Updated 2026-11-14
NSFAS funding is for eligible South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or already study, at a public university or TVET college. This guide uses NSFAS and Department of Higher Education and Training information available on 14 November 2026.
Do not pay anyone to apply for NSFAS or to check an application. NSFAS says applying is free.
There is a date conflict in official 2027 information. NSFAS's disability-support page gives 18 September to 31 October 2026, while the Minister's 18 September launch statement gives a closing date of 18 November 2026. Check your myNSFAS account and the current official NSFAS notice immediately rather than relying on either date alone.
For a bursary, you must be a South African citizen or permanent resident planning to study, or already studying, at a public university or TVET college. The qualification must be an approved undergraduate qualification and you must meet the applicable funding requirements.
| Applicant category | Bursary financial requirement |
|---|---|
| Verified SASSA grant recipient | Automatically meets the financial requirement. |
| Non-SASSA applicant | Gross combined household income of R350,000 or less per year. |
| Person with a disability | Gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year. |
Gross income is income before deductions. For an unmarried applicant, NSFAS counts the applicant's income with their parent or parents' income, or legal guardian's income. For a married applicant, it counts the applicant's income with their spouse's income. Meeting an income threshold alone does not guarantee funding: NSFAS must also assess the application and verification information.
If your household income is above the bursary threshold, the NSFAS FAQ says undergraduate loan applicants fall within a gross combined household income range of R350,000 to R600,000 per year. A loan must be repaid under its terms. Postgraduate university loan applicants have an income threshold of R600,000 or less per year.
| Official publication | Dates stated for 2027 |
|---|---|
| NSFAS Disability Support page | Opens 18 September 2026. Closes 31 October 2026. |
| DHET Minister's launch statement, dated 18 September 2026 | Opens 18 September 2026. Closes 18 November 2026. Successful applicants will be told outcomes in December. |
These official sources do not match. Since today is 14 November 2026, do not assume that a new application is still possible just because the Minister's statement gives 18 November. Log in to myNSFAS and follow the live application status and instructions there. If you submitted before the applicable cut-off, keep checking your profile and contact details for requests or updates.
A funding application is separate from admission. The Minister's statement says you must also apply to the university or TVET college: NSFAS eligibility does not secure a place in a qualification.
Complete the application accurately and upload the documents requested for your circumstances. NSFAS says the consent form is essential because it allows financial verification. An application without an accurate, complete and signed consent form is closed and marked rejected.
| Document or information | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| South African ID number, cellphone number and email address | Needed to create a myNSFAS account, according to NSFAS's 2027 disability application instructions. |
| NSFAS Consent Form | All applicants. It must be signed by the applicant and parent, legal guardian or spouse. NSFAS says electronic signatures are not accepted. |
| Declaration Form | May be needed by applicants aged 34 or younger where usual parent or guardian information cannot be provided. NSFAS says it is completed by the applicant and parent, guardian or spouse and confirmed by a social worker or the principal of the last school attended. |
| Disability Annexure | Applicants with disabilities, unless already receiving NSFAS disability funding. It must be completed, stamped and signed by an appropriately qualified professional. |
| Medical or professional report | Where required for a disability application. NSFAS says a psychosocial or neurodevelopmental report must not be older than 3 years. |
| Orphan or Vulnerable Child Form | Applicants under 18 who are orphans or vulnerable children and cannot provide usual parent or guardian information. A Department of Social Development social worker completes it. |
Use clear uploads. NSFAS says photographs taken on a cellphone can be used, but all four corners must be visible, the text must be readable, no important information may be cut off, and every required page must be uploaded. NSFAS may ask for a document again if it cannot be read.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Create or use your profile | Register on myNSFAS with correct personal information, or log in if you already have an account. |
| 2. Start the application | Select APPLY and complete your personal and household information in full. |
| 3. Add forms and documents | Upload the signed consent form and every document NSFAS requests for your circumstances. |
| 4. Check and submit | Check the details and uploads, submit the application, and save the reference number. |
| 5. Track it | Use your myNSFAS account to track the status and keep your contact details up to date. |
If you need help, NSFAS lists its toll-free student contact number as 08000 67327 and its general email as info@nsfas.org.za. Its contact page also lists WhatsApp at +27 63 093 5671.
Protect your application details. Do not give an OTP, password or money to someone claiming they can apply or secure funding for you.
The official pages available on 14 November 2026 conflict. NSFAS's disability page says applications closed on 31 October 2026, while the DHET Minister's launch statement says 18 November 2026. Check the live status in myNSFAS and the current NSFAS notice immediately.
Yes, you can apply for an approved undergraduate qualification at a public university or TVET college. Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet NSFAS's financial requirement, but NSFAS still applies its other requirements and verification.
Yes. The DHET Minister's 2027 launch statement says that an NSFAS application does not guarantee a study place. Apply for admission to your chosen institution as well.
NSFAS says it cannot assess financial eligibility without an accurate, complete and signed consent form. The application will be closed and marked rejected.
No. NSFAS says applying is free. Never pay someone to submit an application, check a status or promise funding.