NSFAS 2025

How Many Times Can NSFAS Fund You

How Many Times Can NSFAS Fund You

Can Older Students Apply for NSFAS in 2026?:

Planning to study at a public university or TVET college in South Africa but needs financial support from NSFAS, one of the most common questions you may ask is, “How many times can NSFAS fund you?” Understanding the funding duration is important because the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) does not provide unlimited support. NSFAS follows specific rules to ensure that funding is distributed fairly and sustainably among students in need.

NSFAS can fund you for the minimum number of years required to complete your qualification, plus an additional two years. This is known as the N+2 rule for university students. For example, if your degree is meant to take three years to complete, NSFAS can fund you for up to five years if you remain academically eligible and meet all the requirements. For students who were already enrolled before 2018, the older N+1 rule may apply instead. This means one extra year of funding beyond the official duration of your course.

It is important to note that the extra years are meant to cover situations like repeating a year or changing your program once. However, once you have used up your allowed years under the NSFAS policy, you will no longer be eligible for further financial assistance unless you move to a new level of study, like progressing from a diploma to a degree.

So, in simple terms, NSFAS can fund you only once per qualification level, and only within a specific timeframe. Knowing this helps you plan your studies more carefully and stay on track to avoid losing funding.

Does NSFAS fund a second qualification or postgraduate studies?

No, NSFAS does not fund a second qualification or any postgraduate studies. As of the 2021 academic year, NSFAS only provides financial support for a student’s first undergraduate qualification. Postgraduate courses are no longer covered under the NSFAS bursary scheme.

NSFAS Funding Duration: The N+2 Rule Explained

NSFAS follows a specific policy known as the N+2 rule. This means that NSFAS will fund you for the minimum number of years required to complete your qualification (N), plus an additional two years. These extra years are provided to accommodate academic delays, such as failing modules or changing programs.

For example, if your degree is structured to take three years, NSFAS will fund you for up to five years, provided you meet the academic and financial requirements each year. This gives students some flexibility while encouraging them to complete their studies within a reasonable time.

NSFAS Funding Limits by Qualification Level

NSFAS only funds one qualification at each level of study. This means you cannot receive funding for a second undergraduate qualification.
If you have already completed a degree or diploma with NSFAS support, you won’t be funded again for another undergraduate course.
NSFAS also does not fund postgraduate studies, with a few exceptions such as certain PGCE or medical qualifications approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

What Happens If You Exceed Your Funding Limit?

If you exceed the NSFAS N+2 limit, your funding will be stopped, and you will be responsible for covering the remaining tuition and related costs on your own.
That is why it is important to plan your studies wisely, pass your modules, and avoid unnecessary course changes or drops.

Can You Restart NSFAS Funding by Switching Institutions?

Simply switching institutions does not reset your NSFAS funding duration.
Your funding years are tracked across all institutions.
So, if you studied for two years at one university and transferred to another, NSFAS still counts those two years toward your total.

NSFAS Payment Dates 2026

NSFAS disburses payments using the payment schedule provided below;

First Semester NSFAS Payment Date:

Cycle 1 – All Campuses 26 February 2026
Cycle 2 – All Campuses 06 March 2026
Cycle 3 – All Campuses 22 April 2026
Cycle 4 – All Campuses 20 May 2026
Cycle 5 – All Campuses Monday 17 June 2026

Second Semester NSFAS Payment Date

Cycle 6 – Medical School 01 July 2026
Cycle 6 – All Other Campuses 08 July 2026
Cycle 7 – All Campuses 05 August 2026
Cycle 8 – All Campuses 02 September 2026
Cycle 9 – All Campuses 07 October 2026
Cycle 10 – All Campuses (Final payment for 2026) 04 November 2026

Required Supporting Documents: NSFAS Application 2025

Upload the following documents:

Students with disabilities must provide:
A completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form:
Students must download the NSFAS 2025 Consent form:

Students must download the NSFAS Declaration form:

This form is only for applicants who are 34 years old or younger and whose parent-child relationship with the provided parents/guardians cannot be verified by NSFAS:

Other documents that may be required, if applicable:

Retrenchment letter
Death certificate/s
Divorce Decree
Proof of legal guardianship
Marriage certificate

Other documents may be required for appeal purposes, retrenchment letter

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

Understanding the NSFAS age limit for the academic year 2026-2027 is essential for students looking for financial assistance for their higher studies. NSFAS Official website here. Hope the provided information is helpful, kindly share your thoughts below in the comment section.