What Do You Need To Apply For NSFAS 2026-2027

To successfully apply for NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funding for the 2026-2027 academic year, you’ll need to gather specific documents and information. NSFAS provides financial aid to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue higher education in South Africa. Ensuring you have all the necessary items will streamline your application process and increase your chances of approval.

Firstly, you will need your South African ID or a valid passport if you are an international student. Secondly, an official copy of your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)’ ID(s) is required, or an affidavit if not available. Thirdly, proof of income is essential, including payslips if employed, or a SASSA grant letter if applicable.

Further prerequisites include your academic records, such as your Matric certificate or latest academic transcript. Moreover, you will require proof of registration or acceptance at a recognized South African public university or TVET college. Finally, you may need to provide any other documents NSFAS specifies during the application period, so keep an eye on their official website for updates.

READ ALSO: Applying NSFAS Online 2026-2027

NSFAS Overview

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial aid to eligible South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds to fund their higher education at 26 public universities and 50 TVET colleges. NSFAS typically announces the opening date for applications in advance, with applications opening around September 28 and remaining open for several months. For the 2025 academic year, applications officially closed on December 15, 2024, with a reopening for TVET College students from January 13 to January 24, 2025. It is important to note that NSFAS has not announced any extensions or special application windows for January 2025 for the 2025/26 application cycle

What does the bursary cover?

Amounts indicated for accommodation, living allowance, transport and learning materials must 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

Eligibility Criteria For NSFAS

To qualify for NSFAS funding, you must meet the following criteria:

Be a South African citizen or permanent resident
Have a combined household income that meets the specified limit
Be registered at an approved public institution in South Africa
Be studying towards an undergraduate qualification
Pass your modules and meet academic requirements

Household income

For a bursary, your combined household income must be no more than R350,000 per year
For a loan, your combined household income must be between R350,001 and R600,000 per year
If you have a disability, your combined household income must be no more than R600,000 per year

Other eligibility criteria

SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for financial eligibility
Students who are unmarried and independent of their parents may need to submit a report from a social worker or a court order
Students who change institution types may need to re-apply for funding
Students who de-register or drop out during an academic term may need to re-apply.

Documentation Required To Apply For NSFAS

NSFAS requires personal information from agencies relating to the employment status and level of income of the parents or guardians/spouse of the applicant.
The Principal of the School or the Social Worker completes the NSFAS Declaration Form. (Non-SASSA only).
The Orphan and Vulnerable Child Declaration Form (for applicants under 18 years) is completed by the Social Worker. (Non-SASSA only).
The NSFAS Consent form is completed by the applicant and/or parent/s, guardian or spouse. SASSA recipients do not require this form. (Non-SASSA only).
If an applicant has indicated that they have a Legal guardian, they must provide proof of guardianship issued by the Court.
Guardianship (not court-appointed) applicant to provide NSFAS declaration form.
Disability Annexure Form: The form must be filled out by a certified, duly registered medical doctor or another suitably qualified professional (such as an optometrist, physiotherapist, or head of the disability unit), who may confirm the student’s status as disabled and specify the kind of support the student needs as well as how the student would benefit from the suggested support.

Other documents: Depending on your application type, you may need to provide:

NSFAS Declaration Form
Orphan and Vulnerable Child Declaration Form
NSFAS Consent form
Disability Annexure A Form
Retrenchment letter
Death certificate(s)
Divorce Decree
Proof of legal guardianship
Marriage certificate

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.

Financial Eligibility and Appeals

The financial eligibility criteria stipulates that to qualify for NSFAS, students must have a household income not exceeding R350,000 per annum, while disabled students may have a household income of up to R600,000 per annum. If an application is unsuccessful, an appeal can be submitted with the correct documents, which vary depending on the reason for the unsuccessful application. For example, vulnerable children must provide a Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form, while those with a deceased parent/guardian/spouse need to submit a death certificate. A Sassa letter is needed to confirm grant recipient status if applicable.

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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