How Much Does NSFAS Pay For Accommodation?

How Much Does NSFAS Pay For Accommodation?

Pursuing higher education often requires students to move closer to their institution and find suitable accommodation.
However, the cost of housing can be a significant financial burden, especially for students from low-income backgrounds. To address this challenge, NSFAS provides an accommodation allowance to assist eligible students in covering their housing expenses.

The amount allocated by NSFAS varies based on factors such as the type of accommodation and the institution’s location. For university students, NSFAS covers accommodation based on the actual costs charged by the institution, ensuring that private accommodation costs do not exceed those of university residences. TVET college students receive a set accommodation allowance of R24,000 per annum for urban areas, R18,900 per annum for peri-urban areas, and R15,750 per annum for rural areas.

To enhance accessibility and ensure students secure accredited housing, NSFAS has introduced an accommodation portal for the 2026 academic year. This platform allows beneficiaries and applicants to apply for and reserve approved private student accommodations that meet NSFAS standards. Applications for the 2026 academic year opened on January 6. It is essential to ensure that any accommodation chosen is accredited by NSFAS. Staying in unaccredited housing without NSFAS and institutional approval may result in non-payment of accommodation allowances.

READ ALSO: How Much Is NSFAS Allowance Per Year?

How Much Does NSFAS Pay For Accommodation?

NSFAS covers university accommodation based on the actual costs charged by the institution, ensuring that private accommodation expenses do not exceed the cost of university residences. For TVET students, the accommodation allowance is set at R24,000 per annum for urban areas, R18,900 per annum for peri-urban areas, and R15,750 per annum for rural areas. NSFAS provides the following amounts for students in TVET Colleges and public universities to cater for their accommodation;

University:

Accommodation:  As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)

TVET College

Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
Accommodation in a peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum

Types Of Rooms NSFAS Pays For

Room Type Descriptions:

Single Room (Minimum 8m²) – A student may be accommodated in a single room if the room size is at least 8m².
Shared Room (2 Beds, Minimum 14m²) – Two students may share a room if it is at least 14m².
Shared Room (3 Beds, Minimum 19m²) – Three students may share a room if it is at least 19m².

Metro and Non-Metro Classification:

Metro – Properties eligible for rental allocation under Metro must be located within the following designated municipal areas in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, as defined by the municipal demarcation board:

Buffalo City Metro
City of Cape Town
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

Non-Metro – Properties situated outside the Metro municipal boundaries, as designated by the municipal demarcation board, fall under the Non-Metro category and must claim the rental allocation accordingly.

Click HERE for NSFAS Accommodation Grading Levels

Steps to Secure Accommodation as an NSFAS Beneficiary

Follow these steps to secure accommodation as an NSFAS beneficiary or a provisionally funded applicant enrolled at a university or TVET college for the 2026 academic year;

Step 1: Log In

Access the myNSFAS portal and sign in using your student credentials.

*Step 2: Search for Accommodation

Explore the list of NSFAS-approved student accommodations near your institution.

Step 3: Apply

Select your preferred accommodation and complete the application form.

*Step 4: Confirmation

Receive an email or SMS confirming your accommodation reservation.

READ: How Many Months Is NSFAS For?

How to Register As An Accommodation Provider

Follow the steps below to register with the accommodation provider:

Step 1: Create an Account

*Step 2: Add Property Details

Enter the necessary property information for verification.

Step 3: Upload Documents

Submit the required documents, including proof of ownership, and make payment based on the number of beds you are registering.

Step 4: Inspection & Grading

Ensure compliance with the minimum norms and standards for student housing through an inspection and grading process.

Contact NSFAS

Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Twitter: @myNSFAS
Instagram: @myNSFAS
WhatsApp: +27 63 093 5671
USSD:*120*67327#

Visit the official website of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for more information. I hope the provided information is helpful, share your thoughts below in the comment section.

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