NSFAS Eligibility Criteria for 2026 Application

Detailed scope of NSFAS Eligibility Criteria for 2026 Application. Are you planning to apply for financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the 2026 academic year? Understanding the NSFAS eligibility criteria is the first and most important step before starting your application. NSFAS provides bursaries to South African students who come from low- to middle-income households and wish to study at public universities or TVET colleges. By meeting the NSFAS eligibility requirements, you increase your chances of receiving full financial support for tuition, registration, accommodation, and learning materials.

The NSFAS 2026 Eligibility Criteria outline who can qualify for funding based on factors such as citizenship, household income, academic performance, and enrollment at an approved institution. Students must be South African citizens, demonstrate financial need, and plan to pursue their first undergraduate qualification at a public higher learning institution.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the NSFAS 2026 requirements, including who qualifies, the income limits, academic conditions, and supporting documents needed. Whether you are a matriculant, current student, or SASSA beneficiary, understanding these rules will help you submit a successful NSFAS application for the 2026/2027 academic year.

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Keep reading to learn more about the full NSFAS 2026 eligibility requirements, application tips, and frequently asked questions.

Citizenship and Place of Study

To qualify for NSFAS funding, you must be a South African citizen or permanent resident with a valid South African ID number. Only students who are registered at public institutions such as a public university or TVET college are eligible for NSFAS bursary support under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) funding scheme. NSFAS does not fund students studying at private colleges or unaccredited institutions.

General Conditions of Funding

The following general conditions apply to all NSFAS-funded students:

Formal Registration: Students must be formally registered for an approved NSFAS-funded qualification at a public university or TVET college. The programme must be included in the institution’s DHET-approved enrolment plan.
Financial and Academic Eligibility: Before a bursary is awarded, students must meet both the financial need criteria and the academic performance requirements.
Initial and Ongoing Assessment: Financial need is assessed when a student first applies. Continuing students do not need to re-apply every year, as long as they continue to meet the academic and eligibility requirements. However, NSFAS reserves the right to review and reassess funding eligibility for any student at the start of each academic term.
Re-application Requirements:
- Students who change institution types (for example, moving from a TVET college to a university or vice versa) must re-apply for funding.
- Students who de-register, drop out, or take a break from their studies must re-apply during the normal NSFAS application period if they wish to resume their studies in the future.
- Students progressing through the NSFAS academic pathway must meet the continuing student eligibility criteria to maintain funding.
One Qualification Rule: NSFAS will only fund one qualification at one institution at a time. You cannot receive funding for multiple programs simultaneously.
Other Funding Sources: If a student receives a full bursary from another source, it must be reported to NSFAS within 10 days of receiving the alternative funding. In such cases:
- The NSFAS bursary will be withdrawn.
- No additional NSFAS payments will be made.
- Any extra funds already disbursed must be refunded to NSFAS during the institution’s reconciliation process.
Compliance with the N+ Rule: Students must comply with the N+Rule to remain eligible for funding.
- The rule determines the maximum number of years a student can be funded based on the official duration of their qualification.
- Any student who no longer meets the University or TVET College N+Rule will not continue receiving NSFAS support.
University-Specific Conditions
For university students, the following additional conditions apply:
- Funding is limited to students pursuing their first undergraduate or certificate qualification.
- Students who already hold a university qualification do not qualify as First-Time Entering (FTEN) students, even if they are starting a new degree.
- However, students who completed a TVET qualification and are enrolling at a university for the first time are considered FTEN.
- Any funding received before 2018 is still governed by the Loan Agreement previously signed.
- University students who need to re-apply must meet the current NSFAS eligibility requirements and cannot register for NC(V) courses at TVET Colleges.
Students with Disabilities
Students living with disabilities must provide:
- A detailed medical report issued by a registered healthcare professional affiliated with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
- For chronic or long-term conditions, the report must explain how the medical condition affects learning or participation in academic activities.
  This helps NSFAS assess the appropriate level of support needed for each applicant.
Approved Funded Qualifications: NSFAS only funds qualifications approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) or the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
University Qualifications
University-funded qualifications include:
- Certificates (NQF Level 5) – Higher Certificate or National Higher Certificate
- Undergraduate Degrees (NQF Levels 6–8) – Advanced Certificates, Diplomas, National Diplomas, and Bachelor’s Degrees
TVET College Qualifications
TVET-funded qualifications fall into four categories:

1. Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP): Funded for one academic term only.
2. NATED/Report 191 Qualifications: Funded for one term for introductory courses.
3. National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)]: Registered under the General and Further Education and Training Sub-Framework.
4. Occupational Programmes: Funded only if approved by DHET.

Financial Eligibility Criteria for NSFAS Funding

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) uses specific financial eligibility criteria to determine whether a student qualifies for funding. These criteria apply to all applicants including first-time applicants, continuing students, and returning beneficiaries. The goal is to ensure that financial assistance goes to students who genuinely need support to pursue higher education.

