The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. These bursaries cover tuition and registration fees, as well as several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
With December approaching, students might be wondering about their NSFAS allowance payments.
NSFAS Allowances For University Students In 2024
For the 2024 academic year, university students receive the following NSFAS allowances:
- Learning Materials Allowance: R5,460 paid at the beginning of the year
- Living Allowance: R16,500
- Accommodation Allowance: Varies depending on accommodation type
- Transport Allowance: R7,875 for students living with relatives and not in private accommodation
Distance University students, such as Unisa students, who are studying less than 60 course credits towards their
qualification, qualify for the learning materials allowances only. Allowances for students in distance education programmes are calculated based on the number of courses registered up to a maximum of R5,460.
Distance University students studying an equivalent full-time course credit load qualify for the personal care allowance of R3,045 per academic year. This requires a student to be registered for a minimum of 120 course credits in one academic year.
NSFAS Allowances For University Students In December
NSFAS allowances are divided into 10 payments every year. This means that in December 2024, University students will not receive any allowances.
December is different to every month due to NSFAS not paying allowances during this month. NSFAS only pays allowances for 10 months every year, during the academic year.
The academic year commences in February and ends in November for most institutions which means that NSFAS pays allowances from February until November.
