NSFAS Online Application for 2025-2026
Get started by creating a new account.
- Type in first names (as per ID number)
- Type in Surname (as per ID number)
- Type in your ID number (will your username)
- Type in your own Email address
- Type in your own Cellphone number
- Accept terms and conditions Tick the box provided, to allow NSFAS to check the information provided (compulsory)
- Create a Password, To (protect your account)
ID number, Names and Surname is validated against the Department of Home Affairs database. Only valid South African ID information will be accepted.
The NSFAS Online Application Procedure is as follows:
1. Visit the NSFAS website at www.nsfas.org.za and click on the “Apply” button.
2. Register an account by providing your name, email address, and a password.
3. After registering, you will be taken to the application form. Here you will provide your personal details, contact information, and academic history.
4. Once you have completed the application form, click on the “Submit” button.
7. Once you have uploaded all of the required documents, click on the “Submit” button.
8. Your application will then be sent to NSFAS for processing. You will be notified via email once a decision has been made on your application.
NSFAS Application demonstration
Visit https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/how-to-apply.html to apply.
If you are unable to complete the application by yourself, you can visit a National Youth Development Agency Centre, a Thusong Centre or one of NSFAS application partner’s centre near you, where a NSFAS representative will help you apply.
NSFAS 2022 Appeals supporting documents:
If you would like to appeal your #NSFAS2022 application results, please download and complete the relevant required supporting document below and upload it with your appeal.
Vulnerable Child declaration form
Declaration form non-SASSA
Disability Annexure A form
Who should apply?
- Prospective students who applied for admission to the current academic year for a first undergraduate qualification.
- Returning students who took a gap year in the previous academic year (ie did not study in the previous academic year), who have an incomplete undergraduate qualification and who have not exceeded the N+ rule.
- NSFAS approved returning and new students in the previous academic year who did not study during the the previous academic year academic year.
- Students funded by other NSFAS bursaries who wish to switch to the NSFAS DHET grant.
Your NSFAS application will not be considered if you
- received NSFAS funding in the previous academic year.
- have already completed an undergraduate degree or diploma.
- are not a South African citizen.
- need funding for a Short Learning Certificate or Programme or a postgraduate qualification.
2025-2026 Academic Year Registration
Please visit the Unisa registration website for the registration dates: www.unisa.ac.za/register
- Returning NSFAS students who were funded in the previous academic year but have not yet completed their qualification: Please ensure that you are temporarily registered during Unisa’s registration period while waiting for NSFAS funding confirmation for the current academic year.
- Returning NSFAS students who received funding in the previous academic year, have been declined for funding in the current academic year and have appealed the decision: Please pay the minimum registration fee while you wait for the NSFAS appeal decision if you chose to do so.
- First-time NSFAS applicants: Please ensure that you are temporarily registered during Unisa’s registration period while waiting for NSFAS funding confirmation. If your NSFAS application is declined or delayed by close of the registration period, you will be expected to find alternative funding before your registration will be activated.
If your NSFAS application is provisionally approved, you do not need to pay the minimum registration fee. Your registration will be automatically activated based on NSFAS funding confirmation received by Unisa.
Appeal application
If your NSFAS application is rejected, you may appeal during the prescribed appeal application period only. The application process and dates for the appeal will be communicated. New applicants must appeal directly with NSFAS: www.nsfas.org.za
Refunds
- All NSFAS-funded students who pay the minimum registration amount to activate their registration will be refunded.
- A refund will only be processed once NSFAS has confirmed successful processing of registration data to Unisa.
- An application for a refund is not necessary.
Learning Material Allowance and Living Allowance for the current academic year.
- Unisa NSFAS-funded students are only entitled to a Learning Material Allowance (LMA) and Living Allowance (LA).
- Based on the the previous academic year DHET Grant Funding Guidelines, the LMA is calculated based on the number of modules registered: R600 per module for the first four modules and a R5 200 once-off amount for five to ten modules. If the amount of R5 200 LMA is paid for the first five modules, no additional LMA will be paid for additional modules.
- Based on the the previous academic year DHET Grant Funding Guidelines, the LA is paid to students registered for ten modules. A student who registers for ten modules and later reduces the number of modules registered will unfortunately forfeit this allowance.
NSFAS bursaries (Department of Social Development, Funza Lushaka, Department of Military Veterans, and Department of Justice [TRC])
- Students funded under these bursaries must renew their funding with their funders during their applicable application dates.
- Students are encouraged to visit their funders’ webpages for application dates.
What is my NSFAS Status? How Can I Check My NSFAS Status?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government initiative that provides financial assistance to qualifying students who come from households with a combined annual income of less than R350,000. To check your NSFAS status, you will need to log in to your NSFAS account at nsfas.org.za. Once you have logged in, you will be able to see your application status as well as any other important information regarding your NSFAS funding.
I Forgot myNSFAS Account Password, What Should I do Now?
If you have forgotten your password for your MyNSFAS account, you can follow the steps below to reset it:
1. Go to the MyNSFAS website (www.mynsfas.org.za).
2. Click on the ‘Forgot Password?’ link.
3. Enter your email address in the ‘Email Address’ field and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
4. An email will be sent to you with further instructions on how to reset your password.
Do I Have To Pay For Registration if My NSFAS Funds Were Approved?
No, you do not have to pay for registration if your NSFAS funds were approved.
What to Do Next If Your Are Approved By NSFAS?
The NSFAS allocation is sent to students on the UFS system after NSFAS verifies the data and makes an allocation. After the allocation is made, Financial Aid will notify the student via SMS. The registration prepayment block will be lifted five hours after NSFAS funds are allocated, provided that you are now prepared to register.
Every year, the UFS Financial Aid office requests a complete list of students receiving NSFAS funding from NSFAS. Validation checks are made and NSFAS funds are allocated to students on the system. After the allocation, Financial Aid will notify the student via SMS. The registration prepayment block will be lifted five hours after NSFAS funds are allocated. You may now register.
