If you are planning to study at a public university or TVET college in South Africa in 2027, you may be wondering whether you qualify for NSFAS funding.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial support to eligible students who cannot afford the cost of their studies. NSFAS currently states that South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or are already studying, at a public university or TVET college can apply, subject to the applicable funding requirements.
For the 2027 academic year, NSFAS applications opened on 18 September 2026 and are scheduled to close on 31 October 2026. Applying is free.
NSFAS 2027 eligibility requirements at a glance
To be considered for NSFAS funding, applicants generally need to meet the applicable requirements relating to:
Citizenship or permanent-resident status
Studying or planning to study at a public university or TVET college
Household income
The qualification being studied
Academic and funding requirements
Submission of the required information and supporting documents
Meeting the income requirement alone does not automatically guarantee funding. NSFAS says applicants must also meet the other applicable requirements and successfully complete the verification and application process.
1. Who can apply for NSFAS?
According to the current NSFAS eligibility information, South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or are already registered, at a public university or TVET college can apply for NSFAS funding, subject to the applicable requirements.
NSFAS does not fund students studying at private institutions under its public-sector DHET funding. The 2026 NSFAS bursary guidelines state that applicants must be registered at a public higher education institution and that NSFAS does not provide funding to students studying at private institutions.
2. What is the NSFAS income limit for 2027?
The current NSFAS information gives different income thresholds depending on the applicant category.
Non-SASSA applicants
For applicants who are not verified SASSA grant recipients, the current NSFAS bursary income threshold is:
Gross combined household income of R350,000 or less per year.
“Gross” means income before tax and other deductions.
SASSA grant recipients
Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the current financial requirement for a NSFAS bursary, according to NSFAS. They still need to meet the other applicable requirements for funding.
Applicants with disabilities
For persons with disabilities, the current NSFAS bursary income threshold is:
Gross combined household income of R600,000 or less per year.
Students with disabilities can apply for funding for approved undergraduate qualifications at public universities or TVET colleges, subject to the applicable requirements.
3. How does NSFAS calculate household income?
NSFAS looks at the applicant’s circumstances when determining household income.
For example, where an applicant is unmarried, household income can include the gross income of the applicant and their parent or parents, depending on the circumstances.
Where an applicant has a legal guardian, the relevant income of the guardian and applicant is considered.
NSFAS also uses third-party data sources to verify information provided by applicants. Applicants are required to provide an accurate and properly completed consent form so that NSFAS can conduct its financial eligibility assessment.
4. Do I need to be studying at a public institution?
Yes. NSFAS funding is intended for eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges.
If you are planning to study at a private college or private university, you should investigate other funding options because NSFAS does not provide its DHET funding for students studying at private institutions.
5. Does NSFAS fund every qualification?
No.
NSFAS funding is linked to approved qualifications and applicable funding requirements. The current NSFAS information states that approved undergraduate qualifications offered at public universities or TVET colleges can be funded where the applicant meets the relevant requirements.
Students should therefore check whether the qualification and institution they have chosen fall within the applicable NSFAS funding rules before relying on NSFAS funding.
6. Can SASSA recipients apply for NSFAS?
Yes.
Verified SASSA grant recipients can apply for NSFAS funding for an approved undergraduate qualification at a public university or TVET college, subject to the applicable requirements.
According to the current NSFAS information, verified SASSA recipients automatically meet the financial requirement for a bursary.
7. Can students with disabilities apply?
Yes.
NSFAS allows persons with disabilities to apply for funding.
The current income threshold for persons with disabilities applying for a bursary is R600,000 or less in gross combined household income per year.
Applicants with disabilities may also have additional documentation requirements. NSFAS’s current application information provides for a disability annexure completed and signed by the applicant and a medical practitioner, together with the relevant medical report.
8. What documents may NSFAS require?
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the application.
The current NSFAS application information lists documents that may apply depending on the applicant’s circumstances, including:
A signed NSFAS consent form
A declaration form for applicants aged 34 or younger, where applicable
A disability annexure and medical report, where applicable
An orphan and vulnerable child declaration, where applicable
NSFAS advises applicants to make sure documents are clear and readable and that all required pages and signatures are included.
