Answer a few quick questions and find out in seconds whether you qualify for an NSFAS bursary, loan, or need to explore other options.
This guide also explains NSFAS status meanings, income limits, and what to do if your application is rejected or pending. It covers NSFAS requirements, documents needed, and common reasons applications are declined.
Use the calculator below to see whether you meet the NSFAS funding requirements, then follow the next steps to apply or fix common application problems.
To check your NSFAS status, log into your myNSFAS account at the official NSFAS website and click "Track Funding Progress". Here is what each status means:
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Approved / Funded | Your application has been approved and funding will be disbursed to your institution. |
| Pending | Your application is still being processed. Check back or log in to see if documents are needed. |
| Awaiting Documents | NSFAS needs one or more documents from you before it can proceed. Log in and upload the missing items. |
| Verification in Progress | NSFAS is cross-checking your details (ID, income, enrolment) with third-party data sources. |
| Provisionally Funded | You have been given conditional approval. Final funding depends on completing registration or uploading outstanding documents. |
| Awaiting Registration | NSFAS is waiting for your institution to confirm that you are officially registered for an approved programme. |
| Funding Eligible – No Admission | You meet the financial criteria but have not yet been accepted into a public university or TVET college. |
| Rejected | Your application did not meet one or more eligibility criteria. You can submit an appeal via myNSFAS within 30 days. |
These status labels match the wording shown inside the official myNSFAS portal used by applicants.
Here's a quick overview of the costs NSFAS helps with.
NSFAS pays tuition fees and registration costs directly to your institution, so you can focus on your studies.
An accommodation allowance is provided if you live away from home. The amount depends on your location and institution.
If you live at home and don't get an accommodation allowance, you can receive a transport allowance instead (not both).
Textbooks, stationery, and other approved learning materials are covered under the study-material allowance.
A food allowance is included if you are in private accommodation. If you live in university residence, food is factored into residence costs.
A personal care or living-expense allowance helps cover day-to-day costs while you study.
Approximate allowances based on the most recent official figures. University rates vary by institution.
| Allowance | Amount (per year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Registration | R 24 000 |
| Private Accommodation | R 18 900 |
| Residence Accommodation | R 15 750 |
| Transport | R 7 350 |
| Food | R 7 000 |
| Study Materials | R 2 900 |
Source: NSFAS official figures. For up-to-date amounts, visit www.nsfas.org.za.
To qualify for an NSFAS bursary, your combined household income must be R350 000 or less per year. If your income is between R350 000 and R600 000, you may qualify for the NSFAS loan scheme instead. Students with disabilities may qualify with household incomes up to R600 000.
The higher disability threshold applies only when the official Disability Annexure Form is submitted and approved by NSFAS.
NSFAS funds your qualification for its official duration plus one extra year (N+1). Students with a disability qualify for two extra years (N+2). A 3-year degree can therefore be funded for up to 4 years (or 5 years with a disability). NSFAS also requires students to meet academic progression rules set by their institution (usually around 50–60% pass rate). This calculator does not assess academic performance.
University students must meet the academic progression requirements set by their institution (often around 50–60%) each year to remain eligible for continued NSFAS funding. Falling below this can end your funding.
NSFAS will only fund one qualification at one institution at a time. You cannot receive funding for multiple programmes simultaneously.
Bursary (≤ R350 000 income): no repayment needed, covers tuition, accommodation, transport and allowances. Loan (R350 000–R600 000): must be repaid after you finish studying; covers tuition and accommodation — transport and some other allowances may differ from the bursary. A parent or guardian surety is also required for the loan. Check the exact allowances covered with your institution or on the NSFAS loan-scheme guidelines.
If you have already completed a qualification at the same level, NSFAS will not fund another qualification at that level. This is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected.
If your NSFAS status shows Pending, it usually means documents are still being verified. Log into your myNSFAS account and check if any documents are missing or unreadable.
Common reasons include household income above the threshold, missing documents, or studying at a private institution. You can submit an appeal through your myNSFAS portal.
Ensure you uploaded your ID, parent/guardian ID, proof of income, and proof of acceptance to a public institution. Missing documents are the #1 cause of delays.
You can appeal a rejected NSFAS decision directly inside your myNSFAS account. Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the decision.
Eligibility information on this page is based on official NSFAS guidelines, FAQs, and loan scheme documents published on nsfas.org.za.
Below are answers to the most common questions students ask about NSFAS status checks, eligibility rules, income limits, and required documents.
Got questions? We've answered the most common ones below.
Your combined household income must be R350 000 or less per year to qualify for the NSFAS bursary. If your income is between R350 000 and R600 000, you may qualify for the NSFAS loan scheme instead.
No. You must be a South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid South African ID number. Foreign nationals are not eligible for NSFAS funding.
No. NSFAS only funds students enrolled at accredited public universities and public TVET colleges in South Africa. Private or unaccredited institutions are not covered.
The N+ rule sets the maximum number of years NSFAS will fund you. It equals the official duration of your qualification plus one extra year. For example, a 3-year degree can be funded for up to 4 years.
No — the bursary does not need to be repaid as long as you complete your studies and do not misuse funds. However, the separate NSFAS loan product (for higher-income households) does require repayment.
You'll need: your South African ID, a copy of your parent or guardian's ID, proof of household income (payslips, tax returns, or an affidavit), proof of residence, and a letter of acceptance from a public institution. SASSA grant recipients do not need to provide separate income proof. If you have a disability, you must also submit the Disability Annexure Form, completed by a registered medical doctor or suitably qualified professional. Orphans or vulnerable children should include the Orphan / Vulnerable Child Declaration form — missing either of these is a very common reason applications are delayed or rejected.
For 2026, applications opened on 17 September 2025 and closed on 15 November 2025. Always check www.nsfas.org.za for the latest dates each year.
Log into your myNSFAS account at www.nsfas.org.za, then click "Track funding progress". You can also contact NSFAS on the toll-free number 0800 067 327 or email [email protected].
This status means NSFAS is waiting for your institution to confirm that you are officially registered for an approved programme. Log into your student portal and make sure your registration is fully complete. If it already is, contact your institution's financial-aid office — they may need to update NSFAS on your behalf.
The NSFAS bursary no longer covers postgraduate qualifications — this includes honours degrees, postgraduate certificates, diplomas, master's and PhD degrees (discontinued since 2021). However, the NSFAS loan scheme does explicitly include honours and postgraduate studies for households with a combined income between R350 000 and R600 000. Students pursuing research-based postgraduate degrees should also explore the National Research Foundation (NRF) at nrf.ac.za, which partners with NSFAS to support this transition.
Visit the official NSFAS portal to create your myNSFAS account and submit your application.
Go to Official NSFAS Website →