Rating based on 30 reviews

NSFAS

Updated
  • Student loans up to R200,000
  • Low-interest starting from 11.5%
  • Repayment up to 60 months
NSFAS homepage
Author NSFAS. Screenshot of NSFAS website.
[Accessed January 24, 2023]

About NSFAS

NSFAS has been operating since 1991 and has provided over R50 billion worth of student loans and bursaries to deserving students over the years.

Funded by various branches of government and SETA they have the infrastructure to support underprivileged students who wish to pursue further academic studies.

Nationwide access to student funding

Through their website, NSFAS provides direct access to student funding and bursaries to a range of prospective students from across the Nation.

They are reliable and focused on delivering on their promises to their funders and to their students. They value dignity, integrity and reliability while remaining innovative and respectful.

NSFAS Services

NSFAS is a nonprofit organisation which assists various government departments and SETAs to provide students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds with bursaries and student loans to help them study through a South African university or TVET college.

Their funders - our bloodline

Their funders include the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Department of Agriculture, the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority and even the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority among many others. These funders provide them with the funds to finance students like you and are their bloodline.

NSFAS – Student loan

  • Loan Type Student loans
  • Interest Rate from 11.5%
  • Loan Amount up to R200,000
  • Repayment 6 months to 60 months

Benefits of NSFAS

  • Provision of finance to working-class families
  • Finance for higher education

Student loan calculator

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The interest rate of a loan will vary based on your credit score and risk profile.
This student loan calculator is for illustration purposes only.
The use of this loan calculator is subject to our terms of use.

They strive to help you finance your higher education

In order to apply for a student loan or bursary with NSFAS you must provide them with your identity document or birth certificate, a copy of your most recent academic results or matric certificate, a doctors certificate for disabled students, proof of income for parent or parents and, if deceased a death certificate.

To view a full list of supporting documents required please visit their website.

Apply for funding from anywhere in the country

NSFAS has put a great deal of effort into ensuring that students can easily apply for funding no matter where they're from.

You can apply for a loan online, apply via one of their Vodacom application centres or apply by printing and completing their application form which can then be faxed, emailed or handed to them.

First-time recipients

If you get funding from NSFAS for the first time, you will be required to sign the NSFAS Bursary Agreement Form. Signing is simple and can be done quickly and easily online in a few minutes.

What is covered?

They'll cover your registration fee, your tuition fee, personal care allowance, subsidised book allowances, meal allowances, transport allowances, accommodation (to a maximum), and learning materials (also to a maximum). All allowances are paid out in cash either directly to you through NSFAS Wallet or via the institution.

Who shouldn't apply?

Do not apply if you already completed a previous qualification, if you've applied and received funding (since you will be automatically funded for the entire duration of your studies as long as you pass your modules and meet your academic requirements) if your family's combined income is more than R350 000 annually, and if you are a student who is not a South African citizen. Furthermore, if you wish to study at a private institution, they won't be able to help you.

Students with disabilities are welcome to apply

They are proudly inclusive, offering to fund not only abled students but disabled students as well. they provide special disability funding to approved students with disabilities. So all are welcome to apply for financial assistance.

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NSFAS is a trusted & reliable provider of student loans

In our review, NSFAS adheres to the compliance criteria in accordance with the National Credit Act, where the granting the loan will not cause financial distress to the consumer.

✅ NSFAS is a registered credit provider in South Africa: NCRP2655

Customer Reviews & Testimonials

January 2019

NSFAS helped me out when I really needed it. I had previously applied somewhere else for a loan but that was unsuccessful. So when I found out that NSFAS was going to fund me, all my worries disa...

Puleng S
— Johannesburg —

January 2019

I applied online which was so simple. The form was very easy to fill in

Aubrey Z
— Durban —

NSFAS Contact

Physical Address

  • 10 Brodie Road, House Vincent 2nd Floor Cape Town Wynberg 7700 South Africa
  • Get Directions

Postal Address

  • Private Bag X1, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7801, South Africa

Opening Hours

  • not available