9. Does meeting the income requirement guarantee NSFAS funding?
No.
This is one of the most important things applicants should understand.
Being below the applicable household-income threshold does not automatically mean that your NSFAS application will be approved.
NSFAS states that meeting the income requirement is only one part of the eligibility process. Applicants must also meet the other applicable requirements and successfully complete the application and verification process.
10. When does NSFAS 2027 applications open and close?
For the 2027 academic year, the current NSFAS application window is:
Applications open: 18 September 2026
Applications close: 31 October 2026
NSFAS states that applications are free and should be completed online.
Students should avoid waiting until the final days to apply because they may need additional time to obtain or correct supporting documents.
How to apply for NSFAS 2027
Applicants can apply through the official NSFAS application system.
The application process involves:
Creating or accessing your myNSFAS account.
Completing your personal and household information.
Providing the required consent.
Uploading the applicable supporting documents.
Checking that your information is correct.
Submitting the application.
Keeping your application reference number.
Checking your myNSFAS account for updates.
NSFAS says applicants can save their application and return to complete it before submitting.
Important: Apply through the official NSFAS website
NSFAS states that applying is free.
Be careful of anyone asking you to pay a fee to submit a NSFAS application on your behalf.
Use the official NSFAS website and myNSFAS system when applying and tracking your application. NSFAS also warns applicants not to use unofficial “NSFAS application” apps that have not been published by NSFAS.
NSFAS 2027 eligibility checklist
Before applying, ask yourself:
☐ Am I a South African citizen or permanent resident?
☐ Am I planning to study, or already studying, at a public university or TVET college?
☐ Do I meet the applicable household-income requirement?
☐ Am I applying for an approved qualification?
☐ Do I have the required supporting documents?
☐ Have I provided accurate personal and household information?
☐ Have I completed the required consent forms?
☐ Have I checked my application carefully before submitting?
If you can answer these questions, you can proceed to check the detailed NSFAS requirements and submit your application through the official system.
Final word
NSFAS funding can make it possible for eligible students to continue their studies without carrying the full financial burden of higher education.
However, eligibility does not guarantee funding. NSFAS assesses applications against the applicable financial, academic, institutional and funding requirements.
For 2027, applicants should make sure their information and supporting documents are accurate and submit their applications before the 31 October 2026 closing date.
NextStepZA will continue updating this guide as official NSFAS information for the 2027 academic year becomes available.
Related NextStepZA guides
FAQ — NSFAS 2027 Eligibility Requirements
South African citizens and permanent residents who plan to study, or are already studying, at a public university or TVET college can apply, provided they meet the applicable NSFAS funding requirements.
The current NSFAS bursary information states that applicants who are not verified SASSA grant recipients generally need a gross combined household income of R350,000 or less per year. For persons with disabilities, the current threshold is R600,000 or less per year.
Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the current financial requirement for a NSFAS bursary. They must still meet the other applicable NSFAS requirements.
NSFAS funding is intended for eligible students studying at public universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS does not provide its DHET funding to students studying at private institutions.
Yes. Persons with disabilities can apply for NSFAS funding. The current income threshold for applicants with disabilities is R600,000 or less in gross combined household income per year, subject to the other applicable requirements.
No. Meeting the household-income requirement does not automatically guarantee funding. Applicants must also meet the other applicable eligibility, institutional, academic and funding requirements.
The documents required depend on your circumstances. Applicants may need documents such as a signed NSFAS consent form, declaration forms, and additional disability or orphan/vulnerable-child documentation where applicable.
The current 2027 NSFAS application period runs from 18 September 2026 to 31 October 2026. Applicants should submit their applications before the closing date.
Yes. Students planning to begin an eligible qualification at a public university or TVET college can apply, provided they meet the applicable NSFAS requirements.
Applicants should use the official NSFAS application system. NSFAS applications are free, and applicants should be cautious of anyone asking for payment to submit an application.