How Much Is NSFAS Allowance Per Month

If you are registered on the NSFAS and enjoying the benefits that come with it, then you will definitely love to know how much is NSFAS allowance per month. The NSFAS has different allowances that are designated to varied things at the end of the month. Each money has what it covers and as such, it is within reason to know what you will be getting at the end of the month.

In this article, we are going to take you through how much one is likely to earn after the end of the month when they are registered on the NSFAS. And if you are new to the NSFAS and want to register, you would know what you will be getting at the end of the month.

What Is NSFAS Allowance?

As the name implies, the NSFAS allowance is the money that is given to students who are fully registered in NSFAS. In other words, there are the benefits that come with the scheme. To enjoy these allowances, you have to go through the NSFAS application process.

How Much Is NSFAS Monthly Allowance?

In this 2025 academic year, the NSFAS beneficiaries will receive a monthly living allowance R1,650. This allowance is meant to cover their basic and personal needs including food, transport and other things. The NSFAS also gives additional allowance allocated for books pegged atR5,678 to R6,240 depending on the type of student and transport needs.

How Much Allowance Does NSFAS Give Students Per Month

Here is a breakdown of the NSFAS monthly allowance.

Living Allowance R700
Accommodation Up to R2,500 (urban), R2,000 (peri-urban), R1,800 (rural)
Transport Allowance Up to R625 (within 40km radius)
Personal Care Allowance R304

How Does The NSFAS Allowance System Work?

The NSFAS allowance is meant to provide money or financial help for students who are signed on to it. This is how it works;

It is only students who have been approved by the NSFAS that get the funding
The beneficiary has to be in a public university or a TVET college
The beneficiary must be the household income criteria and academic progression
University students who are beneficiaries receive their allowance via their bank
TVET students allowances via the NSFAS Wallet system, using a secure voucher and withdrawal process.

Types of Allowances

Living Allowance
Transport Allowance
Accommodation
Learning materials
Personal care

How Often Are Allowances Paid?

The NSFAS makes sure that they pay the allowances every month. If you are a beneficiary of the scheme, you will always receive your monthly allowance. The only allowance that is paid annually is learning materials allowance. Payment of these allowances typically starts following the registration and confirmation of academic records.

Important Things to Note

You should make sure you have signed your bursary agreement before receiving any funds from the NSFAS
Make sure to keep your bank details on the NSFAS portal. Should you change your bank, always remember to keep it updated on the portal.
If the details you have entered in any way is wrong, your funding will be affected. It would either be delayed or stopped entirely

Criteria For NSFAS Monthly Allowance

To qualify to enjoy the benefits that comes with the NSFAS, you must meet the following criteria;

A proof of your SASSA grant if applicable
Parental or guardian consent
Proof that you have registered at a public university or TVET college
Death certificate if any of your parents are deceased.
If you are under 18 years old, it means that you will not have an ID card, so you will need to make provision of your birth certificate.
A certified copy of the ID of your parents, guardian, or spouse if you are married
You will need to submit a proof of your parent’s income which may include bank statements for the last three months, pay slips and if they are self-employed, you will have to submit a business income statement or affidavit

What Are The Types Of NSFAS Allowances?

There are several types of NSFAS allowance that are meant to assist students financially on their journey towards attaining higher education. Here is a list;

Living Allowance
Transport Allowance
Accommodation
Learning materials
Personal care

How Much Allowance Does NSFAS Give Students Per The Year

Here is a breakdown of the NSFAS monthly allowance.

Living Allowance R700
Accommodation Up to R2,500 (urban), R2,000 (peri-urban), R1,800 (rural)
Transport Allowance Up to R625 (within 40km radius)
Personal Care Allowance R304

Breakdown Of NSFAS Monthly Allowance

Here is a breakdown of the allowance;

Here is a breakdown of the NSFAS monthly allowance.

Living Allowance R700
Accommodation Up to R2,500 (urban), R2,000 (peri-urban), R1,800 (rural)
Transport Allowance Up to R625 (within 40km radius)
Personal Care Allowance R304

How Many Months Does NSFAS Give Allowances?

The NSFAS gives the allowance from February to November. It is paid every month. The only allowance which is paid annually is the allowance allocated for books.

How Much Does NSFAS Allowance Pay For Accommodations

The money allocated for NSFAS allowance for accommodation is Up to R2,500 (urban), R2,000 (peri-urban), R1,800 (rural).

NSFAS Allowance Guide For New Students

If you are looking at getting on the NSFAS scheme as a new student make sure you know the following;

The types of allowance
The payment schedule
The payment method
The eligibility criteria

When Can I Expect My NSFAS Money?

When you sign on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, you are not going to receive your allowances immediately. The scheme has to accept your application first. After this confirmation is done and you are verified, only then can you start receiving an allowance. The allowance comes 10 times in the year. It is from February to November.

How Do I Get My NSFAS Allowances

The allowance is paid to the respective individual bank for tertiary students. If you are a TVET beneficiary, the allowance will be paid into your NSFAS wallet and a secured voucher code will be used to cash it out.

Is NSFAS Increasing Allowance?

There is always an increasing cost in living. Day in and day out, everything is at the peak and prices are surging. This means that allowances that would have been substantive a few years ago or can probably purchase a lot of items cannot do the same. As a result of this, the NSFAS has increased the allowance that is designated to the students.

How Much Is NSFAS Book Allowance

NSFAS Learning Materials Allowance, commonly referred to as the book allowance, is set at R5,678 per annum for university student

What Happens If I Haven’t Received My NSFAS Allowance?

If you do not receive your NSFAS allowance, it would be for a number of reasons. If that happens, you should contact the NSFAS immediately.

How Much Is The NSFAS Allowance For College Students

Does NSFAS Allowance Pay For Transportation?

Yes, it does but NSFAS will not pay for any sort of allowance that is not school related.

How Much Is NSFAS Money Monthly

Here is a breakdown of the NSFAS monthly allowance.

Living Allowance R700
Accommodation Up to R2,500 (urban), R2,000 (peri-urban), R1,800 (rural)
Transport Allowance Up to R625 (within 40km radius)
Personal Care Allowance R304

Conclusion

If you are registered on the NSFAS and enjoying the benefits that come with it, then you will definitely love to know how much allowance you are getting at the end of the month. The NSFAS has different allowances that are designated to varied things at the end of the month.

Each money has what it covers and as such, it is within reason to know what you will be getting at the end of the month.

FAQS

Are NSFAS Allowances Sufficient For All Expenses?

As humans as we are, there are expenses that may not even part of our immediate budget so asking if you are asking whether or not NSFAS allowances will be sufficient for all expenses, then the answer would be no as students may incur other expenses that NSFAS does not cover for.

Will NSFAS Fund My Postgraduate Studies?

No, NSFAS does not cater for postgraduate studies.