SAUS/NSFAS/COVERAGE/2027

What NSFAS Covers

NSFAS is a full bursary — not a loan. Qualifying university students receive comprehensive support covering tuition and a range of allowances. There is nothing to repay.

Tuition & Registration

Fully Covered

Full tuition and registration fees as set by your university, paid directly to the institution. NSFAS-funded students do not pay registration fees.

Accommodation

Up to R52,000/yr

Cap in metro areas (R42,640 elsewhere). Catered residences, with meals: up to R65,993 metro / R56,633 elsewhere. You get accommodation or transport, not both.

Living Allowance

R17,160/yr

About R1,716 a month, paid over 10 months (February–November), for food and day-to-day costs. For students not in catered residences; includes personal care.

Transport Allowance

R8,190/yr

For students who do not receive an accommodation allowance, to help with daily travel to campus.

Learning Materials

R5,678/yr

For textbooks and study materials (R6,240 for students with disabilities). Distance students: R660 per module, up to R5,678.

Personal Care

R3,167/yr

For students in catered residences and full-time distance-learning students (e.g. UNISA), towards personal care essentials.

A full bursary, not a loan. Amounts shown are the latest official NSFAS allowance caps (2025, per the NSFAS statement of 12 March 2025). NSFAS has not yet published 2026 or 2027 amounts, and universities now pay allowances directly, so the monthly amount you receive can differ by institution. Confirm current rates at nsfas.org.za.

SAUS/NSFAS/ELIGIBILITY/2027

Do You Qualify?

Before applying, check that you meet NSFAS eligibility criteria. Both conditions — citizenship and income — must be satisfied.

You May Qualify If…

You are a South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid SA ID
Your combined household income is R350,000 or less per year (R600,000 for students with disabilities)
You are enrolled at or have been accepted to a public university or TVET college
You have not exceeded the N+1 rule (standard duration plus 1 year; N+2 for students with disabilities)
Your household receives a SASSA Child Support, Foster Care or Care Dependency grant (within the last 3 years) — this automatically meets the income test. The SRD grant does not count.

You Do Not Qualify If…

Your household income exceeds the threshold (between R350,001 and R600,000 you may apply for the NSFAS loan scheme instead)
You are enrolled at a private institution (NSFAS only covers public institutions)
You have exceeded the N+1 rule and have not been granted an academic exception
You are a returning student who passed less than 50% of your registered modules last year, or you already hold a qualification at the same or higher level
You are not a South African citizen or permanent resident (refugees and asylum seekers are not eligible)

Not sure about your household income? Include all income sources — salaries, wages, grants, rental income, and business income — for all adults living in the household. If you appeal an income decision, NSFAS accepts only a SARS ITA34 tax assessment as proof of income.

Applying is free. NSFAS does not charge any application fee. If anyone requests payment to assist with your application, it is a scam. Report it to NSFAS immediately.

SAUS/NSFAS/DOCS/2027

Required Documents

Gather all documents before you begin your application. Incomplete submissions are the leading cause of delays and rejections.

Your Documents

Copy of Your ID or Birth Certificate South African ID book, smart ID card (upload both sides) or birth certificate. Your details are checked against Home Affairs.

Required

NSFAS Consent & Declaration Forms Consent Form signed by you and your parents, guardian or spouse (not needed for SASSA grant recipients), plus the Declaration Form if you are 34 or younger.

Required

Disability Annexure A Signed by a registered medical professional and merged with your medical report. Only for students applying with a disability (R600,000 threshold).

If applicable

Household Documents

Copies of Parent / Guardian / Spouse IDs ID copies for your parents, guardian or spouse, as requested by the myNSFAS portal.

Required

Proof of Household Income Where applicable, e.g. payslips or a SASSA grant letter. On appeal, only a SARS ITA34 tax assessment is accepted as proof of income.

Required

Supporting Certificates Death certificate(s), court guardianship proof, divorce decree, marriage certificate or retrenchment letter — or an Orphan/Vulnerable Child Declaration from a social worker (under 18).

If applicable

Getting your copies right: Upload clear, complete copies — every page readable and both sides of a smart ID card. NSFAS forms (consent, declaration, disability annexure) are on nsfas.org.za. Keep originals handy in case your university asks to see them.

SAUS/NSFAS/STEPS/2027

Application Steps

Follow each step in order. Do not skip ahead — NSFAS requires a complete application before it can be reviewed.

1

Confirm You Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before anything else, use the eligibility checklist above to confirm you qualify. Check your citizenship status, household income, and institution type. This saves time and prevents a failed application.

Takes 5 minutes — do this first

2

Gather All Required Documents

Collect every document on the checklist before opening the application portal. Incomplete applications are a leading reason for delays. Get clear, complete copies ready early, including the signed NSFAS consent and declaration forms.

Pro tip: Keep a digital copy of every document you upload, and the originals, in case NSFAS or your institution asks for them again.

3

Register on the myNSFAS Portal

Go to nsfas.org.za and click myNSFAS to create an account. Use your names exactly as on your ID, your ID number (it becomes your username), and your own email address and cellphone number. NSFAS checks your details with Home Affairs.

2027 applications open now — close 31 October 2026

4

Complete the Online Application Form

Log in to your myNSFAS account and click "Apply". Fill in all sections carefully — personal details, household information, income details, and up to three institutions and fields of study. Double-check every entry before moving to the next section.

Be accurate: Incorrect information — especially income figures — can result in disqualification, even if it was an honest mistake. If unsure, contact NSFAS before submitting.

