support for academic resources required for their studies.

Incidental/Personal Care Allowance

Students living in catered residences may qualify for an incidental or personal care allowance.

The listed amount is:

R2,900 per year

NSFAS Allowances for TVET College Students

TVET students can also receive funding where they meet the applicable NSFAS requirements.

The accommodation amounts listed in the supplied funding information vary according to the location of the accommodation.

TVET Accommodation Allowances

Urban area: R24,000 per year

Peri-urban area: R18,900 per year

Rural area: R15,750 per year

Students should confirm their applicable accommodation category and funding arrangement with their TVET college and NSFAS.

TVET Transport

The listed transport allowance for students travelling up to 40 km from the institution is:

R7,350 per year

The funding information also lists a R7,000 per year transport amount. Because allowance amounts and categories are subject to the approved funding policy for the relevant academic year, applicants should rely on the allowance displayed for their individual circumstances rather than assuming that every student will receive the same amount.

TVET Personal Care Allowance

The listed incidental/personal care allowance is:

R2,900 per year

Who Qualifies for NSFAS Funding?

Meeting the financial requirements is one of the most important parts of determining whether a student may qualify for NSFAS.

Applicants should, however, remember that meeting the household-income requirement does not automatically guarantee funding. Other eligibility and academic requirements may also apply.

1. South African Citizens

Eligible South African citizens may apply for NSFAS funding if they meet the other applicable requirements.

Applicants should provide accurate personal information during the application process.

2. SASSA Grant Recipients

Students receiving qualifying SASSA grants may qualify for NSFAS funding and generally satisfy the financial eligibility requirement.

However, receiving a SASSA grant does not mean that an applicant can simply skip the NSFAS application process. Students who need NSFAS funding should still complete the required application.

3. Applicants With Household Income of R350,000 or Less

The standard household-income threshold is:

R350,000 or less per year

The relevant household income is the combined gross income considered under the NSFAS rules.

Applicants should provide truthful information because NSFAS verifies information provided during the application process.

4. Students With Disabilities

Students with disabilities may qualify under a higher household-income threshold.

The listed threshold is:

R600,000 or less per year

Applicants with disabilities may also have additional documentation requirements.

5. Students Who Started Studying Before 2018

Students who started studying before 2018 may fall under a different income threshold.

The listed threshold for this category is:

R122,000 per year

Applicants in this situation should check the current NSFAS requirements applicable to their individual circumstances.

Who Should Not Apply for NSFAS?

Applicants should check their circumstances carefully before submitting an application.
Under the stated requirements, the following students may not qualify for new NSFAS funding:

Students Who Have Already Completed a Previous Qualification

Students who have already completed a previous qualification may not qualify for funding for another qualification.

Before applying, check your academic history and make sure that the qualification you intend to study is covered by the applicable NSFAS rules.

Students Above the Household-Income Threshold

Students whose combined household income is above the applicable NSFAS threshold generally do not qualify for the standard bursary.
The standard threshold is R350,000, while the applicable threshold for students with disabilities is R600,000.

Students Already Receiving NSFAS Funding

Students who have already applied, qualified and received NSFAS funding do not necessarily need to submit a completely new application every year.
Where a student remains eligible, funding may continue for the duration of the student’s studies, subject to the applicable academic and progression requirements.
Students should therefore focus on meeting their academic requirements and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

NSFAS 2027 Application Requirements

Before starting the application, prospective students should make sure they have the information and documents they may need.
NSFAS states that applicants should have clear copies of supporting documents ready. Documents photographed with a cellphone can be used as long as the entire document is visible and the information can be read.
The application system can also tell applicants which supporting documents are required for their particular circumstances.

NSFAS Consent Form

The NSFAS consent form is one of the key documents used during the application process.
The consent form allows NSFAS to verify information supplied by the applicant and relevant household members against third-party sources.
For example, NSFAS may verify information with government databases and other relevant sources.
The 2027 NSFAS instructions state that the consent form must be completed correctly and signed by the relevant people whose details appear on the application.

Declaration Form

Applicants aged 34 or younger may need to complete the relevant declaration form confirming information about their parent or guardian.

Applicants should use the current 2027 version of the form rather than submitting an old version.

Disability Annexure

Applicants with disabilities may need to complete the disability annexure.
The form must be completed and signed by the applicant and a medical practitioner, together with the required medical report.

Orphan or Vulnerable Child Declaration

Applicants under 18 who are orphaned or considered vulnerable children may need an orphan and vulnerable child declaration.
This document is completed by the relevant social worker or authorised official.

How to Apply for NSFAS 2027

This is the most important section for students who want to apply.
The NSFAS 2027 application is completed online through myNSFAS.
The official NSFAS application process consists of creating or accessing a myNSFAS account, completing the application, uploading the required documents and tracking the application afterwards.

Step 1: Go to the Official NSFAS Website

Start by going to the official NSFAS website.

Official NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za

From there, access the official myNSFAS application platform.

Applicants should be careful when searching for NSFAS online because there are websites and individuals that may pretend to offer NSFAS application assistance.

