NSFAS Online Application 2026-2027 Opening Date

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays a role in enabling South African students to pursue higher education. For prospective undergraduate students aiming to begin their studies in the 2026 academic year, understanding the NSFAS application timeline and requirements is essential. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries to eligible students enrolled in public universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover registration fees, living expenses, study materials, and allowances for personal care and travel.

The application process is conducted online, requiring applicants to submit necessary documents and meet specific eligibility criteria. For the 2026 academic year, the NSFAS application period is scheduled to open on September 1, 2025, and will remain open until January 31, 2026. Submitting applications within this timeframe is crucial, as late submissions will not be considered. NSFAS also provides support to first-time applicants by visiting universities and TVET colleges from September 1 to November 30, 2025.

This essay will provide a comprehensive guide to the NSFAS online application process for the 2026-2027 academic year, including eligibility requirements, key dates, required documentation, and step-by-step instructions for applying. Understanding these details will help students navigate the application process successfully and increase their chances of receiving financial aid.

Key Application Dates

The 2025 National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application period was open from the beginning of the year until December 15, 2024. All applications were required to be submitted online.

Key application dates

Application period: Open from the beginning of the year until December 15, 2024
Trimester 2: May 12–23, 2025
Semester 2: July 14–31, 2025
Trimester 3: September 8–19, 2025

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?

All South African citizens
All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
A person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per annum
Students who started studying before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum.

READ ALSO: Nsfas Opening Date For 2026-2027

Who should not apply?

Students who have completed a previous qualification.
Students with a combined household income of more than R350 000 per annum.
Students who have already applied, qualified and received funding. They are automatically funded for the duration of their studies provided they pass their modules and meet the academic requirements.

Documentation Required To Apply For NSFAS

To apply for NSFAS, you typically need a certified copy of your ID document, certified copies of your parent’s or guardian’s ID documents, proof of income for your parents or guardian (like payslips), and in some cases, a death certificate if a parent is deceased; all documents should be certified and not older than three months. Key documents required for NSFAS application:

Certified copy of your ID document
Certified copies of parents/guardian’s ID documents
Proof of income for parents/guardian (payslips or employment letter)
Latest academic results or transcript
Death certificate (if applicable)
Disability Annexure A (if applicable)

Important points to remember:

Verification: All documents need to be certified and may need to be verified by NSFAS.
SASSA recipients: If you are a SASSA beneficiary, you may not need to provide proof of income.
Specific situations: Depending on your circumstances, additional documents like retrenchment letters or divorce decrees might be required.

How To Apply For NSFAS

Once you have confirmed your eligibility and gathered the necessary documents, follow these steps to apply for NSFAS:

Visit the NSFAS website at www.nsfas.org.za and click on the myNSFAS tab.
Create a myNSFAS account if you do not have one, or log in to your existing account.
Click on the “Apply” tab on the myNSFAS page and fill in the required sections with your details.
Upload all the necessary supporting documents.
Carefully review your application to ensure all information is accurate before submitting it.
Click the “SUBMIT” button to ensure your application is sent for evaluation.
It is essential to keep track of your application status by logging in to your myNSFAS account.

What does the bursary cover?

Amounts indicated for accommodation, living allowance, transport and learning materials need to be aligned with the approved latest DHET guidelines.

UNIVERSITY

Accommodation: As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7 500 per annum
Living allowance R15, 000 per annum
Book allowances R5200 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

TVET

Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
Accommodation in a peri-urban area is R18,900 per annum
Accommodation in a rural area Ris 15,750 per annum
Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350 per annum
Transport R7000 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

Prospective students should mark their calendars with the NSFAS application dates, ensuring they submit their applications between September 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026. Gathering all necessary documents and completing the application accurately through the myNSFAS portal are vital steps. By adhering to the guidelines and deadlines, students can increase their chances of receiving financial aid for their tertiary education in 2026. NSFAS also provides support to first-time applicants by having a team visit various universities and TVET colleges from September 1 to November 30, 2025. Click here for more information about the NSFAS Online Application.

For general and student enquiries:

For all other queries regarding students:

Tel No.: 08000 67327

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

Physical Address (Head Office):

The Halyard, 4 Christiaan Barnard St,

Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001

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