The NSFAS Fund is an important part of the government’s efforts to promote post-school education and training. The fund provides financial aid to students enrolled at TVET colleges and public universities in South Africa. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was established in terms of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Act 56 of 1999). NSFAS is managed by the Department of Higher Education and Training. It’s a national student assistance programme that provides access to loans, bursaries and grants for students who meet certain criteria.

NSFAS is a loan scheme introduced in 1999, to help students from poor and working-class families access and succeed in higher education. The scheme ensures that all eligible enrolled students get a bursary, so they can focus on their studies instead of financial worries.

NSFAS aims to ensure that young people from poor and working class families have meaningful access to, and success in, higher education and training.

Start by creating NSFAS Account;

• Log onto www.nsfas.org.za
• Click on ‘register’, Complete the required fields (ID number
• cellphone number and email address)
• Upload a copy of your ID or birth certificate. If you are uploading a copy of a Smart ID
• please ensure that both sides are visible on the copy

1. Type in first names (as per ID number)
2. Type in Surname (as per ID number)
3. Type in your ID number (will your username)
4. Type in your own Email address
5. Type in your own Cellphone number
6. Accept terms and conditions Tick the box provided, to allow NSFAS to check the information provided (compulsory)
7. Create a Password, To (protect your account)

Document Required by NSFAS

The nsfas application process is not complete without the relevant supporting documents. Please ensure you upload the correct supporting documents for us to process your applications;

• Once the student has created an account/profile and captured the required information, they click on apply and the screen above appears. Student should fill in the fathers’ details, if the field applies to them and Click Next
• Student should fill in the mothers’ details only if this field applies to them and click Next, if this field does not apply to the student, they can Click Next
• Married students with spouses should fill in the required details and Click Next, if this field does not apply to the student, they can Click Next
• Students with guardians should fill in the required information and Click Next, if this field does not apply to the student, they can Click Next
• Once the student has completed all required fields and steps, the student will be required to upload the necessary documents, upon completion student can Click Next
• The student should confirm if the details and documents uploaded are correct and submit
• Final Step: Once the student clicks on “Submit” the application will be submitted successfully

Eligibility Criteria;

If you are a South African citizen and you plan to study at a public university or TVET college in 2023, then you may be eligible for a bursary from NSFAS. NSFAS provides financial assistance to students who qualify for a bursary.

• SASSA grant recipients or
• Your combined household income is not more than R350 000 per year or
• Person with a disability with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per year or
• Student who begun their university studies before 2018 and their household income is not more than R122 000 per year

NSFAS Application Process

This is a confirmation that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has received and opened your application. Note that NSFAS will need more information from you to process the application, check what supporting documents are required and ensure that you have all the relevant information

1. Your own cellphone number and email address
2. Copy of your ID or birth certificate
3. ID copies of parents, guardian or spouse (If applicable)
4. Your proof of income or 1 year’s IRP5 (if applicable)
5. Your parents, guardian or spouse’s proof of income
6. If you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required
7. Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form, click here to download
8. An applicant who is recognised as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form, click here to download.