Applications for 2027 funding open on 18 September 2026. Get your documents ready now.
Time left before closure. Applications close on 31 October 2026
(South African time).
Minister of Higher Education and Training Mr Buti Manamela announces the opening of NSFAS 2027 applications and the readiness of our universities, TVET & CET colleges for the 2027 academic year.
The stream starts on Friday, 18 September at 10:00.
Four things you can do this week so your application goes through without delays.
Register with your ID number, a working email address and your own cellphone number.
Use the checklist below. Scan or photograph each document clearly so it is easy to read.
Make sure your name and ID match your Home Affairs record exactly.
Complete your profile, upload your documents and submit. Then track your status on myNSFAS.
Tick each document off as you get it ready. Your ticks are saved on this device.
0 of 13 ready
Your application is only assessed once every required document has been received and is readable. Download the correct forms below, sign them in black ink, and upload them to your myNSFAS account before the closing date.
Print each form that applies to you, complete it by hand and scan it back in. The system generates your own document list based on your application type — always check myNSFAS for what it has asked you for.
Gives NSFAS permission to verify your identity, household and income against third-party sources including SARS and the Department of Home Affairs. Signed by the applicant and by every parent, legal guardian or spouse whose details appear on the application. Without it, your application cannot be submitted.
For applicants living with a disability. A registered medical practitioner completes and signs it. Merge the medical report into the same file as the annexure before you upload — separate files are returned.
Raises the household income threshold to R600 000.
Download formCompleted only by applicants under the age of 18 who are orphans, or who are vulnerable children in the terms set out on the form.
Replaces parent or guardian income details where no parent or guardian can sign.
Download formApplies to applicants aged 34 and younger. It is used to verify the parent or legal guardian details captured on your application.
Often confused with the consent form — most applicants under 34 submit both.
Download formOnly upload what applies to your household.
| If this applies to you | Upload this | Copy |
|---|---|---|
| Every applicant | South African ID or birth certificate (Smart ID card: both sides) | Yes |
| A parent, legal guardian or spouse earns an income | Payslips for the last three months, or a UIF statement, or an affidavit where the income is informal | Not required |
| Someone in the household receives a SASSA grant | Nothing — Child Support, Foster Child and Care Dependency grants are verified with SASSA automatically | Not required |
| A parent or guardian has died | Death certificate for each deceased parent or guardian | Yes |
| Your parents are divorced or separated | Divorce decree, or the settlement agreement showing maintenance | Yes |
| You are married, or a spouse signs for you | Marriage certificate, plus your spouse's ID | Yes |
| You live with a legal guardian | Proof of legal guardianship issued by a court | Yes |
| A parent or legal guardian was retrenched | Retrenchment letter from the employer — also accepted as supporting evidence in an appeal | Not required |
Print, complete in capital letters using black ink, and sign. Typed or pasted signatures are rejected. Any correction is initialled by every party who signed.
Capture every edge of the document in good light. Cropped corners, shadows and blurred ID numbers are the most common reason a document is sent back.
Multi-page documents go up as a single file — both pages of the declaration form together, and the medical report merged with the disability annexure.
Each requested document has its own slot in myNSFAS portal. Upload it there, then check that the status changes before you leave the page.
Apply only through the official myNSFAS portal or the NSFAS mobile application. Ignore WhatsApp forwards, social media accounts and agents offering to speed up your application or upload documents on your behalf. Report anything suspicious to the toll free line on 0800 067 327 or email us at speakup@nsfas.org.za.
Message to the Members of the General Council
Dear Members of the General Council,
Compliments of the New Year.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) notes with appreciation the announcement regarding the leadership developments within the Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA).
NSFAS congratulates Dr Dennis Khasu on his assumption of the Office of Vice President of AAHEFA, following his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Education Loans and Grants Board (HELGB). We are confident that his leadership and experience will make a valuable contribution to advancing AAHEFA’s mandate and strengthening collaboration among higher education financing agencies across the continent.
We further extend our congratulations to Mr Zephania Maduhu on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of AAHEFA, following his period of service as Acting CEO. His formal appointment is a testament to his leadership and commitment to the organisation.
NSFAS wishes both appointees every success in their respective roles and looks forward to continued collaboration in support of higher education financing in Africa.
Yours sincerely,
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Log in to your myNSFAS account and keep your application on track.
To ensure that your 2026 funding application can be fully processed, applicants are urged to log in regularly to their myNSFAS portal and check for any notifications about missing documents.
As NSFAS continues to assess funding applications, students who still need to upload specific supporting documents will be notified via their portal. Once a notice is issued, you will have 30 days to upload the required documents.
Failure to upload the requested documents within the allocated period will result in your application being marked as incomplete and it will not be considered for funding.
NSFAS remains committed to finalising the assessment of all applications and releasing funding outcomes from 15 December 2025.
Please continue to monitor your myNSFAS account for any updates changes to your application status.
NSFAS was recently alerted to a potential security weakness within certain components of its ICT systems. Upon identification, NSFAS immediately activated its information security and incident management protocols, prioritised the matter, and implemented remedial measures without delay.
Actions taken include strengthening access controls, reviewing system permissions, and enhancing monitoring across affected environments. At this stage, there is no indication of an ongoing system compromise.
NSFAS remains committed to transparency and compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). This advisory is issued to inform users of the incident and the steps taken to secure NSFAS systems. Direct communication will be undertaken where required, based on verified risk and regulatory guidance.
NSFAS continues to strengthen its cybersecurity environment to protect the personal information of students and stakeholders.
Users are encouraged to remain vigilant, protect their login credentials, and report any suspicious activity via official NSFAS communication channels.
User permissions and system access have been reviewed and reinforced across affected environments.
Advanced monitoring has been implemented to detect and respond to potential threats in real time.
NSFAS remains committed to lawful, transparent, and responsible handling of personal information.
Accountability • Respect • Integrity • Social Justice • Excellence
Together, we look forward to advancing inclusive access to quality education and student funding in South Africa.
NSFAS beneficiaries are not required to pay any fees for student accommodation. Any accommodation provider charging such fees, or engaging in gender-based violence or sexual harassment, will be held accountable for this fraudulent and unethical behavior.
We encourage all stakeholders to report these unethical practices to our fraud prevention hotline at
speakup@nsfas.org.zaCalling all student accommodation providers: Join us in providing quality housing for NSFAS students.
Register Your PropertyFollow these steps to secure accommodation as an NSFAS beneficiary, provisional funded applicant, whom registered at a University or TVET college for the 2026 academic year.
Visit the myNSFAS portal and log in using your student credentials.
Browse the list of approved student accommodations near your institution.
Choose your preferred accommodation and complete the application form.
Receive an email or SMS confirming your accommodation reservation.
Sign up on the Accommodation Provider Application portal to start your journey.
Provide information about your property for verification.
Submit required documentation, such as proof of ownership and pay for the number of beds you are registering.
Compliance with the minimum norms and standard for student housing.
NSFAS offers a three-year contract with annual reviews for all registered accommodation providers.
Receive steady rental payments for NSFAS-funded students.
Provide housing and help students focus on their education.
Simple and straightforward registration and accreditation process.
Provide quality accommodation to students while earning steady rental income.
Register NowClick the buttons below to download the PDF documents for the NSFAS eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid for 2026 Academic Year.
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Who qualifies for the Bursary?
You qualify for a NSFAS bursary if you are a South African citizen who plans to study in 2026 or you are already studying at a public university or TVET college and you meet the following requirements:
ID number, Names and Surname is validated against the Department of Home Affairs database. Only valid South African ID information will be accepted.
