NSFAS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 2027

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is proud to invite applications for the NSFAS scholarship 2026 for South African Students. This is majorly to encourage those who wish to further their education.

Read through for insightful information that may help you pull through the application process.

About NSFAS Application Scheme

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a bursary scheme which provides poor and working-class South African students with fully subsidized free higher education and training. NSFAS is a public entity governed by the NSFAS Act that enables any student to apply for a loan or bursary.

The primary objective of the bursary scheme is to turn NSFAS into one of the primary providers of financial assistance to students from less privileged families in order to promote access to higher and further educational training.

NSFAS is also involved in partnerships with institutions of higher learning and training, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), community structures and organizations to make the scheme available to all eligible students.

NSFAS also offers other bursary programs such as the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which is responsible for the assessment practices and systems for vocational and continuing education and training, The Funza Lushaka Bursary Program a program created to support teaching studies and are available to qualified students to complete a teaching degree and the Social Work Bursaries provided by the Department of Social Development which is aimed to provide financial assistance to qualified students who wish to pursue studies in Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Priorities are given to youth between the ages of 18-35 years in line with the government’s goals of youth’s active participation in socio-economic activities.

Disability Bursary Programme is also another arm of the NSFAS bursary scheme which provides financial support to applicants with disabilities who need financial assistance and possess good academic performance. Applicants for this bursary must provide proof of disability and a quotation for assistive devices as required documents with the application form.

NSFAS bursary holders are required to work in South Africa for a specified period after graduation. If the bursary holders are not able to find employment in South Africa after graduation for about three months, the beneficiary must apply in writing to NSFAS for a fair exit or buy-out clause to be considered.

Students are also urged to sign outstanding NSFAS Bursary Agreement to ensure that decisions for their continuation of funding for the 2026 academic year after they have met the academic requirements run smoothly.

Level/Field of Study

The NSFAS scholarship application is available to undergraduate students who do not already have an undergraduate, diploma, or postgraduate degree in any course except the following:

• BTech-Architecture/Architectural Technology
• BTech-Engineering, Cartography, Forestry
• BTech-Biokinetics, Biomedical Technology, Biotechnology
• BTech- Chiropractic, Homeopathy, all Nursing courses
• BTech-Clinical, Dental Technology
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
• LLB

Host Nationality

The scholarship is hosted by the South African Government.

Host Nationality

This scholarship is available to only South African citizens. You can also browse through the list of our scholarship by country to get more scholarship opportunities like this.

Scholarship Worth

The NSFAS scholarship will provide an allowance and cover the cost of registration, tuition, books, food, transport, and accommodation.

You can utilize these scholarship opportunities to solve most of your academic problems.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be South African citizens.
• The applicant must have a household income within the range of R350k or less.
• Applicants who wish to pursue studies at a public university or TVET college
• Previous applicants who already have an application reference number should not apply.
• Applicant must NOT be a previous recipient of any NSFAS funding for the current academic year
• Applicants must be registered or plan to register at any public university or TVET college for the next academic year

For a TVET college bursary application:

• Applicant must be registered at a public South African TVET college
• Applicants must have registered for the National Certificate (vocational)
• Applicant must also have registered for certain Report 191 (NATED) programs such as N1-N6 in engineering and N4-N6 in all other fields.

HOW TO APPLY

1. You can apply online by visiting the NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za and following the instructions below:

• Create a “myNSFAS” account here: https://my.nsfas.org.za/mynsfas/selfservice.html
• Provide the following information when registering the account: username, password, ID number, cell phone number, and email address
• Log in using your selected username and password
• Complete the application form by clicking the “apply” button
• When you have filled in all the required information, you can upload electronic copies of your supporting documents as mentioned below. Ensure you do not leave any of the fields or spaces blank.
• Once all your documents have been uploaded, click the “submit” button to receive your reference number.

1. You can also apply at any National Youth Development Agency Centre closest to you.

• Visit an NYDA center or office closest to you
• An NYDA center worker will explain the application process and provide you with an application form to complete
• Complete the application form in CAPITAL letters and sign it in the allocated spots
• Deliver your application form and supporting documents (as listed below).
• Ensure that your supporting documents are certified on the front page and not be older than 3 months.
• You will receive a receipt card with a bar code attached to it.

1. You can also contact The Financial Aid office on campus for assistance with your application.

The maximum waiting period before getting a notice of acknowledgment once a student has applied will be a week. Failure to do so requires calling the NSFAS’ toll-free call center on 08000 67327

NSFAS Scholarship Application Requirements

You need the following documents to complete your application. Make sure they are evidently clear and complete:

• ID document/ ID card (certified copy and also electronic copy)
• Unabridged birth certificate (if you do not have an ID document or ID card) (certified copy and electronic copy)
• Parents/ guardians ID documents (certified copy and electronic copy)
• Parents/ guardians death certificate (if applicable, certified copy and electronic copy)
• Payslips/ employment letters/ pension advice not older than 3 months. Do not submit SASSA slips. (certified copy and electronic copy)
• Contact details such as cell phone number and/or email address for further contact if the need arises.
• NSFAS Consent Form (in pdf) which must have been completed and signed by parents or guardians.
• Disabled applicants should complete and include the NSFAS Disability Annexure A form. (in pdf)
• Orphaned students can also complete and include the NSFAS Declaration Form (in pdf). The form has to be signed by a certified social worker from the Department of Social Development.

For more inquiries related to the bursary program, you can also contact NSFAS directly:

Post: Private Bag X1, Plumstead 7801, South Africa

Address: 10 Brodie Road, House Vincent 2nd Floor, Wynberg, Cape Town 7700

Tel: 0860 067 327

Email: [email protected]

Application Deadline

The scholarship comes up annually but there is no deadline for the scholarship application. The NSFAS scholarship application usually opens during the last quarter of the year and lasts for about two months so it is important to be alert on when next the application opens.

Scholarship Link

You can visit the NSFAS official website at:

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