NSFAS Funding 2027 – Applications Now Open for University and TVET Students

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has opened applications for the 2027 academic year, giving eligible South African students an opportunity to apply for financial assistance to study at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Applications opened on 18 September 2026 and the current NSFAS application page states that applications close on 31 October 2026. Applications are free and can be submitted online through the official myNSFAS platform.

What is NSFAS?

NSFAS is a government-funded student financial aid scheme that provides bursaries and loans to eligible students who need financial assistance to pursue approved studies at public higher education institutions.

For the 2027 cycle, NSFAS funding is available for eligible students planning to study or already studying at a public university or TVET college.

Who Can Apply?

South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or are already studying, at a public university or TVET college can apply, subject to the applicable funding requirements.

For the NSFAS bursary, the current income requirements include:

Non-SASSA applicants

• Gross combined household income of R350,000 or less per year

Verified SASSA grant recipients

• Automatically meet the financial requirement for the bursary

Persons with disabilities

• Gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year

NSFAS uses gross combined household income before tax and other deductions when assessing the applicable income threshold.

What Does NSFAS Funding Cover?

Depending on the funding type and the student's circumstances, the NSFAS bursary can cover approved study-related costs including:

• Registration and tuition fees
• Learning material allowance
• Living allowance
• Personal care allowance
• Accommodation, where applicable
• Transport, where applicable

Students with disabilities may qualify for additional approved support such as assistive devices, repair and maintenance of assistive devices, human support at universities and assessment costs. Additional disability support is subject to assessment and approval.

What Qualifications Can Be Funded?

NSFAS funding is available for approved undergraduate qualifications offered by eligible public universities and TVET colleges.

Not every qualification or institution is funded, so applicants should check that their chosen institution and qualification are approved before applying.

NSFAS Bursary and Student Loan

NSFAS currently provides both bursary funding and student loans.

A bursary generally does not need to be repaid when the applicable conditions are met, while a student loan must be repaid according to the relevant loan terms.

For undergraduate applicants whose gross combined household income is more than R350,000 but not more than R600,000 per year, the NSFAS loan may provide an additional funding option.

How to Apply for NSFAS 2027

Applications are completed through the official NSFAS system.

Applicants should:

1. Create or access their myNSFAS profile.
2. Select Apply and complete the application.
3. Provide their personal and household information.
4. Provide the required consent and supporting documents.
5. Check that all information is correct.
6. Submit the application.
7. Save the application reference number for tracking.

NSFAS advises applicants to make sure that submitted documents are clear and readable and that their information is accurate before submitting the application.

Supporting Documents

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, NSFAS may require documents such as:

• A signed consent form
• Supporting financial information
• A Declaration Form, where applicable
• Disability Assessment Questionnaire, where applicable
• Orphan and Vulnerable Child Form, where applicable

NSFAS uses information from external data sources to assist with financial verification, and applicants must provide accurate information and the required consent.

Important Application Dates

Applications open: 18 September 2026

Applications close: 31 October 2026

Academic year: 2027

NSFAS states that late applications cannot be accepted, so applicants should submit their applications before the closing date.

How Will I Know My Application Status?

Applicants can track their application through their myNSFAS profile.

Possible stages include verification, awaiting documents, funding eligibility or an unsuccessful outcome. NSFAS advises applicants to keep their contact information up to date so that they can receive important status notifications.

Important Notice About Applications

Applying for NSFAS is free.

Applicants should not pay another person or organisation to submit an NSFAS application on their behalf. NSFAS states that applications can be completed online through its official platform.

Applicants should also make sure they use the official NSFAS website and myNSFAS platform when submitting an application.

Apply for NSFAS 2027

Students who meet the relevant requirements can submit their applications through the official NSFAS application system.

Application fee: Free

Closing date: 31 October 2026

Funding year: 2027

Study institutions: Public universities and TVET colleges

Official NSFAS website: https://www.nsfas.org.za/

Apply online: https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/how-to-apply.html

Source

Information in this article is based on the current NSFAS 2027 application information and funding requirements published by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.