5

Upload Your Supporting Documents

Scan or photograph each document clearly — good lighting, no shadows, all four corners visible. Upload in PDF or JPG format. Each file must be under the portal's size limit. Name your files clearly (e.g. "MyName_ID.pdf").

Missing documents? You have 30 days from NSFAS’s notice to upload them

6

Submit and Save Your Confirmation

Review your entire application one final time, then click "Submit". NSFAS will send a confirmation email and SMS to your registered details. Save or print your application reference number — you will need it for all future queries.

Deadline: 2027 applications close on 31 October 2026. Apply now — do not wait until the last day.

7

Track Your Application & Respond Promptly

Log in to myNSFAS regularly to check your application status. NSFAS may request additional documents — respond within 30 days or your application will not be processed. If approved, you will be required to sign a Student Financial Aid Agreement (SFAA) online.

NSFAS expects to release 2027 outcomes in December 2026

SAUS/NSFAS/DATES/2027

Important Dates

NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year are open now and close on 31 October 2026. These are the official dates and rules — confirm on nsfas.org.za.

18 September 2026

Open

2027 Applications Open

Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela opened the 2027 cycle on 18 September 2026. Apply online at myNSFAS or on the NSFAS app — applying is free.

31 October 2026

Deadline

2027 Application Deadline

Applications close on 31 October 2026 (South African time). Upload every required document before then — an application is only assessed once all documents are received and readable.

December 2026

Outcomes

Application Outcomes

NSFAS aims to finish its funding decisions by 30 November, audit them from 1 to 9 December, and then release outcomes by SMS, email and on myNSFAS before registration.

30 days

Rule

Missing Documents

If NSFAS tells you documents are outstanding or incorrect, you have 30 days from that notice to upload them, or your application is not processed.

10–24 December 2026

Rule

Appeals

NSFAS aims to finish funding decisions by 30 November and audit them from 1 to 9 December. If you are unsuccessful, lodge an appeal on myNSFAS between 10 and 24 December 2026. Appeal outcomes are due by 9 January 2027.

SAUS Reminder: Only NSFAS announces application dates. Ignore dates posted by unofficial websites — confirm on nsfas.org.za or with your institution's financial aid office.

SAUS/NSFAS/TIPS/2027

Tips & Common Mistakes

Students who apply successfully share one thing in common: preparation. Avoid the pitfalls that cost thousands of students their funding each year.

Helpful Tips

Apply on the first day applications open

Early applicants receive earlier decisions and avoid system congestion near the deadline. The 2027 window is open now — apply well before 31 October 2026.

Keep copies of everything you submit

Save PDFs of every uploaded document and screenshot your confirmation page. If NSFAS requests resubmission, you have ready copies.

Use an email address you check daily

All NSFAS correspondence goes to your registered email. A missed request for additional documents can invalidate your application.

Prepare your documents before applications open

Collect ID copies, the signed consent and declaration forms and proof of income early — the 2027 window is only about six weeks long (18 September – 31 October 2026).

Visit your institution's financial aid office

Many universities have dedicated NSFAS liaison staff who can help you complete your application and flag potential issues before you submit.

Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting without all required documents

Incomplete applications are automatically flagged and may be rejected outright. NSFAS will not chase you for missing documents.

Uploading unclear or incomplete copies

Blurry photos, cut-off pages or a smart ID card with only one side uploaded count as missing documents and delay your application.

Incorrect or understated household income

Fraudulent income declarations are a criminal offence. NSFAS cross-references income with SARS. Discrepancies lead to disqualification and potential prosecution.

Ignoring status updates after submission

Applications are not automatically finalised. NSFAS often requests additional information. Ignoring these requests causes your application to lapse.

Missing the appeals window

For 2027 the appeals window is fixed: 10 to 24 December 2026. NSFAS says its timetable is rigid, so missing that window means waiting a full year to reapply.

SAUS/NSFAS/SUPPORT/2027

Get Help

You are not alone. Multiple support channels exist to help you through the process — use them.

NSFAS Contact Centre

0800 067 327

Toll-free from any South African network · WhatsApp +27 63 093 5671 · USSD *120*67327#

Mon – Fri · 08:00 – 16:30

Email NSFAS

info@nsfas.org.za

For general queries, document resubmission, and status follow-ups. Include your SA ID number and application reference in all emails.

SAUS Student Support

Secretariat@saus.org.za

SAUS can assist with escalations, campus referrals, and advocacy support if your application is being unfairly handled.

Mon – Fri · 08:00 – 17:00

Visit your institution's financial aid office. Every public university has a dedicated financial aid office staffed by trained NSFAS liaison officers. They can review your documents, submit queries on your behalf, and assist with appeals — in person, for free.

SAUS/NSFAS/SOURCES/2027

Official Sources

Every date, amount and rule on this page comes from the official NSFAS documents below. Last checked on 27 September 2026 — if anything differs, the NSFAS source is correct.

NSFAS Application Guide 2027

What NSFAS Covers

Do You Qualify?

Required Documents

Application Steps

Confirm You Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Gather All Required Documents

Register on the myNSFAS Portal

Complete the Online Application Form

Upload Your Supporting Documents

Submit and Save Your Confirmation

Track Your Application & Respond Promptly

Important Dates

2027 Applications Open

2027 Application Deadline

Application Outcomes

Missing Documents

Appeals

Tips & Common Mistakes

Get Help

NSFAS Contact Centre

Email NSFAS

SAUS Student Support

Official Sources