With the NSFAS Payment Dates, the payout happens most at the third Monday of each month but there are also outlying dates throughout the year. Check below
First Semester:
| Cycle 1 – All Campuses | 28 February 2024 |
| Cycle 2 – All Campuses | 07 March 2024 |
| Cycle 3 – All Campuses | 04 April 2024 |
| Cycle 4 – All Campuses | 03 May 2024 |
| Cycle 5 – All Campuses | 06 June 2024 |
Second Semester:
| Cycle 6 – All Campuses | 18 July 2024 |
| Cycle 7 – All Campuses | 01 August 2024 |
| Cycle 8 – All Campuses | 05 September 2024 |
| Cycle 9 – All Campuses | 03 October 2024 |
| Cycle 10 – All Campuses(Final payment for 2025) | 07 November 2024 |
NSFAS Allowance | How much does NSFAS pay to students?
The bursaries not only cover registration and tuition fees, but also make provision for other annual allowances. In 2025, these allowances amount to:
- An Accommodation allowance depending on what is charged by the college or university (private accommodation costs cannot exceed costs of halls of residence or institution-provided hostels).
- A book allowance of R5,200.
- A living allowance of R15,000.
- A personal care allowance of R2,900.
- A Transport allowance of R7,500 (no further than 40km from the place of study).
Who qualifies to apply?
In order to apply for NSFAS online for 2025, you must be a South African citizen, have been accepted for an undergraduate qualification for the first time, and be able to prove an annual household income of no more than R350,000. It should be noted that meeting these criteria is not a guarantee of being accepted for the NSFAS.
What is needed?
You will need to provide certain information, so it is worth getting this prepared in advance. The documentation needed consists of your contact details, ID and birthday certificate of both yourself and the members of your household (such as your spouse, parents or guardians), proof of your income and your household’s income, a Disability Annexure form (if applicable) and a Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent form (again, if applicable). NSFAS email to send document is: queries@nsfas.org.za
The appeals process.
It goes without saying that due to the NSFAS’ popularity, not everyone who applies will be successful. NSFAS Appeals are set out on the NSFAS website, where candidates are able to review the reasons for the rejection and set out in writing the grounds for their appeal (this should not exceed more than 1,000 characters). The appeal window closes in March each year. There are limited set grounds for NSFAS officials considering an appeal, so it helps to take note of these before starting the appeal process.
Payment dates.
NSFAS allowances are paid monthly. In the 2025 cycle, these are often paid out on the third Monday of each month but there are also outlying dates throughout the year.
How will I get my laptop?
Once you have ordered your laptop online and all the necessary checks have been completed, you will be contacted to collect your laptop on the campus of the institution you are registered at.