NSFAS Application 2027: How to Apply Step by Step

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NSFAS (the National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funds undergraduate study at public universities and TVET colleges for South African students from low-income households. The 2027 application dates have not been announced yet — based on the 2026 cycle, applications are expected to open around August 2026 and close in November 2026. This guide covers everything you need: eligibility, documents, the application process, and what happens after you apply.

Who Qualifies for NSFAS in 2027?

To qualify for NSFAS, you must meet all of the following (NSFAS eligibility criteria):

• South African citizen or permanent resident
• Combined gross household income not exceeding R350,000 per year
• Persons with disabilities: household income up to R600,000 per year
• A valid email address and functional cell phone number

All SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify for NSFAS funding.

Who Cannot Apply

You should not apply for NSFAS if you:

• Have already completed a prior qualification funded by NSFAS
• Exceed the household income limits listed above
• Are already receiving NSFAS funding (your funding continues automatically if you meet academic requirements — see the returning students section below)

NSFAS Bursary vs NSFAS Loan

For a broader overview of how bursaries work in South Africa, see our guide to bursaries. NSFAS offers two types of funding (NSFAS FAQs):

If you receive a loan and achieve a 70%+ pass rate, 50% of the loan converts to a bursary.

Students who started their studies before 2018 fall under a separate income threshold of R122,000 per year.

Documents You Need for Your NSFAS Application

Gather these documents before you start your application. All documents are uploaded digitally — no certification is required.

Required for All Applicants

• Copy of your South African ID or birth certificate
• Copy of your parent/guardian/spouse’s ID
• Copy of your smart card (both sides)
• Proof of income (where applicable)
• NSFAS Consent Form — allows NSFAS to validate your information against third-party sources (SASSA recipients are exempt)
• NSFAS Declaration Form — for applicants 34 years or younger to verify parental/guardian details

Both forms are available for download on the NSFAS how-to-apply page.

Additional Documents for Specific Circumstances

NSFAS does not accept affidavits or driver’s licences as proof of identity.

How to Apply for NSFAS: Step-by-Step

All applications are submitted online through the myNSFAS portal. You can apply from a phone, tablet, or computer. Registration is free.

Step 1: Create Your myNSFAS Account

1. Go to my.nsfas.org.za
2. Click “Register”
3. Enter your South African ID number — this becomes your username
4. Enter your name and surname exactly as they appear on your ID document — the system validates your details against the Department of Home Affairs immediately
5. Provide your email address and cell phone number
6. Create a password
7. Verify your account using the One-Time Pin (OTP) sent to your phone

Each applicant must use their own unique contact details. No two applicants may share the same phone number or email address.

If you are not receiving OTPs, click the option to resend for a new one.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form

Once logged in:

1. Fill in your personal details (these are pre-populated from your DHA verification)
2. Provide your household and financial information
3. Select three institutions and three fields of study you have applied to or plan to apply to — this allows NSFAS to share your funding information with those institutions

Step 3: Upload Your Supporting Documents

Upload the documents listed in the section above. Key points:

• Documents must be clear, legible scans or photos
• No certification is required
• You can upload additional documents after submission if needed by logging back in

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Review all your details and documents, then submit. You will receive a confirmation via SMS and email.

If You Forget Your Login Details

1. Go to nsfas.org.za
2. Click myNSFAS
3. Click “Forgot Password”
4. Enter your ID number
5. Select whether you need help with your password or username
6. A reset link will be sent via SMS and email

Your username is always your ID number.

NSFAS Application Deadlines

NSFAS has not yet announced the 2027 application dates. Based on previous cycles, applications typically open around August and close in November of the preceding year. Check nsfas.org.za for the official announcement.

If you withdraw your application, you can resubmit before the closing date.

What Happens After You Apply

Tracking Your Application

Log in to myNSFAS to track your application through three stages:

1. Application Submitted — your details and documents have been received. Verify everything is correct.
2. Under Review — NSFAS is assessing your eligibility.
3. Application Outcome — you will receive an approval, rejection, or a request for additional information.

If You Are Approved

• NSFAS pays your registration and tuition fees directly to your institution
• You receive allowances for living costs, transport, books, and personal care (see amounts below)
• You have one year to register at an institution after approval. If you do not register within that year, you must reapply.

If You Are Rejected

You have 30 days from receiving your results to submit an appeal through your myNSFAS profile.

Valid grounds for appeal include:

• Your household finances changed (retrenchment, death of income provider, incapacity)
• You have been declared independent by court order
• You are from a verified child-headed household
• Divorced parents — and the responsible parent meets the income threshold
• Academic failure caused by severe illness (2+ months), family death, violent crime, pregnancy/childbirth, or disability-related barriers
• Incorrect academic records were submitted by your institution

You cannot appeal if:
– You are registered for a qualification NSFAS does not fund
– You have exceeded the N+ appeal cutoff — NSFAS accepts appeals up to N+2 (N+3 for students with disabilities) per the appeals policy. This is longer than the standard funding duration (see “Academic Requirements for Continued Funding” below).
– You are a gap-year student previously denied for academic ineligibility

Supporting documents for appeals may include latest SARS ITA34 forms, death certificates, medical reports, court orders, institutional propensity letters, retrenchment letters, or SASSA benefit letters.

What NSFAS Covers: Allowance Amounts

University Students

All allowance amounts below are sourced from the NSFAS bursary scheme page.

TVET College Students

These are the most current allowance amounts published on the NSFAS website. Amounts may be updated for the 2027 academic year. For help budgeting around these amounts, see our living costs at university guide.

