NSFAS Allowances: NSFAS gives the most generous allowances available to all eligible students, so they don’t have to worry about their fees and study costs. This is the website to visit if you would like to learn more about the NSFAS grants.

NSFAS provides allowances that are used for additional education expenses like textbooks or accommodation. You can check your NSFAS eligibility, and receive allowances and loans.

Also Read: NSFAS Application Process

NSFAS plans on helping and facilitating 1 million South Africa students to achieve their higher education degrees. Read this entire guide if you wish to find out everything possible about allowances.

What Is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (also known as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is an initiative funded by South African governments. Financial assistance is provided to students who come from lower-income families to help them cover the costs associated with tertiary study. This program aims to provide students with higher education who could not afford it otherwise. NSFAS grants bursaries, loans, and textbooks to qualified students. NSFAS only provides funding to eligible students that meet both academic and economic criteria.

What is the NSFAS Allowance?

These are the top NSFAS awards that South African students will receive.

1) Accommodation Allowance

NSFAS offers a variety of benefits, one being the accommodation allowance. This allowance helps students cover their costs for accommodation when they are away from home. Renting or living at a residence for students is supposed to be easier on the wallet. Students must live more than 40 km away from the campus and be in private housing to qualify for this grant.

Also Read: NSFAS Status Check

The accommodation allowance is based on both the type of residence and the institution’s location. The accommodation allowance for a student who lives in rural surroundings is R15750. Students who live in rural areas will be entitled to R15750 per annum. Students living in urban areas are eligible for R25200 annually as accommodation allowance. Finaly, for students that live in the area assigned by the university they receive R33000 per annum as an accommodation allowance.

The students that receive the accommodation allowance are required to use these funds as intended. They must also provide evidence of those expenses.

2) Transport Allowance

NSFAS has another award. Students must be living within a 40km radius of their university or college to qualify for the grant. This grant covers the cost of transportation for university travel, college trips and other related expenses. Student will receive R7350 each year for his travel expenses.

The registration and tuition allowances

NSFAS provides tuition and enrollment allowances. The tuition allowance includes the costs of the tuition charged by the institution. While the registration allowance comprises the fees for initial registration.

This allowance is intended to relieve the financial strain on low-income students, who might struggle to pay for tuition and fees. This amount can vary according to your program of studies and the school you attend. These students must use these funds as intended and show proof that tuition and fees were paid.

4. Personal Care Allowance

Students who are disabled or have chronic diseases and require assistance with personal care can receive the personal care allowance. Students can also use this to pay for their daily needs, such as food and clothes.

This allowance, which is R2900 a year, is to be used for the purchase of any personal items and services the student might need. These include medical supplies and equipment as well as personal caregivers. For this allowance to be granted, the student must present proof of disability or chronic disease to NSFAS.

5) Learning Material Allowance

NSFAS has a very generous learning material allowance, which helps students get the materials they need for success. The amount available is R5,460. It can be applied to the purchase of learning material such as books, laptops or study related items. This allowance allows students to acquire the study materials they need without having to cut back on their budget.

You could upgrade that old laptop, or finally purchase the expensive textbook you’ve wanted. This money is free and you do not have to repay it.

6) NSFAS UNISA Allowances

University of South Africa® (UNISA®) is the largest distance learning school in South Africa. This is one of world’s largest universities, and the only university to be the largest on the African continent. UNISA offers undergraduate and master’s programs in many fields such as science, engineering law and business.

NSFAS gives various allowances eligible students attending the University of South Africa. Students are eligible for:

• Tuition & registration fee allowance: Covers the costs of tuition and fees for registration charged by UNISA. This allowance will be paid directly by the student to the university.
• Accommodation Allowance: Students can receive this allowance to help them cover their accommodation costs near campus. This amount is given directly to a student’s housing provider or landlord.
• Travel allowance. This is a financial aid that helps cover student transportation to and away from university. The allowance can be used to cover the cost of transportation, such as bus, train or taxi fare, petrol costs or vehicle maintenance for students who drive themselves. This is a direct payment to the student.
• Student meal allowance: Allowances to students for the purchase of food while studying or attending classes at campus. The allowance can cover the cost of food purchased at canteens or cafeterias on campus, as well as groceries needed to cook meals at home. Students receive this money directly.

NSFAS allowances eligibility criteria 2024

Please see the following information about the NSFAS eligibility criteria:

• Financial needs: Students are required to demonstrate their inability to fund their studies on their own. This can be determined by analysing the family income and spending.
• South African citizenship: Only South African Citizens are eligible for NSFAS Funding. To prove citizenship, the students will need to provide their South African identity number.
• Academic progress: The student must make satisfactory academic progress for the NSFAS to continue funding. This is usually achieved by passing a specific number of courses, and having a GPA that meets a specified minimum.
• Course of study NSFAS only funds certain academic courses. UNISA must have a student enrolled on a UNISA program eligible for NSFAS.
• Age Although there are no restrictions on age for NSFAS grants, applicants must be over 18 to submit a request.
• Record of criminal convictions: A student with a certain record may not qualify for NSFAS. The type of offense committed and the date it occurred will affect the eligibility.
• Previous NSFAS financing: In order to receive allowances in the future, previous NSFAS-funded students must fulfill certain criteria. For example, they have to maintain a good academic record and complete their degree within a specific timeframe.
• Accessibility: Some students with disabilities qualify for extra funds that can be used to pay for devices to assist them or to provide other accommodations they may need to take part in an academic program.

How to apply for NSFAS Allowances

The following steps can be followed by students to submit a NSFAS application:

1. Sign up for the myNSFAS Portal. Students can access the portal at https://my.nsfas.org.za.
2. You must complete and submit the online form with all of your required documentation. This includes information about the applicant, their academic background, financial status, and citizenship proof.
3. You will receive a response within a few days. Processing time can differ depending on how many applicants are submitted.
4. After a successful application, the student receives a funding proposal that includes all the information about allowances. If the application is successful, the students will receive a funding offer that includes details of the allowances they are eligible to receive.
5. NSFAS requires that students sign a contract outlining the terms and condition of their funding. For example, they must maintain satisfactory academic progress or complete the academic program by a specific date.
6. Once the Bursary Agreement is signed, all allowances paid to students will go directly to them or their service provider.

Conclusion

You can learn all about NSFAS. Here you will find out what allowances there are and how they can be obtained. For students interested in applying to this bursary, we also explain the criteria. What you must know about NSFAS bursaries is summarized in this article. Please feel free to contact us if we can answer any of your questions. We appreciate you reading.

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