What is the NSFAS limit?

NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is a government-funded scheme that provides financial assistance to undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who want to pursue higher education in South Africa. NSFAS covers the cost of tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and learning materials for eligible students. However, NSFAS has some limitations and conditions that students need to be aware of before applying. In this article, we will explain what the NSFAS limit is and how it affects students.

The NSFAS income limit

The first limitation that NSFAS imposes is the income limit. This means that only students who come from households with a combined direct gross income of up to R350 000 per annum can qualify for NSFAS funding. This income limit is based on the means test that NSFAS conducts to determine the financial need of each applicant. The means test requires the consent of the applicant and their parents/legal guardians/spouse for NSFAS to verify their household income.

However, there are some exceptions to the income limit. Students who are from families that receive child support grants or disability grants from SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) do not have to undergo a means test and automatically qualify for NSFAS funding. Similarly, students who attended Quintile 1, 2, or 3 schools, which are the poorest schools in the country, also automatically qualify for NSFAS funding without a means test.

The NSFAS academic limit

The second limitation that NSFAS imposes is the academic limit. This means that only students who meet the academic requirements of their chosen qualification and institution can qualify for NSFAS funding. NSFAS only funds approved qualifications that are registered on the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) or the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). These include undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates offered by public universities and TVET colleges.

Additionally, NSFAS only funds students who meet the minimum admission requirements of their chosen institution and programme. These requirements may vary depending on the institution, faculty, and course. Students can check the admission requirements on the websites of their preferred institutions or contact them directly for more information.

Furthermore, NSFAS only funds students who maintain satisfactory academic performance throughout their studies. This means that students must pass at least 50% of their courses in each academic year to continue receiving NSFAS funding. If students fail to meet this requirement, they may lose their funding or be placed on academic probation. Students who are on academic probation must improve their results in the following year or face termination of their funding.

The NSFAS funding limit

The third limitation that NSFAS imposes is the funding limit. This means that NSFAS only covers the cost of study up to a certain amount per student per year. The funding limit depends on the type and level of the qualification, the institution, and the cost of study. NSFAS determines the funding limit based on the actual cost of study or the maximum capped amount, whichever is lower.

The actual cost of study is the amount that the institution charges for tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and learning materials. The maximum capped amount is the amount that NSFAS sets as the upper limit for each cost category. For example, the maximum capped amount for tuition fees for university students in 2024 is R87 000, while the maximum capped amount for accommodation fees for TVET college students in 2024 is R24 000.

NSFAS also differentiates the funding limit between metro and non-metro areas, as well as between institution-owned, institution-leased, and private accommodation. For instance, the maximum capped amount for accommodation fees for university students in metro areas in 2024 is R50 000, while the maximum capped amount for accommodation fees for university students in non-metro areas in 2024 is R41 000.

NSFAS also offers different types of allowances for different categories of students. For example, university students receive a living allowance of R16 500 and a learning material allowance of R5 460 per year, while TVET college students receive a living allowance of R10 000 and a transport allowance of up to R7 875 per year. Students who are enrolled in distance education programmes also receive a personal care allowance of R3 045 and a learning material allowance of up to R5 460 per year.

Conclusion

NSFAS is a valuable scheme that enables many students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education in South Africa. However, NSFAS has some limitations and conditions that students need to be aware of before applying. These include the income limit, the academic limit, and the funding limit. Students who meet these criteria and comply with the NSFAS rules and regulations can benefit from the financial support that NSFAS provides.