How much is the NSFAS allowance for 2026 per month and what does it cover?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a scheme founded by the government of South Africa. The scheme provides financial assistance to students to help pay for the cost of their tertiary education. The NSFAS allowance for 2026 will vary in amount by institution or location. Here is a breakdown of the allowance and the costs it covers.

Key takeaways

• The NSFAS loan allowance is given to students from low-income households to pursue higher education.
• NSFAS accommodation allowance is capped at R45,000 per annum. As a rule, the cost for private accommodation must not exceed the costs for residence within the institution.
• The NSFAS transport allowance is capped at R7,500 per annum for undergraduate students, and R7,350 per annum for TVET students.
• The book allowance is capped at R5,200 per annum, while the personal care allowance is capped at R2,900 per annum for undergraduate students.

Read also

Former North West TVET SRC member arrested for alleged NSFAS Fraud

NSFAS allowance for 2026

NSFAS is under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It has assisted numerous people from low-income households to pursue higher education. NSFAS was established in 1999.

The bursary caters to daily living expenses, accommodation, learning materials needed, and transport. All NSFAS bursary beneficiaries must apply to get support.

How does NSFAS work?

The NSFAS bursary works by sending financial assistance to bright students to pursue higher studies after completing high school. These students must come from needy backgrounds, i.e., households earning a combined income of R350,000 or less per year.

Eligible students must first apply for the funding to stand a chance of getting it. The support is issued to students pursuing courses in TVET colleges and public universities. Only a few post-graduate degrees are supported in this government-sponsored scheme.

Orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) from households receiving assistance from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are eligible for NSFAS financing for higher studies.

Read also

How long does NSFAS take to respond? Application timelines explained

How much does NSFAS pay in total?

The total amount remitted to individuals may vary by institution and location. After receiving applications, NSFAS makes decisions based on the expressed need and available proof. The amount disbursed for TVET colleges may be different from that issued to undergraduate students.

Criteria for NSFAS monthly allowance

There are set NSFAS requirements that guide who is eligible for financial aid. The following categories of people qualify for funding.

• All South African citizens
• All SASSA grant recipients
• Students whose combined annual household income is R350,000 or less
• Abled-differently persons from households with a combined annual income of not more than R600,000
• Students who started higher studies before 2018 and whose combined annual household income is R122,000 or less

What does NSFAS cover?

The essentials covered by NSFAS are explored below. The amount issued caters to basic life and education needs when a student is in school. Here are the 2026 NSFAS allowance payments for University and TVET colleges.

Read also

Provisionally funded meaning in NSFAS: what you should expect

University coverage

The latest DHET guidelines indicate that financial support should cover the following necessities.

• The NSFAS accommodation allowance for 2026 is up to R45,000 per year. This allowance is as per the costs charged by the university. If a student opts for private accommodation, the amount must not surpass the cost of the university residence.
• The NSFAS transport allowance (up to 40 kilometers from the institution) is capped at R7,500 per year.
• A living allowance of R1,650 per month or R16,500 annually.
• Book allowances or learning materials allowance of up to R5,200 annually.
• Personal care or incidental allowance of up to R2,900 yearly for students in catered residences.

How much is the NSFAS allowance for 2026 per month for TVET colleges?

The financial aid offered to students in TVET institutions covers the following necessities.

• NSFAS accommodation allowance in a town or other urban area is R24,000 per year or R18,900 per annum for students residing in peri-urban areas. Those in rural areas get R15,750 per year.
• Transport fee of up to 40 km from the institution is R7,350 annually.
• Book allowances or learning material allowance up to R5,200 per year.
• Personal care allowance or incidental allowance of up to R2,900 per year.

Read also

US makes about-turn on HIV aid as Trump lifts ban to SA, low-income countries — for now

NB: Abled-differently students are eligible for additional financial support for acquiring special equipment, human support, and medical assessments.

The amounts indicated above follow the guidelines of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This means that all institutions follow similar guidelines, i.e., the University of South Africa NSFAS allowance is the same as all other universities.

