NSFAS Application 2025

The NSFAS Application has been opened for this academic year. The below article has in it the steps to follow in applying for NSFAS funding.

NSFAS Account Funding Application:

  1. Register online as a user on myNSFAS or re-register a myNSFAS account
    • Go to www.nsfas.org.za
    • Click on “myNSFAS” tab
    • Click on “Register“
    • Tick the box to allow NSFAS to verify your details
    • Then enter your ID number on the field as it is stated on your South African Identity Document (ID)
    • Type in your full names and surname as per your ID number
    • Type in your current email address
    • Confirm your email address
    • Type in your cellphone number
    • Create a password
    • Confirm password
    • Upload your ID Copy
    • Click on register
    • An OTP will be sent to the email and cell number provided (this OTP expires after 24 hours)
    • Type in the OTP and click submit
    • You have now completed your re-registration
  2. Click the APPLY tab to be directed to the online application form.

Documents needed to apply for NSFAS

Prepare certified copies of the following documents which must not be older than 3 months. Your documents must need to be certified at the South African Police Service or the South African Post Office. If you are under the age of 18 or if you are 18 and older and are STILL DEPENDENT on the combined household income of your parent or legal guardian, then this also applies:

  • A valid copy of your South African ID or unbridged birth certificate. If you are younger than 16 years of age, and do not have a green bar–coded ID or smart ID card, you must submit a certified copy of your unabridged birth certificate.
  • IDs of parents and/or guardian (death certificate if applicable)
  • IDs of each person living in your household
  • Proof of annual household income of your parents or guardian or yourself if employed as a payslip or appointment letter (This is for all types of employment or all forms of income for all members of the household. This includes any income received from SASSA grants, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), or any retirement, life, disability or other benefits paid as a lump sum or in monthly payments.)
  • A certified copy of your latest academic transcript or exam results. (If you are currently in Grade 12, you do not need to submit this)
  • University registration documents (if applicable)
  • Travel and Accommodation documents (if applicable)
  • Proof of marital status (if applicable)
  • Download and complete the consent form and fill it in with signatures of all people whose incomes have been declared in the application.
  • If you have a disability, download and complete the Disability Annexure A Form

Manual Application Forms / Offline NSFAS Application:

  • Visit one of the application centers where you will be given a hard copy of the application form to fill in.
  • Use black ink to complete the nsfas application form and write within the blocks with CAPITAL letters.
  • Do not cancel out any text and make sure to write clearly.
  • Have parents/guardian sign the consent form.
  • Have certified copies of the listed supporting documents and attach them to the application form by stapling before submission.
  • Documents must be certified on the front side of the page and should be within 3 months.
  • Sign the completed application form and submit it to one of the NYDA assistants.
  • The application will be attached with a barcode. Wait for the small acknowledgment of the receipt card with the duplicated barcode.

NSFAS Requirements and Financial Eligibility Criteria

  • South African citizen (foreign students do not apply)
  • Applicants who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree at a public university or TVET college with the necessary academic requirements
  • Previous applicants who already have an application reference number should not apply
  • NOT a grant recipient of any NSFAS funding for the current academic year (only unfunded students)

For postgraduate studies, only students of one of the below field of study are accepted:

  • B Tech – Architecture / Architectural Technology
  • B Tech – Biokinetics, Biomedical Technology/Biotechnology
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
  • Bachelor of Laws/LLB

For a TVET college bursary nsfas application:

  • Registered at a public South African TVET college
  • Registered for the National Certificate (vocational)
  • Registered for certain Report 191 (NATED) programmes such as N1-N6 in engineering and N4-N6 in all other fields.