NSFAS 2025

How To Apply For NSFAS 2026 With The Online Application Form

How To Apply For NSFAS 2026 With The Online Application Form

How To Submit Your NSFAS 2026 Application Using The Online Portal:

NSFAS offers financial aid to eligible South African students who cannot afford the cost of tertiary education. The application process is now fully digital, making it easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before. Starting from 21 November 2025, the NSFAS online application portal (myNSFAS) will open for the 2026 academic year and close on 31 January 2026. Applying within this window is important to get funding for tuition, accommodation, books, and transport.

If you are planning to study at a public university or TVET college in South Africa in 2026 and need financial support? The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is here to help. If you want to know how to apply for NSFAS 2026 using the online application form, this guide will walk you through every step to ensure your application is successful.

To apply online, you must first create a myNSFAS account at www.nsfas.org.za. Once registered, you will need to fill out the online application form, upload all required documents, including a certified copy of your ID, proof of income, and any relevant supporting forms, and submit them before the deadline. NSFAS will then review your application and notify you of the outcome via your online portal and SMS.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about the NSFAS 2026 online application form, including eligibility requirements, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to make the process smooth and stress-free.

NSFAS Application Dates 2026-2027

The online application will officially open on;

Application opening date: 21st November 2024
Application closing date: January 31, 2025

What Is The NSFAS Application Form 2026-2027

The NSFAS application form is the official form used by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), a South African government-funded program to evaluate and provide financial aid (bursaries or loans) to eligible students attending public universities or TVET colleges

What Information Is entailed In The NSFAS application Form For 2026-2027

The NSFAS application form collects detailed information to determine whether an applicant qualifies for financial aid for tertiary education in South Africa. Below is what the form includes:

Personal Information:

Full name and surname
South African ID number (or birth certificate for minors)
Date of birth
Gender and nationality
Contact details (phone number and email address)
Residential address and postal code

Academic Information:

Name of the institution (university or TVET college)
Current academic year or level
Student number (if already enrolled)
Course or program of study
Academic performance (if reapplying or continuing)

Household and Family Information:

Parents’/guardians’ full names and ID numbers
Relationship to applicant (mother, father, guardian)
Employment status of parents/guardians
Household income (combined annual income must be below a specific threshold, usually R350,000 for bursaries)
Number of people in the household
Whether any household members receive SASSA grants

Financial Information:

Declaration of household income
Employer information (if applicable)
Proof of income (payslips, affidavit, or unemployment letter)

Supporting Documents Required:

Certified copy of ID (applicant and parents/guardians)
Proof of income (for all household members)
Consent form (allowing NSFAS to verify income with third parties)
Academic transcript (for continuing students)
Disability Annexure A (if applicable)

Declaration and Consent:

Applicant must confirm that the information provided is true
Consent for NSFAS to verify information with SARS, Home Affairs, and institutions
Signature of applicant (or guardian if under 18)

How To Download The NSFAS Application Form For 2026-2027

The following are the steps in downloading the NSFAS application form for 2026-2027:

Visit the NSFAS Application portal at www.nsfas.org.za
locate the top right menu of the NSFAS homepage, click on the “myNSFAS” tab
Then, create a “myNSFAS Account” to continue the application
Download the forms in PDF format or continue filling out the forms online.
After completing all blank pages, click on the “APPLY” tab
Upload all the requested scanned copies of your supporting documents
Click on “Submit” to forward your applications to NSFAS online for evaluation

NSFAS Application Form Download For 2026-2027

Download the NSFAS application form for 2026-2027:

How To Use The NSFAS Application Form To Apply 2026-2027

Once you are done downloading the NSFAS application form:

Complete it offline:

Use a PDF editor/printer to fill out your personal, academic, household, and financial sections.
Write your South African ID number clearly on every page, both on the form and all attached documents, in the top right corner
Attach certified documents (ID, income proof, consent form) according to the instructions.

Submit the completed form and documents via one of the following:

In-person at your Financial Aid Office (FAO) at your institution or selected NYDA centres

Required supporting documents during the application process 2026

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

How To Apply For Online NSFAS 2026-2027

Follow the step-by-step guide below to apply online for NSFAS 2026-2027.

Step 1: Log onto www.nsfas.org.za
Step 2: Click on ‘register’
Step 3: Complete the required fields (ID number, cellphone number, and email address)
Step 4: Upload the required supporting documents, then click on ‘submit’.

NSFAS Application Supporting Documents 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

Applying for NSFAS funding for the 2026 academic year has never been easier, thanks to the fully digital application process. By using the NSFAS online application form, you can apply quickly and conveniently from anywhere with internet access. Just be sure to register on the myNSFAS portal, fill in all the required fields, upload your documents, and submit your application before the deadline of 31 January 2026. For more info, visit here