NSFAS application

If you wish to benefit from the NSFAS funding, you must meet the eligibility criteria and apply. New applicants should apply through the official NSFAS site.

Continuous students can apply via the site or their institution. Note that you will be required to pay your registration fee while your application is being evaluated.

Application documents

The following documents are required when applying for funding.

• Copy of your South African ID
• Proof of annual household income
• Parents' South African IDs (for dependent applicants)
• A copy of your academic record

How many months does NSFAS give allowances?

NSFAS allowances are paid over a period of 10 months. Usually, the payment dates are at the beginning of each month. Note that the specific NSFAS allowance 2026 payment dates remain undisclosed.

Read also

What is the SARS consent form for NSFAS, and where can you get it?

How do you get your money from NSFAS?

To withdraw your NSFAS allowance into your account, follow the steps below;

• Create your profile on the NSFAS website by clicking myNSFAS on the upper right corner of the page (see image below).
• Log into your account with a username and password.
• Enter your banking details.
• After verification, the money will be deposited directly into your bank account. Next, you can withdraw as you please.

Alternatively, you can withdraw using USSD from stores such as Usave, Checkers, SPAR, Choppies, Shoprite, and Boxer. Follow the steps below;

• Dial 134176#
• Enter your ID number
• You will receive a password via SMS
• Dial 134176# again and enter your password
• Withdraw the funds from the store.

NSFAS contact number

If you need to contact NSFAS for more information, use the contact details below.

• Telephone number: 08000 67327
• Email address: info@nsfas.org.za/ collections@nsfas.org.za
• Instagram: @mynsfas
• Facebook: @National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

Read also

Matric results: Expert proclaims 'active citizenship' is key to systemic change in education

How much does NSFAS pay for accommodation?

NSFAS pays accommodation costs as per the costs charged by your university. For 2026, the NSFAS accommodation allowance for university students will be capped at R45,000 per year. If a university student opts for private accommodation, the amount must not exceed the cost of the university residence.

On the other hand, it pays R24,000 per year for TVET students living in a town or other urban area, R18,900 per annum for those in peri-urban areas, or R15,750 per year for those in rural areas.

How much is the NSFAS allowance for 2026 per month?

NSFAS offers students a living allowance of R1,650 per month. This is besides the accommodation, transport, and learning materials allowance.

What is the maximum amount NSFAS will fund?

The total amount of NSFAS funds may vary by institution and location. Even so, there are caps for various allowances, and you can read about them in the earlier sections of this article.

Read also

Lecturer salary in South Africa: How much do they earn in 2025?

What are the NSFAS allowance payment dates?

NSFAS normally disburses funds within the first week of each month. Allowances are paid for ten months a year.

Which institutions does NSFAS provide funding for?

NSFAS only provides financial assistance to eligible students who have applied and have been accepted at public South African universities and TVET colleges for approved funded programmes.

Should you apply for NSFAS funding every year?

No, NSFAS funds you for the duration of your studies. You do not need to reapply for NSFAS every semester or year.

Does NSFAS pay for transport?

Yes, NSFAS has a transport allowance of up to R7,500 per year for university and TVET colleges.

How much is the NSFAS allowance for 2026 per month for accommodation?

The NSFAS accommodation allowance is capped at R45,000 per annum. As a rule, the cost for private accommodation must not exceed the costs for residence within the institution.

Read also

President Cyril Ramaphosa claims NSFAS would disappear if the ANC removed from power

NSFAS allowance has aided thousands of people in accessing higher education in South Africa. Persons who meet the qualification criteria should apply for funding to make their education dreams come true.

Briefly.co.za recently published how to unlock an NSFAS account. It is not unusual to get locked out of your NSFAS account for different reasons.

One of the biggest reasons for account locking is entering an incorrect wallet password more than three times. This activates a lock security feature that protects beneficiaries from fraudulent or unauthorised access to their accounts.

Source: Briefly News