NSFAS

Dear NSFAS Applicant/Student

With the 2026 academic year NSFAS funding application window is open and will close on the 15 November 2025, the following information is important to note:

Students who receive financial aid from the NSFAS must meet the set academic achievement criteria, to continue being eligible for financial aid.
Non-FTEN students must pass 60% of the total modules or courses enrolled in a particular year to be funded in the following academic year.

N+ rule

The N+ Rule sets the outer limits for the duration that a student may receive financial aid from NSFAS. The N+1 Rule applies to all students who receive financial aid from NSFAS. All students with disability qualify for N+2.
The N period of study equates to the minimum time required to complete a qualification.
The University N+ Rule is based on the number of years a student is registered in the higher education sector. (e.g., HEMIS data is used by NSFAS to determine if a student studied at any other institution before. These years are included to calculate the N+)

Online NSFAS Application closes on 15 November 2025.

Returning students and University students that move through the NSFAS funding academic pathway (The progression of a student from one type of qualification that is approved for funding to another qualification that is also approved for funding. i.e. Higher Certificate students) must re-apply and meet the continuing student academic eligibility requirements.

A “returning student” is a senior student who was not funded by NSFAS in the immediate prior academic term and needs to re-apply for funding. For the purpose of 2026 applications, “immediate prior academic term” refers to the 2025 academic year.

Only NSFAS approved University and TVET College academic progression pathways are funded and implemented in conjunction with the eligibility criteria.

The only approved University progression pathway is from a qualification that has been defined as a certificate qualification to a qualification that has been defined as an undergraduate qualification, noting that NSFAS only funds students studying towards their first certificate or undergraduate qualification.

NSFAS does not provide financial aid to Students who have already obtained a first certificate qualification (regardless of whether/not students received funding from NSFAS previously) and are registering for a second certificate qualification.

Where a student has changed their qualification and the remaining N is not sufficient to complete the different qualification, the student will no longer receive financial aid.

Students who de-register or drop out during an academic term and wish to resume their studies in future academic terms, must re-apply.

University allowances

(Living allowance, personal care allowance, travel allowance, accommodation allowance).

Students that were provisionally funded by NSFAS during the 2025 academic year but opted for another bursary, should re-apply for the 2026 academic year if they would like to be reinstated into NSFAS funding for the 2026 academic year.
Students who had appeal to NSFAS under the N+ rule and is approved, only qualifies for Books and incidental cost as determined by the NSFAS guideline approved for the year. No accommodation cost are covered.

The link to create a profile is as follows: https://my.nsfas.org.za/

The same link may be used to apply for funding.

You are further encouraged to use Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer when accessing the shared link.

Please keep close eye on the NSFAS website and social media accounts for continuous news regarding funding closing dates and queries.

All application-related queries to be addressed directly with NSFAS via their various communication channels applicable to applicants.

Other important information

Outstanding accounts should be settled by students if funded in previous years, whereby debits on fee statement relates to gym, society, re-assessment fees, library books lost, etc.

The Student Merit award is towards payment of Tuition only.

NSFAS students are not allocated the Merit award because NSFAS is a full bursary.

NSFAS students are not able to claim any credits on their fee statements unless they have made a deposit themselves. These refunds are only made at the end of the year.

Students with Sponsor and NSFAS are not allowed to claim any refund.

Honours, Masters and PHD students should enquire with RCD (13^th Floor Main building, South Campus) with regard to funding.

Students that had NSFAS in previous years need not re-apply for funding.

IMPORTANT: The student number and the objective of the email must at all times be entered as the Subject of the email.

Kindly utilize the self-help facilities:

Fees estimation facility for this purpose at the following link

http://www.mandela.ac.za/Academic/Courses-on-offer/Career-study-fields?sq=1

For a copy of your student account or balance enquiries please go to http://www.mandela.ac.za/student/ after you have officially been registered for the academic year.

Please note the following:

1. For proof of registration, academic records and changes to contact details please contact Student Records at studentrecords@mandela.ac.za

2. For Financial Aid/NSFAS, merit or any other bursary related enquiries please contact Financial Aid at financialaid@mandela.ac.za

3. For registration enquiries please contact the respective Faculty Administrators

Enquiries in terms of items 1, 2 and 3 above will not be responded to by studentaccounts@mandela.ac.za

NSFAS contact details for students

Contact Centre: 0800 067 327

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

Intellicard: 087 2300 161

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What is The National Student Financial Aid Scheme? (NSFAS)

NSFAS was established in terms of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Act 56 of 1999)

The mission statement is made up of three well defined elements, which describe why NSFAS exists and its impact on the people it serves:

NSFAS exists to provide financial aid to eligible students at public TVET colleges and public universities;
NSFAS identifies eligible students, provides bursaries and loans and collects past student loan repayments to replenish the funds available for future generations of students; and,
NSFAS supports access to, and success in, higher education and training for students from poor and working-class families who would otherwise not be able to afford to study.

NSFAS students and prospective NSFAS students are required to open and regularly check their myNSFAS accounts for NSFAS funding related information.

To log into your myNSFAS go to www.nsfas.org.za, go to the myNSFAS tab and follow the log in process explained on screen.

Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
Twitter: myNSFAS
Instagram: myNSFAS

Our Toll Free number is: 08000 67327

What does the bursary cover?

Accommodation
Transport
Living allowance
Book allowances
Incidental/personal care allowance
Registration
Tuition
Funded students with disabilities need to submit claims for Assistive Devices and Human Support directly to the university’s Student Support Services/Financial Aid office.

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding (Bursary)?

All South African citizens
All SASSA grant recipients
Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
Persons with a disability with a combined household income not more than R600 000 per annum

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding (Loans)?

All South African citizens and permanent residents with a valid SA ID number, who intends to register at a public university
Applicants whose combined gross household income is above R350 000 per annum and below R600 000 per annum
The loan applicant must apply each year for NSFAS Loan funding

Additional support:

NSFAS funded students who have a disability are further supported through an additional allowance.

Please contact the Disability Unit or Financial Aid Office at your university for assistance.

Below are the Additional Allowances;

Medical Assessment: Limited to one assessment for the duration of the qualification and on request by the Disability Unit/ Student Support
Assistive Devices: Limited to one Assistive Device for the duration of study.
Human Support: To cover for the cost of a caregiver, guide dog, scribe, tutor or sign language interpreter