NSFAS Funding for TVET students
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), invites students to apply for NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funding, for the 2023 academic year.
Funding is available to disadvantaged students who are currently studying or wish to study towards an undergraduate qualification, at public universities or TVET colleges in South Africa.
TVET/ Vocational courses
TVET (Technical and Vocational Educational Training) courses are vocational and occupational. This means that a student will receive education and training that will prepare them for a specific career avenue, employment, or entrepreneurial possibility. TVET and vocational colleges mostly focus on “hands-on” learning exposure which differs from universities that opt to focus more on theory-based assessments and assignments.
Why to study at a TVET college
TVET colleges are beneficial as they will equip a learner with vocational and occupational skills which will aid them in finding employment. It will also allow them to unlock their entrepreneurial potential and skills to explore new career avenues. South Africa is currently facing a shortage of professionals within several critical skill sectors, such as engineering, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and more. These critical skills are needed to aid the economy in flourishing and by studying at a TVET college, one can gain the knowledge and skills needed to combat this shortage.
Courses offered at TVET colleges
Public TVET colleges offer a wide range of courses and programmes that have been specifically designed to combat the scarce skills shortage within South Africa. Many courses vary in duration with some being short courses that only consist of a couple of hours, to a full-on diploma course that runs for 3 years. Owing to this, the costs of courses do vary, however, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) programmes are subsidised by 80% of the delivery cost, with the remaining 20% being paid by the student.
Often, NSFAS funds Ministerial approved programmes, and students must refer to each College. However, there are some generally funded programmes provided at TVET colleges, such as:
- Engineering studies (National Certificate – Vocational): NQF Level 2-4 and Engineering studies (Report 191 N1-N6)
- Engineering and Related Design, Electrical Infrastructure, Civil Engineering Construction, and Information Technology and Computer Science
- Business and Utility Studies (National Certificate – Vocational): NQF Level 2-4 and Report 191 N1-N6
- Management, Marketing, Finance, Office Administration, Economics and Accounting, Education and Development, Hospitality, Tourism, Safety in Society, and Transport and Logistics
- Pre-learning Programme (PLP) funding via NSFAS
TVET students application criteria for a NSFAS bursary
- Only South African citizens may apply for NSFAS funding
- Students must be registered to study or planning to register on a PLP, NC(V)/ Report 191 programme at any of the available 50 TVET colleges within the country
- Students who receive the bursary opportunity must need financial assistance. This will be determined by NSFAS’ financial eligibility criteria
- Candidates who are returning students must show proven and accepted academic performance (i.e. be academically deserving.) This will be determined by their chosen College’s progression policy or the progression requirements of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines
- Candidates must not be enrolled for a qualification that is the same as any previous learning they engaged in that was state-funded
- Candidates will qualify if their combined family income is less than R350 000 per annum and they are admitted/ received a definite offer for enrollment in a College
Application cycles for TVET colleges
- National Certificate Vocation (NC(v)): This application cycle is an annual online application and walk-in assisted capture application. This usually takes place at the beginning of each yea.
- Trimester 2 and 3 as per the DEHT calendar: This application cycle takes place in May and September respectively, as well as a walk-in assistive calendar application
- Semester 2 (June)- July walk-in, assisted capture application
Where to apply for TVET college funding
For TVET college funding, you can apply through:
- TVET colleges bursary offices (see the list of TVET colleges below)
- Online by following the NSFAS application instructions
- NSFAS’ head office
Expenses NSFAS covers for TVET college students
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Personal care allowance
- Transport allowance
- Accommodation allowance
TVET colleges NSFAS covers
NSFAS covers studies at any of these 50 TVET colleges within South Africa:
Gauteng:
- Central Johannesburg TVET College
- Ekurhuleni East TVET College
- Ekurhuleni West TVET College
- Sedibeng TVET College
- South West Gauteng TVET College
- Tshwane North TVET College
- Tshwane South TVET College
- Western College for TVET
Western Cape:
- Boland TVET College
- College of Cape Town
- False Bay TVET College
- Northlink TVET College
- South Cape TVET College
- West Coast TVET College
Northern Cape:
- Northern Cape Rural TVET College
- Northern Cape Urban TVET College
North-West:
- Orbit TVET College
- Taletso TVET College
- Vuselela TVET College
Eastern Cape:
- Buffalo City TVET College
- East Cape Midlands TVET College
- Ikhala TVET College
- Ingwe TVET College
- King Hintsa TVET College
- King Sabatha Dalindyebo TVET College
- Lovedale TVET College
- Port Elizabeth TVET College
Free State:
- Flavius Mareka TVET College
- Goldsfields TVET College
- Maluti TVET College
- Motheo TVET College
KwaZulu-Natal:
- Coastal KZN TVET College
- Elangeni TVET College
- Esayidi TVET College
- Majuba TVET College
- Mnambithi TVET College
- Mthashana TVET College
- Thekwini TVET College
- Umfolozi TVET College
- Umgugundlovu TVET College
Mpumalanga:
- Ehlanzeni TVET College
- Gert Sibande TVET College
- Nkangala TVET College
Limpopo:
- Capricorn TVET College
- Lephalale TVET College
- Letaba TVET College
- Mopani South East TVET College
- Sekhukhune TVET College
- Vhembe TVET College
- Waterberg TVET College
See which bursaries are open for application here
Read our other tips and articles here:
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.
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This post was last updated in October 2022.
SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.