How Long Does NSFAS Fund You 2026

How Long Does NSFAS Fund You 2026

Will NSFAS Fund You Until Graduation in 2026?

Fresh applicants or already studying students planning to apply for NSFAS in 2026, you might be wondering how long the funding lasts. NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is a government bursary that helps students from poor and working-class families pay for their studies at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa. But NSFAS doesn’t fund students forever; there are clear rules about how long you can be supported.

The good news is that NSFAS usually funds students for the full duration of their qualification. For example, if your degree takes three or four years to complete, NSFAS will cover you for all those years, as long as you pass your modules and meet the academic requirements each year. However, if you fail and take longer to finish your course, you may still get help under the NSFAS N+1 rule. This rule allows one extra year of funding if you need more time to complete your qualification.

For example, if your course takes three years to finish, NSFAS can fund you for up to four years. But this only applies if you’re still studying towards your first qualification and you meet all the other requirements.

It’s important to check how long your course is and plan your studies well so you don’t run out of funding. Keep in mind that NSFAS won’t fund second qualifications or postgraduate studies. Always stay up to date by checking the NSFAS website for any changes to their rules for 2026.

READ MORE: NSFAS Appeal For 2025-2026

How Long Does NSFAS Fund You in 2026

NSFAS usually funds students for the full length of their qualification. For example:

• A 3-year diploma or degree will be funded for 3 years.
• A 4-year degree will be funded for 4 years.

This means that as long as you pass your subjects and meet NSFAS’s academic requirements, you will be covered each year until you complete your qualification.

What Is The NSFAS N+1 Rule And How It Functions

NSFAS also includes something called the N+1 rule. This means that you can get funding for the official length of your course (N), plus one extra year. That extra year helps students who may have repeated a year or taken longer to finish their studies.

Below is a simple example:

• If your course takes 3 years, NSFAS can fund you for up to 4 years (3 years + 1).
• If your course takes 4 years, NSFAS may fund you for up to 5 years.

But this only applies if you are still studying for your first undergraduate qualification and have not yet completed another funded course.

What Does The NSFAS Fund Cover For University And TVET Colleges

Below are what the NSFAS funds cover:

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:

• Accommodation: As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,500 per annum
• Living allowance R15, 000 per annum
• Book allowances R5200 per annum
• Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

TVET College STUDENTS:

• Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
• Accommodation in a peri-urban area is R18,900 per annum
• Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350 per annum
• Transport R7000 per annum
• Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

READ Also: NSFAS Appeal For 2025-2026

NSFAS Contact Information

• Website: www.nsfas.org.za
• Email: info@nsfas.org.za
• South African students: 0860 067 327
• International students: +27 21 763 3232
• Physical Address: 10 Brodie Road, Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa, 7700
• Postal Address: Private Bag X1, Plumstead, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, 7801

NSFAS will continue to support students for the duration of their course, plus one additional year, under the N+1 rule. This gives you a fair chance to complete your studies even if you experience challenges along the way. Just remember, NSFAS funding is only for your first qualification and depends on your academic progress. For more details, visit the official website.