NSFAS specifically advises applicants to use its official channels and warns applicants never to share their passwords or one-time PINs.

Step 2: Create Your myNSFAS Account

If you do not already have a myNSFAS account, register using your:

South African ID number
Cellphone number
Email address

Use an email address and cellphone number that you can access regularly.

This is important because NSFAS uses the applicant’s contact details to provide important application information.

If you already have a myNSFAS account, log in and proceed with the 2027 application.

Step 3: Complete Your Personal Information

Enter your personal information carefully.

Check details such as:

Full name
ID number
Contact information
Residential information
Other personal details requested by NSFAS

Make sure your information matches your official documents.

A small mistake in an ID number, name or other important information can create unnecessary problems later.

Step 4: Complete Your Household Information

NSFAS needs information about the applicant’s household and financial circumstances.

Provide the required information about your:

Parent or parents
Legal guardian
Spouse, where applicable
Household income
Other people requested in the application

Do not guess or deliberately provide incorrect information.

NSFAS verifies information supplied by applicants against relevant third-party sources.

Step 5: Give the Required Consent

Applicants must provide the consent required for NSFAS to verify the information submitted.

Read the consent requirements carefully before signing.

Where another household member is required to sign, make sure that person completes their section correctly.

Step 6: Upload Your Supporting Documents

Upload the documents requested by NSFAS.

Before uploading, check every document.

Make sure:

The entire document is visible.
No corners are cut off.
The writing is readable.
The photograph is not blurry.
There is no glare covering important information.
Required signatures are present.
You are using the correct 2027 form.
Names and ID numbers match the relevant identification documents.

NSFAS specifically warns that unclear, incomplete or incorrectly completed documents can be sent back.

Step 7: Check Your Application

Before submitting, go through the application again.
Check your personal information, household information and uploaded documents.
Do not rush through this step.
It is much easier to correct a mistake before submitting than to discover a problem after the application has already been assessed.

Step 8: Submit Your Application

Once everything is correct, submit the application.
Do not assume that saving an application means that you have applied.
The application must be completed and submitted through myNSFAS.

Step 9: Save Your Reference Number

After submitting, save your NSFAS application reference number.
Take a screenshot and keep the reference number somewhere safe.
You can use it when checking your application status and when communicating with NSFAS about your application.

Step 10: Track Your Application

Do not simply submit your application and forget about it.
Log into your myNSFAS account regularly and check whether NSFAS has requested anything from you.
Your application may move through different stages, including verification, document requests, eligibility decisions and funding confirmation.
NSFAS explains that applicants can track their application through myNSFAS.

What Happens After You Apply?

Submitting your application is not the end of the process.
NSFAS may verify the information you provided.
The application can go through different stages depending on your circumstances.

Verification

NSFAS may verify information against sources such as Home Affairs, SARS and SASSA.
During this stage, applicants may not need to do anything unless NSFAS requests additional information.

Awaiting Documents

If NSFAS determines that a document is missing or unreadable, the applicant may be asked to upload another document.
Applicants should therefore continue checking their myNSFAS account.

Funding Eligible

If an applicant meets the funding criteria, the application may be marked as funding eligible.
However, NSFAS states that funding is confirmed once the student registers at an eligible public university or TVET college.

Unsuccessful

An application can also be unsuccessful if the applicant does not meet the applicable criteria.
The reason for the decision should be available through myNSFAS, and an eligible applicant may have an opportunity to appeal during the applicable appeal period.

Common NSFAS Application Mistakes to Avoid

Many applicants focus only on meeting the household-income requirement and forget that the application itself must also be completed correctly.
Here are some mistakes to avoid.

Uploading Blurry Documents

Do not upload documents that cannot be read.
If you are using your cellphone to photograph documents, place the document on a flat surface and make sure there is enough light.

Cutting Off the Corners

Make sure the entire document appears in the photograph.
NSFAS specifically warns applicants about documents where an edge or corner has been cut off.

Using the Wrong Form

Do not automatically reuse a form from a previous NSFAS application.
Use the current forms applicable to the 2027 application cycle.

Missing Signatures

Check whether the required people have signed the relevant forms.
A missing signature can result in a document being rejected.

Using Electronic Signatures Where They Are Not Allowed

The current NSFAS instructions state that the consent form should be completed by hand using black ink and that electronic signatures should not be used.

Providing Information That Does Not Match Your ID

Names and identification numbers should match the relevant official documents.
If the information does not match, the application may require additional verification.

Waiting Until the Last Day

This is one of the biggest mistakes an applicant can make.
The 2027 closing date is 31 October 2026 at 23:59.
Do not wait until the final hours to upload documents and submit your application.

Is There a Fee to Apply for NSFAS?

No. NSFAS applications are free.
There is no legitimate NSFAS application fee.
NSFAS warns applicants never to pay someone who claims that they can submit, speed up or guarantee an application.
If someone asks you for money to “secure” NSFAS funding, treat this as a serious warning sign.

NSFAS Scam Warning

Students applying for funding should be particularly careful with their personal information.
A legitimate NSFAS application does not require an applicant to hand over their account password or one-time PIN to another person.

NSFAS states that it will never ask applicants for their password or OTP.

