When Is NSFAS Opening Late Application For 2025

When Is NSFAS Opening Late Application For 2025 is a question many students in South Africa have every intention of enjoying the benefits that comes with the NSFAS. This is because it gives them room to prepare adequately for the application process which can be a tad tedious if one is not prepared. In this article, we are going to take readers through the NSFAS late application process and the dates when they will be opened. To find out more, continue reading for full details.

Is NSFAS Still Open For 2025 Late Applications?

As someone who would like to enjoy the benefits that come with signing on to the National Student financial aid scheme, you would love to know if applications have been closed or not and whether or not the scheme has opened the portal for late applications.

The truth is that NSFAS opens late applications every year. As of now, this May 2025, the portals have been closed. The application ended in December 2024 and opened for late application in January 2025. If you are looking at registering for the NSFAS, then you would have to wait for the 2026 application window to apply. You have to constantly visit the NSFAS official website every now and then.

Does NSFAS Open For Late Applications?

Yes, the NSFAS always opens applications for late admissions and applications. This means that, if for some reason you were not able to apply when the application portals are opened, you can always apply for the second time when the portal is opened. Make sure you stay on the official website of the NSFAS so you don’t miss the deadlines.

Is The NSFAS Application Extended?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme opens its main, that is first application and closes on December 15, 2024. The late application window which is typically for TVET college students is open from January 13 to January 24, 2025. This means that, there is no way that there would be an extension of the NSFAS application.

What Does The NSFAS Cover?

There are a lot of things that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme covers. Although it does not cover for private tuition and anything that has a stint of private in it, it covers the following;

NSFAS also covers the cost of living. This comes in the form of allowances that can potentially cover food, toiletries, and other basic things.
NSFAS also covers transport. The program provides a designated amount of money to student beneficiaries to cater to their transportation needs.
A set amount for purchasing textbooks, stationery, and other study materials.
A designated amount of money is also set aside for food. Student beneficiaries are paid this money, which is allocated to take care of the food needs.
They cover your full tuition fee at the university or TVET college. This means that you don’t have to worry about how you are going to foot your tuition.
They equally cover students’ accommodation. This would either be private accommodation, which is typically up to a limit, or a public hostel.

How Do I Apply For NSFAS?

When you have not gone through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme application process, it can be tedious for you as it requires a lot of steps. That notwithstanding, these steps are not difficult, once you have all that is required of you, you can go through the steps and apply within a blink of an eye.

The first step you need to take is to visit the NSFAS official website to create an account. You will do this by creating a profile for yourself with your details. After this, you should have a username and password.
When done, you can proceed to login with your username and unique password.
The next step is to prepare your documents. Make sure you have all the documents that are required, ready for upload.
You can now go ahead to submit your application when you have gone through everything vividly.
The last step is the waiting and tracking period. NSFAS will contact you.

Supporting Documents For NSFAS

The supporting documents for NSFAS application are all the documents that are needed to complete the application. Without these documents you don’t stand the chance of getting under the scheme and enjoying the benefits that come with it. These documents include;

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.
Proof of disability, if applicable.
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.

How Do You Apply For NSFAS If You Already Have An Account?

If you already have an NSFAS account, it means that you have gone through the process of creating an account. If you don’t have an account, here is how to go about creating an NSFAS account.

The first thing you need to do is to visit the NSFAS official website
Click on the personal portal item
Fill the form with your ID card number, you name, and contact details
You have to choose a username and a unique password. This is what you will need when you are signing into the portal
Once you have done all of this, close the portal and log back in with your username and password.

After completing this, it now comes to filling the NSFAS forms.

The first thing is to complete the application form with your information which includes household income, academic progress and any other information that is required.
The next thing is to upload all supporting documents. These are;

Certified copy of your ID or birth certificate.
Proof of household income (e.g., recent payslips, grant receipts, or affidavits).
Latest academic transcripts or proof of registration.
Signed consent form for household income verification.
Certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ ID documents.

Make sure all documents are scanned, readable and in the right format before uploading.
Go through the form and make sure everything you have written down is the right and correct thing.
Submit when you are convinced of the outcome.
You can track your application to see if NSFAS has accepted you into the scheme.

Documents Needed for NSFAS Application

You will need certified copies of ID documents for your parents, guardian, or spouse
You will also need a consent form from either a parent or a guardian
You will also need proof of income
You will need a marriage certificate if applicable
Proof of disability if applicable
Death certificate of a parent or guardian if applicable

After you have gathered all of the supporting documents, do the following;

The first thing is to complete the application form with your information which includes household income, academic progress and any other information that is required.
The next thing is to upload all supporting documents. These are;

Make sure all documents are scanned, readable and in the right format before uploading.
Go through the form and make sure everything you have written down is the right and correct thing.
Submit when you are convinced of the outcome.
You can track your application to see if NSFAS has accepted you into the scheme.