How Allowances Are Paid

NSFAS does not pay allowances directly to students in all cases. The process works as follows:

• Tuition and registration fees are paid directly to your institution by NSFAS
• Accommodation allowances for students in university residences are paid to the institution; students in private or off-campus accommodation receive the allowance subject to the institution’s disbursement process
• Transport, living, book, and personal care allowances are disbursed to students through the institution, typically into a student bank account or via the NSFAS Mastercard

The timing and method of allowance payments varies by institution. Contact your institution’s financial aid office for specific disbursement schedules.

Does NSFAS Fund Postgraduate Studies?

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate and postgraduate students, though postgraduate funding follows a loan model with different terms. For postgraduate-specific information, see the NSFAS postgraduate page.

First-Time vs Returning Applicants

First-Time Applicants

If you have never received NSFAS funding before, you must complete the full application process described above. This includes applicants who:

• Are applying to university or TVET college for the first time
• Were previously rejected but still need funding and meet the eligibility criteria
• Had a previous approval that expired because they did not register within one year

Returning Students (Already Funded by NSFAS)

If you are currently funded by NSFAS and continuing your studies at the same institution in the same qualification, you do not need to reapply. Your funding continues automatically, provided you meet the academic requirements.

You must reapply if:

• You are moving from a certificate to an undergraduate qualification
• You are moving from a TVET college to a university
• You are otherwise moving through the NSFAS funding progression pathway

Academic Requirements for Continued Funding

NSFAS funding has both academic performance and duration requirements:

Performance:
– Maintain a 60% pass rate to keep your funding
– Achieve 70% or above and 50% of your loan converts to a bursary

Duration (the N+ rule): Funding is limited based on the minimum time required to complete your qualification (called “N” or regulation time):

• Students who first registered from 2018 onward: Funded for N+1 years — the minimum programme duration plus one additional year
• Students who first registered before 2018: Funded for N+2 years — the minimum programme duration plus two additional years
• Students with disabilities: Receive an additional year beyond the standard N+ allowance (e.g. N+2 instead of N+1 for post-2018 students)

Once you exceed your N+ limit, NSFAS funding is terminated. Most 2027 applicants will be post-2018 students funded under N+1.

Applying for NSFAS as a TVET Student

The NSFAS application process is the same for TVET college students and university students — you apply through myNSFAS using the steps above. The key differences are in what NSFAS covers:

• TVET accommodation allowances are fixed amounts based on your college’s location (urban, peri-urban, or rural), rather than the actual residence cost model used at universities
• TVET transport allowances range from R7,000 to R7,350 depending on location
• The same eligibility criteria and income thresholds apply to TVET and university applicants

If you are a TVET student who wants to continue to university, you must first complete and pass your TVET qualification, then submit a new NSFAS application through the university. Your TVET funding does not automatically transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NSFAS Application

Can I Apply for NSFAS Without a Cellphone?

You need a functioning cell phone with a valid number and a personal email address to apply. You can use a tablet or computer to complete the application, but the phone number is required for OTP verification and communication from NSFAS. You cannot use someone else’s phone number — no two applicants may share contact information.

Why Does NSFAS Ask Me to Choose Three Institutions?

During the application, you select three institutions and three fields of study. This is not a preference ranking — it allows NSFAS to share your funding information with all institutions you may have applied to, so that whichever institution accepts you can process your funding.

I Was Rejected Before. Can I Apply Again for 2027?

Yes. If your previous application (2026 or earlier) was rejected but you still need funding and meet the current eligibility criteria, you can submit a new application for the 2027 cycle.

My 2026 Approval Expired Because I Did Not Register. Must I Reapply?

Yes. After NSFAS approves your application, you have one year to register at an institution. If you did not register within that year, your approval expires and you need to reapply.

I Studied at a TVET College and Want to Go to University. Do I Need to Apply?

Yes. You must complete and pass your TVET qualification first, then apply for NSFAS funding through the university. TVET-to-university transitions require a new NSFAS application.

Why Must Adult Applicants Complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA?

South African law establishes that biological parents bear primary responsibility for their children’s maintenance, including education, regardless of the parents’ relationship status or the applicant’s age above 18. NSFAS uses this declaration to verify parental financial responsibility for applicants who are not SASSA recipients.

My ID Details Were Rejected During Registration. What Do I Do?

The myNSFAS system validates all information against the Department of Home Affairs database. Make sure you type your ID number, name, and surname exactly as they appear on your ID document. Any mismatch — including spelling differences, missing middle names, or extra spaces — will cause the verification to fail.

Do I Need Separate Applications for NSFAS and My University/TVET?

Yes. Your NSFAS application is for funding only. You must also apply for admission directly with the university or TVET college where you want to study. These are two separate processes. NSFAS does not place you at an institution — it funds your studies once an institution has accepted you. For upcoming deadlines, see our 2027 institution application dates.

Common Issues During the NSFAS Application

Document Upload Problems

• Make sure documents are clear, legible scans or photos — blurry uploads may delay your application
• Upload documents in the correct category (ID documents, income proof, consent forms)
• If you missed a document during submission, you can log back in and upload it afterwards

OTP and Verification Issues

• If you do not receive an OTP, click the resend option on the portal
• Check that your phone number is correct and has signal
• OTPs are sent via SMS — make sure your inbox is not full

Account Recovery

If you forget your myNSFAS username or password, you can recover it through the portal without needing to contact NSFAS directly. Your username is your ID number, and password resets are sent to your registered phone number and email.

Protect Yourself from NSFAS Fraud

NSFAS officials will never call you to ask for your password. If someone contacts you claiming to be from NSFAS and asks for your login details, do not share them.

Report fraud to speakup@nsfas.org.za.

NSFAS Contact Details

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This article was last updated on 17 April 2026. NSFAS has not yet announced the 2027 application dates. We will update this page when the 2027 cycle opens. All facts are sourced from the NSFAS official website.