Never give your:

myNSFAS password
OTP
banking password
cellphone banking PIN
email password

to someone claiming they need it to complete your NSFAS application.

If somebody offers to “guarantee” NSFAS approval in exchange for money, do not pay them.

Applicants should use the official NSFAS website and official myNSFAS platform.

NSFAS 2027 Application Checklist

Before submitting your application, use this checklist:

Personal Information

☐ South African ID information is correct
☐ Cellphone number is active
☐ Email address is active
☐ Personal information matches official documents

Household Information

☐ Parent/guardian information is correct
☐ Household information is accurate
☐ Income information is truthful
☐ Required consent has been provided

Documents

☐ Current NSFAS 2027 consent form
☐ Declaration form where applicable
☐ Disability annexure where applicable
☐ Orphan/vulnerable child declaration where applicable
☐ Other documents requested by myNSFAS

Before Submission

☐ Documents are clear
☐ All corners of documents are visible
☐ Required signatures are present
☐ No important information is covered by glare
☐ Correct 2027 forms are being used
☐ Application has been checked carefully
☐ Application has been submitted
☐ Reference number has been saved

Frequently Asked Questions About NSFAS 2027

When do NSFAS 2027 applications close?

NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026 at 23:59 South African time.

When did NSFAS 2027 applications open?

Applications opened on 18 September 2026.

Is it free to apply for NSFAS?

Yes. NSFAS applications are free. Applicants should not pay anyone to submit or speed up an application.

Where do I apply for NSFAS 2027?

Applications are completed online through myNSFAS via the official NSFAS website.
Applicants can create or access their myNSFAS account, complete the application, upload documents and track their application online.

Can I apply using my cellphone?

Yes. The current NSFAS application platform is designed to work on mobile devices, and applicants can complete the process using their phone.

Do SASSA grant recipients need to apply?

Yes. Receiving a qualifying SASSA grant can satisfy the applicable financial requirement, but students still need to complete the NSFAS application process if they want NSFAS funding.

Can students with disabilities apply for NSFAS?

Yes. Students with disabilities can apply using the NSFAS application process. Additional documentation, including the applicable disability annexure and medical report, may be required.

What household income qualifies for NSFAS?

The standard household-income threshold is R350,000 per year, while the applicable threshold for students with disabilities is R600,000 per year, subject to the NSFAS rules.

Can I apply if I already receive NSFAS funding?

Students who are already funded may continue receiving funding if they remain eligible and meet the applicable academic and progression requirements. They should check their myNSFAS account rather than assuming they need to submit a completely new application.

What happens if my document is rejected?

Log into myNSFAS and check what document is being requested.
If NSFAS asks you to upload a replacement document, make sure it is clear, complete and meets the requirements before uploading it again.

Can I track my NSFAS application?

Yes. Applicants can track their application through their myNSFAS account. Keep your application reference number safe.

What if my NSFAS application is unsuccessful?

Check the reason provided through myNSFAS. If you believe the decision is incorrect and you qualify to appeal, follow the official NSFAS appeal process during the applicable appeal period.

Can someone apply for NSFAS on my behalf?

You can receive assistance if you have difficulty using the system, but you should protect your account credentials.
Never give another person your myNSFAS password or OTP. NSFAS specifically warns applicants not to share these details.

Important NSFAS 2027 Dates at a Glance

NSFAS 2027 Event	Date
Applications open	18 September 2026
Application period	September – October 2026
Application closing date	31 October 2026
Closing time	23:59 South African time
Application fee	Free

The official NSFAS application information confirms that the application system closes at the end of 31 October 2026 and that applications cannot be submitted after the deadline.

Final Advice for Students Applying for NSFAS 2027

If you need financial assistance for your studies in 2027, do not wait until the final day to apply.
Start by checking whether you meet the applicable requirements, prepare your documents and create or access your myNSFAS account.
Complete every section carefully and make sure that the information you provide is accurate.
Most importantly, submit your application before 31 October 2026 at 23:59.
After submitting, save your reference number and continue checking your myNSFAS account for updates or requests for additional documents.
NSFAS funding can make tertiary education more accessible to students who would otherwise struggle to pay for their studies. However, applicants should remember that meeting the income requirement alone does not guarantee funding. Students must also meet the other applicable NSFAS requirements and, where funding is approved, comply with the academic and registration conditions.

Apply for NSFAS 2027

Students who meet the requirements can start their application through the official NSFAS platform.

Apply through the official NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za

NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026 at 23:59.

For assistance, NSFAS lists the following official support channels:

Toll-free: 0800 067 327
Email: info@nsfas.org.za

Always verify application information through the official NSFAS website before submitting personal information.

A Final Reminder About NSFAS Applications

There are many websites, social media posts and individuals sharing NSFAS information. Some information may be outdated, particularly when it comes to allowance amounts, application dates and supporting documents.

For that reason, applicants should always compare information with the latest official NSFAS instructions before submitting an application.

Do not pay anyone to apply for NSFAS. Do not give anyone your NSFAS password or OTP. Apply through the official NSFAS platform and keep your application reference number safe.