1. Understanding Household Income

Household income plays a major role in determining financial eligibility, especially for applicants who are not SASSA grant recipients. It refers to the total combined income earned by everyone who contributes to the household. Here’s how it’s calculated based on your living situation:

Unmarried Applicants: The household income includes the gross income (from all sources) of your biological or adoptive mother, biological or adoptive father, and yourself (the applicant).
Applicants Under Legal Guardianship: The total household income will include the gross income of your legal guardian and your own income, if applicable.
Married Applicants: If you are married, the household income is calculated as the combined gross income of you and your spouse.

For all these categories, “gross income” refers to the total amount earned before taxes or deductions, including salaries, business income, and other forms of earnings.

2. Independent or Adult Learners

Students who are unmarried and financially independent from their parents may be classified as adult learners.

According to the Requirements and Conditions for Matriculation Endorsement and the Issuing of Certificates of Exemption for Admission to Tertiary Studies, such learners may be exempted from submitting a parental declaration form. This exemption applies only if the applicant meets the official definition of an adult learner.

3. SASSA Grant Recipients

Students who receive any South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant automatically qualify for NSFAS funding based on financial need.

Once NSFAS verifies your grant status through its database, you are deemed financially eligible without the need to submit income proof.

Eligible SASSA grants include:

Foster Care Grant
Care Dependency Grant
Child Support Grant

This automatic qualification simplifies the application process for low-income households that already receive government assistance.

4. Non-SASSA Applicants

For students who are not SASSA beneficiaries, NSFAS assesses financial eligibility based on household income thresholds:

R350,000 or less per year for most students.
R600,000 or less per year for students with disabilities.

These thresholds apply regardless of when the student first registered at a public University or TVET College. Students who fall above these income limits are considered financially ineligible for NSFAS bursaries.

5. Verification Through Third-Party Data Sources

To ensure fairness and accuracy, NSFAS verifies all submitted information using third-party data sources. These may include government databases, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and other financial or employment systems.

Every applicant must submit a complete, accurate, and signed NSFAS Consent Form. This document authorizes NSFAS to access and verify the applicant’s financial data and confirm household income details.

Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information can result in delays, application rejection, or even withdrawal of funding if discovered later.

NSFAS Academic Eligibility Criteria

To continue receiving financial assistance from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), students must not only meet financial requirements but also maintain good academic performance. NSFAS assesses academic progress each year to ensure that funding is supporting students who are actively progressing toward completing their qualifications.

Below is a detailed explanation of how NSFAS determines academic eligibility for both University and TVET College students, as well as how the N+ Rule affects funding duration.

1. General Academic Eligibility

NSFAS measures academic progression based on the percentage of course modules or credits passed each academic year.
To stay eligible, students must consistently pass a set portion of their modules. NSFAS and higher education institutions work together to align academic progression standards to ensure fairness and consistency across all public universities and TVET colleges.

2. University Academic Eligibility Criteria

For university students, NSFAS funding is conditional on maintaining strong academic performance.

Pass Rate Requirement: University students must pass at least 60% of their registered course credits by the end of each academic year.
For example, if a student is registered for 10 modules, they must pass at least 6 to remain eligible for NSFAS funding in the next academic year.
Continued Eligibility:
Students who fail to meet the 60% pass rate may lose funding unless they can demonstrate extenuating circumstances that affected their performance (subject to institutional review).

This performance threshold encourages students to stay committed to their studies and make meaningful academic progress toward their degrees.

3. TVET College Academic Eligibility Criteria

For TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) College students, NSFAS applies slightly different standards based on the qualification type:

NC(V) Programmes: To progress to the next NC(V) level, students must pass at least five subjects at their current level.
Report 191 (NATED) Programmes: To move to the next N-Level, students must pass a minimum of three subjects in their previous level.
Occupational Programmes: Academic progression for these programmes is determined directly by the TVET College. The college must then share the student’s results with NSFAS for funding review.

4. The N+ Rule Explained

The N+ Rule sets a limit on how long NSFAS will fund a student. It defines the maximum study duration allowed to complete a qualification.

What “N” Means:
“N” represents the minimum number of years required to complete a qualification.
For example, a three-year degree (N=3) means NSFAS can fund the student for N+1 years, i.e., up to four years in total.
Exceptions:
- Students with disabilities are eligible for N+2 funding, giving them an extra two years of support.
- Distance-learning university students may have a longer “N” period since their programmes typically take more time to complete.

The additional “+1” or “+2” year can only be applied once during a student’s academic journey at either a university or TVET college.

5. Changing Institutions or Programmes

Students who change qualifications or switch institutions (e.g., from a TVET College to a University) must be aware that the N+ calculation resets based on their new qualification. However, if their remaining funding period (based on the original N+ rule) cannot cover the new qualification’s duration, NSFAS funding will stop.

Additionally, students who move between programmes within a TVET college such as switching from NC(V) to Report 191 are generally not eligible for continued NSFAS funding unless they made the change early in their first academic term.