Requirements For A Successful NSFAS Application

When applying for NSFAS, many people do it with hopes of getting into the scheme and enjoying the benefits that come with it. That is the whole point if you ask me. To make sure that this application process runs smoothly and additionally increases your chances of getting into the scheme, you have to do the following;

You have to meet the general eligibility criteria which is;

You must be a South African citizen
You must make sure you are already in a public university, a TVET college, or have intentions of enrolling
Come from a household with a combined annual income of R350,000 or less (R600,000 or less for applicants with disabilities).
You have to make sure you have already taken Grade 12 exams and have passed

When you have met the basic eligibility criteria, then you can go ahead to get all of your supporting documents. The supporting documents you will need for this are;

You will need certified copies of ID documents for your parents, guardian, or spouse
You will also need a consent form from either a parent or a guardian
You will also need proof of income
You will need a marriage certificate if applicable
Proof of disability if applicable
Death certificate of a parent or guardian if applicable

After gathering all the documents, the next thing to do is to apply. This is how to apply;

The first step you need to take is to visit the NSFAS official website to create an account. You will do this by creating a profile for yourself with your details. After this, you should have a username and password.
When done, you can proceed to login with your username and unique password.
The next step is to prepare your documents. Make sure you have all the documents that are required, ready for upload.
You can now go ahead to submit your application when you have gone through everything vividly.
The last step is the waiting and tracking period. NSFAS will contact you.

The fact that you have applied does not mean that you will automatically get into the scheme. You can be disqualified for so many reasons. Some of these reasons why you will be disqualified are;

When the documents you have submitted are not clear enough or you cannot read them.
When you do not submit all of the required supporting documents
If and when you apply after the deadline or after the closed of the late application period has ended
When you are in a private university you will be disqualified. NSFAS only funds government universities and TVET colleges
When you fail to meet the income requirement you will be disqualified.

How Much Will The NSFAS Allowance Be in 2025?

NSFAS disburses allowances to student beneficiaries every month. The funds are released to serve the specific needs of the things the scheme covers. Students receive the funds from February to November that is 10 times in a year. Book allowance however comes once a year.

Here is a break down of the allowance for university students;

Accommodation Allowance (per annum):

Catered Residences:

Metro Areas: R65,993
Non-Metro Areas: R56,633

Non-Catered Residences:

Metro Areas: R52,000
Non-Metro Areas: R42,640

Living Allowance: R17,160 per annum

Learning Material Allowance: R5,678 (once-off)

Transport Allowance: R8,190 per annum

Personal Care Allowance: R3,167 per annum

Additional Support for Students with Disabilities:
Human Support: R52,000 per annum
Assistive Devices: Up to R54,080 per annum

TVET Students

Accommodation Allowance (per annum):
Catered Residences:

Metro Areas: R65,993
Non-Metro Areas: R56,633

Non-Catered Residences:

Metro Areas: R52,000
Non-Metro Areas: R42,640

Living Allowance: R17,160 per annum

Learning Material Allowance: R5,678 (once-off)

Transport Allowance: R8,190 per annum

Personal Care Allowance: R3,167 per annum

Additional Support for Students with Disabilities:
Human Support: R52,000 per annum
Assistive Devices: Up to R54,080 per annum

For university students, the allowances are sent to their bank accounts. For TVET students, allowances are sent into their NSFAS wallet where they can use a unique voucher code to cash it out.

Regular Allowances That Should Be Expected

Although some of the allowances that are received under the NSFAS scheme is on an annual basis, some of allowances are regular. Which means that they come every month from February to November, making it 10 times in a year.

Regular for university students;

Living Allowance: R17,160 per annum
Learning Material Allowance: R5,678 (once-off)
Transport Allowance: R8,190 per annum
Personal Care Allowance: R3,167 per annum

Regular for TVET students;

Living Allowance: R17,160 per annum

Learning Material Allowance: R5,678 (once-off)

Transport Allowance: R8,190 per annum

Personal Care Allowance: R3,167 per annum

FAQs

What is NSFAS?

NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. The NSFAS is a South African government initiative or program that has its main focus pinned on providing financial assistance to South African students who are eligible. It must be noted that, if you want to enjoy the benefits that come with NSFAS, you must make sure that you are attending either a public university or a TVET college. NSFAS does not cover private tuition.

What Are The Documents Needed For An NSFAS Application?

You will need certified copies of ID documents for your parents, guardian, or spouse

You will also need a consent form from either a parent or a guardian

You will also need proof of income

You will need a marriage certificate if applicable

Proof of disability if applicable

Death certificate of a parent or guardian if applicable

Is NSFAS Open For 2025?

NSFAS has closed its application portal for the 2025 academic year. Applicants who wish to get on the scheme would have to wait for the next academic year to apply.

Does NSFAS Fund Postgraduate 2025?

No, the NSFAS does not fund postgraduates. It only funds TVET colleges students and students who are going through to the first degree. So if you are looking for funding for postgraduate education for NSFAS, you would have to look elsewhere.

What Is The NSFAS Allowance For 2025?

Living Allowance: R17,160 per annum

Learning Material Allowance: R5,678 (once-off)

Transport Allowance: R8,190 per annum

Personal Care Allowance: R3,167 per annum

Can I Restart My NSFAS Application And Apply Again?

Yes, when you have applied for the first time and did not get in, you can always apply again. You will have to make sure the application portal has been opened before.

What Is The Whatsapp Number For NSFAS?

The official WhatsApp number for NSFAS is +27 78 519 8006.