NSFAS & Student Loans in South Africa 2026: Complete Funding Guide
Studying in South Africa costs R30,000–R120,000+ per year. NSFAS funds over 1.6 million students annually — but millions more fall through the cracks. This guide covers every funding option available, from free government bursaries to NCR-regulated student loans.
NSFAS Bursary — The Free Option
What NSFAS Covers (2026)
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Household income | Combined ≤ R350,000/year |
| Citizenship | South African citizen or permanent resident |
| Institution | Public university or TVET college |
| Academic | Pass minimum 50% of registered modules per year |
| SASSA status | SASSA recipients auto-qualify (income-verified) |
How to Apply for NSFAS
- 1Create myNSFAS account — Go to my.nsfas.org.za and register with your SA ID number and cellphone number
- 2Complete income declaration — Add parents/guardians income details. SASSA recipients: tick the SASSA box (no documents needed)
- 3Upload documents — ID copy, proof of income (payslip/affidavit), proof of registration (if continuing student)
- 4Sign consent form — NSFAS verifies income through SARS and DHA automatically
- 5Check status — Results published January-March. Check at my.nsfas.org.za or call 0800 067 327
If NSFAS Declines You — 5 Alternatives
1. Eduloan (NCR-Registered Student Loan)
NCR registered, requires a parent/guardian surety. Covers tuition, accommodation, and books at registered institutions.
2. Fundi (Formerly Eduloan Student Finance)
Pays institutions directly. Flexible plans: study-and-pay (reduced payments during study) or pay-on-completion.
3. Funza Lushaka Bursary (Teaching)
Department of Education bursary for teaching degrees. Must teach at a public school for the same number of years funded. Priority subjects: maths, science, technology, languages.
4. Corporate Bursaries
Major SA companies sponsor students in scarce skills fields:
- • Sasol: Engineering, chemistry, geoscience
- • Anglo American: Mining, engineering, finance
- • Old Mutual: Actuarial science, IT, finance
- • Eskom: Electrical/mechanical engineering
- • Transnet: Engineering, logistics, IT
5. University Financial Aid Office
Every public university has its own bursary/financial aid schemes with different criteria. Contact your university's financial aid office directly — many have funds reserved for the "missing middle" (household income R350,001 – R600,000).
Funding Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Income Limit | Repayment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSFAS | Free | R350k | None | Low-income households |
| Funza Lushaka | Free | None | Service years | Teaching students |
| Corporate | Free | Varies | Work commitment | STEM/scarce skills |
| Eduloan | ~14.5% APR | None | After graduation | Missing middle |
| Fundi | ~13-16% APR | None | During/after study | Flexible payments |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NSFAS income threshold for 2026?
For the 2026 academic year, NSFAS funds students from households earning up to R350,000 per year combined. SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify if they meet academic requirements. The threshold applies to combined household income — not individual income. Students at TVET colleges have the same threshold.
Do you have to pay NSFAS back?
Since 2018, NSFAS funding for university students has been converted to a full bursary — you do not have to pay it back if you received funding from 2018 onwards. However, NSFAS loans taken before 2018 still require repayment. TVET college funding is also a full bursary. Repayment of pre-2018 loans begins 1 year after you start earning above the minimum wage.
What does NSFAS cover?
NSFAS bursaries cover: (1) Tuition fees — paid directly to the university/TVET college, (2) Accommodation — on-campus or accredited off-campus, (3) Living allowance — R1,500/month deposited to your personal bank account, (4) Book allowance — R5,460/year for learning materials, (5) Transport allowance — R7,500/year (off-campus students only). Total value can exceed R100,000/year depending on the institution.
What if NSFAS rejects my application?
If NSFAS declines you: (1) Appeal within 30 days — especially if there were documentation errors, (2) Apply to your university's financial aid office for institutional bursaries, (3) Check Funza Lushaka (teaching bursary), DHET bursaries, and Eduloan/Fundi student loans, (4) Look at the Isivuno Student Fund or corporate bursaries (Sasol, Anglo American, etc.). Many university-specific bursaries have different income thresholds.
When is the NSFAS application deadline?
NSFAS applications typically open in August/September and close in November/December for the following academic year. For 2027 intake, expect applications to open around September 2026. Late applications are sometimes accepted for TVET colleges. First-time university applicants must apply during the official window — there is usually no late extension for universities.
Responsible Lending Notice
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Student loans from Eduloan and Fundi are regulated under the National Credit Act. You have the right to a full pre-agreement statement showing total costs before signing.
NCR Consumer Line: 0860 627 627 | www.ncr.org.za
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