How Much Is NSFAS Allowance Per Year

How Much Is NSFAS Allowance Per Year

How Much Will You Get from NSFAS in 2026?

NSFAS allowances cover expenses such as accommodation, living allowance, travel, personal care, assistive devices, and human support, especially for students with disabilities. The annual accommodation allowance can range from R42,640 to R69,63,3 depending on whether the student is in a catered or non-catered setup, and whether they are in a metro or non-metro area. For example, a non-catered student in a metro area can receive R52,000 per year for accommodation, while a catered disability student in a metro area may get as much as R69,633.

If you are a South African student wondering how much NSFAS pays per year, you are not alone. With thousands relying on this bursary to fund their higher education, it is important to know the exact NSFAS allowance breakdown per year. In 2026, NSFAS continued its commitment to supporting students financially across universities and TVET colleges, offering a variety of allowances tailored to living, studying, and accessibility needs.

The living allowance is R17,160 to R20,800 per year, paid in monthly instalments, depending on whether the student is catered or non-catered, and whether they are at a university or TVET college. Travel allowances for transport-focused students can reach up to R8,190 annually, while students with disabilities may also qualify for assistive device allowances of up to R54,080 and human support of R52,000.

Understanding the total annual NSFAS allowance helps students and families plan effectively for the academic year. Whether you’re at a university or TVET college, knowing how much support you’re eligible for can make all the difference in your education journey.

READ ALSO: Apply For NSFAS 2025-2026

How Much Is The NSFAS Allowance Per Year For University Students

Below are the allowances paid to university students per year:

Book Allowance:

• UNI Catered (Metro & Non-Metro): R5,678
• UNI Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R6,240
• UNI Non-Catered (Metro & Non-Metro): R5,678
• UNI Non-Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R6,240
• UNI Disability Transport: R6,240
• UNI Transport: R5,678
• UNI Distance/UNISA: R660 per module (Max R5,678)

Accommodation:

• UNI Catered Disability Metro: R69,633
UNI Catered Disability Non-Metro: R60,273
• UNI Catered Metro: R65,993
• UNI Catered Non-Metro: R56,633
• UNI Non-Catered Disability Metro: R52,000
• UNI Non-Catered Disability Non-Metro: R42,640
• UNI Non-Catered Metro: R52,000
• UNI Non-Catered Non-Metro: R42,640
• UNI Disability Transport: Not applicable
• UNI Transport: Not applicable
• UNI Distance/UNISA: Not applicable

Living Allowance:

• UNI Non-Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R20,800
• UNI Non-Catered (Metro & Non-Metro): R17,160
• UNI Disability Transport: R20,800
• UNI Transport: R17,160
• UNI Catered categories: Not applicable

Travel Allowance:

• UNI Disability Transport: R8,190
• UNI Transport: R8,190

All other categories: Not applicable

Personal Care Allowance:

• All relevant categories (except distance): R3,167
• UNI Distance/UNISA: R3,167

Human Support Allowance (for students with disabilities):

• UNI Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R52,000
• UNI Non-Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R52,000
• UNI Disability Transport: R52,000
• Other categories: Not applicable

Assistive Device Allowance (for students with disabilities)

• UNI Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R54,080
• UNI Non-Catered Disability (Metro & Non-Metro): R54,080
• UNI Disability Transport: R54,080
• Other categories: Not applicable

NSFAS 2nd Upfront Payment to Universities 2026

• NSFAS released the second upfront payment during the week of 3rd March 2026.
• This allowed universities to disburse March allowances to students by Friday, 07 March 2027.

Nsfas Payment to TVET College Students 2026

• Payment began on 07 March 2026, covering two months of allowances.
• Payment was made based on valid registrations received by NSFAS.
• As of 4th March 2026, 18 TVET colleges had uploaded student registration data.
• These colleges received the initial payments.

Nsfas Second Payment Run For Tvet College

• NSFAS planned a second payment run on Friday, 14 March 2026.
• The registration upload deadline for this batch was Monday, 10 March 2026.
• Goal: Ensure all eligible students whose registrations were uploaded by the deadline receive March allowances.

How Much Is The NSFAS Allowance Per Year For TVET College Students

Below are the NSFAS allowances given to TVET college students per year:

TVET Catered – Disability:

Metro:

• Accommodation: R69,633
• Personal Care: R3,167
• Assistive Device: R54,080

Non-Metro:

• Accommodation: R60,273
• Personal Care: R3,167
• Assistive Device: R54,080

TVET Catered (Without Disability):

Metro:

• Accommodation: R65,993
• Personal Care: R3,167

Non-Metro:

• Accommodation: R56,633
• Personal Care: R3,167

TVET Disability – Transport

• Living Allowance: R20,800
• Travel Allowance: R8,027
• Assistive Device: R54,080

TVET Non-Catered – Disability:

Metro:

• Accommodation: R52,000
• Living Allowance: R20,800
• Assistive Device: R54,080

Non-Metro:

• Accommodation: R42,640
• Living Allowance: R20,800
• Assistive Device: R54,080

TVET Non-Catered (Without Disability):

Metro:

• Accommodation: R52,000
• Living Allowance: R17,160

Non-Metro:

• Accommodation: R42,640
• Living Allowance: R17,160

TVET Transport Category:

• Living Allowance: R17,160
• Travel Allowance: R8,027

NSFAS Allowance Payment Dates 2026

These payments are made directly into the designated bank accounts of students or through alternative payment methods. 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

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 2025
• Cycle 10 – All Campuses (Final payment for 2026)  04 November 2026

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding in 2026?

• All South African citizens
• All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
• Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350,000 per annum
• A person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600,000 per annum
• Students who started studying before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122,000 per annum.

READ ALSO: How Is NSFAS Application 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

On average, students can receive between R60,000 to over R130,000 per year in combined allowances, including accommodation, living expenses, travel, personal care, and additional support for students with disabilities. Knowing how much NSFAS provides annually is essential for budgeting your academic year and making informed financial decisions. Visit the Official NSFAS webpage For More.

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