Details About NSFAS Students Funding 2026

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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, better known as NSFAS, offers bursaries to South African students who plan to study at public universities and TVET colleges. They cover funding for registration, tuition, and allowances.

You may be wondering if they fund students who pursue online studies.

The answer is yes they do but only if you’re doing a full-time programme or university degree at a public university or TVET College.

They fund students who are enrolled at the University of South Africa (Unisa) which is a distance e-learning university. Unisa offers many courses online which can be funded by NSFAS.

However, NSFAS does not fund any short courses or short-term degrees administered online and they also don’t fund any online degrees offered at private colleges.

See Also: How to Repay Your NSFAS Loans

You may apply for NSFAS if you meet all of the following:

• You are a South African citizen.
• You’re applying to a public university or TVET college.
• Your combined household income is less than R350,000 per year.
• If you are disabled, your household income must be less than R600,000.
• You are either:
  • A Grade 12 learner, or
  • Already registered at a university or college and need funding

NSFAS does not fund:

• Private college/university students
• Students pursuing short courses or part-time qualifications

Before applying, make sure you have the following documents:

For All Applicants:

• Copy of your ID document or smart card
• Your parents’ or guardian’s ID documents
• Proof of household income (payslips or affidavits)
• Your phone number and email address

If applicable:

• SASSA recipients: Provide your SASSA card number (no proof of income needed)
• Orphans: Death certificates of parents
• Disability applicants: Completed Disability Annexure A form
• Students with unemployed parents: Sworn affidavits

📝 Tip: Scan or photograph all documents clearly before uploading them.

Application results will be communicated to all applicants once NSFAS receives confirmation from the Institution that an academic offer has been made to you.

Once approved for the bursary, the only requirement to stay funded is that students need to pass their modules. However, NSFAS does give grace in case something happens and allows students to fail one year and still be funded.

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