NSFAS 2024 Allowances

 
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides funding to undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds, funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

As of 1 February 2024, NSFAS has received over 1.7 million applications for the 2024 academic year. They have also provisionally funded more than 650 000 students who are SASSA recipients.
 

The breakdown of annual allowances NSFAS recipients can expect in 2024:

Living allowances:

• The living allowance for university students in 2024 will be R16,500. Of this allowance, R3 045 will be allocated to personal care, and the remaining R13 455 will be for meal allowances.
• Students attending TVET colleges, however, will receive a living allowance of R10 000 a year.

 
** RELATED ARTICLES**

• NSFAS Applications
• Bursaries OPEN for application
• APS Score for University Entrance

Travel/ accommodation allowances:

• Students will have the option to apply for either a travel or accommodation allowance. NSFAS has also introduced the “differentiated accommodation CAP” between areas classified as metro and non-metro.
• All institutions (be it owned or leased), as well as private accommodation, will be funded on a capped amount. These amounts per academic year will be R50 000 in metro areas, and R41 000 in other areas.
• Students who reside in institution-catered accommodation will qualify for a maximum capped allowance of R66 500 (in metro areas) and R57 500 (in other areas). It’s important to note that this accommodation allowance is inclusive of both the living and personal care allowance.
• In exceptional circumstances, institutions located in non-metro areas may request that NSFAS review their designated accommodation CAP. These requests will only be considered by NSFAS if coupled with a detailed motivation, as well as evidence to support.
• Students who are willing to arrange their own accommodation will not qualify for the accommodation allowance, but rather a travel allowance to get to and from their tertiary institution. The allowance amount will be determined by the tertiary institution, and is capped up to a maximum of R7 875.

Material allowances:

• University students qualify for a learning material allowance, valued at R5 460 per annum.
• This allowance is used for the sole discretion of purchasing academic books, materials, and/or various learning aids/ devices. It’s important to note that only one material allowance will be provided per student each year.

Distance education programme allowances:

• Some students may engage in distance education programmes. These students will receive an allowance calculated on the number of courses they are engaged in, and up to a maximum of R5 460.
• Distant University students who engage in an equivalent full-time course credit load will qualify for a personal care allowance. This personal care allowance is valued at R3 045 per academic year and requires the student to be registered for up to 120 course credits in their academic year.
• The allowance for students in distance education programmes are calculated based on the number of courses they are registered in, and is set at a maximum of R5 460 per year.

TVET college allowances:

• TVET colleges catered residency in metro areas are funded up to R60 000, and in other areas up to R51 000 (both being per annum and capped amounts). TVET college students have the option to qualify for the NSFAS travel allowance or the accommodation allowance.
• Students registered for an occupational qualification at a TVET college may also qualify for allowances if they engage in simulated training. It’s important to note that students who are registered on an occupational qualification, have an employment contract and are paid a stipend will not qualify for NSFAS funding.

Students with disabilities allowances:

• Individuals who live with disabilities will qualify for a living allowance (that is inclusive of meals) as well as a learning materials allowance. The living allowance will be up to R20 000 per annum, with the learning material allowance being R6 000. The learning material allowance will be applicable on university students only, with those attending TVET colleges having this fund included in the cost of their tuition.
• In addition, these students will receive a once off assistive devices allowance up to R50 000, as well as a repairs and maintenance of assistive devices up to R2 000 per academic year.
• It’s important to note that candidates living with disabilities will not automatically qualify for the assistance devices and repair allowance. The allowance will only be allocated should the student’s application for this aid be approved, with all conditions and criteria being met.

Upfront payment of allowances

To ensure a seamless transition into the 2024 academic year, NSFAS will process up to R4.2 billion as an upfront payment to all its various institutions before the finalization of the application and registration periods.

From its financial reserves, NSFAS plans to pay R1 billion to TVET colleges, and R3.2 billion to universities.