The Department of Higher Education and Training funds the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to help students from poor family backgrounds pursue their studies at tertiary institutions. NSFAS funds 50 TVET colleges across South Africa, and they are situated in different provinces. Here are the colleges funded by NSFAS in Pretoria.
Which Colleges Does NSFAS Fund in Pretoria?
NSFAS funds eight TVET colleges together with their campuses in Pretoria and surrounding areas. The colleges include the following:
- Western TVET College.
- Tshwane South TVET College.
- Tshwane North TVET College.
- South West Gauteng TVET College.
- Sedibeng TVET College.
- Ekurhuleni West TVET College.
- Ekurhuleni East TVET College.
- Central Johannesburg TVET College.
These colleges offer various technical, vocational, and training education to equip the students with the skills they can apply in different sectors. The courses offered by these colleges are recognized by SAQA.
Which Colleges Does NSFAS Pay For?
There are 50 TVET colleges funded by NSFAS across South Africa. The following are the colleges found in each province.
Gauteng TVET Colleges
- Ekurhuleni East TVET College
- Central Johannesburg TVET College
- Ekurhuleni West TVET college
- South West Gauteng TVET College
- Sedibeng TVET College
- Tshwane North TVET College
- Tshwane South TVET College
- Western TVET College
KwaZulu-Natal TVET Colleges funded by NSFAS
- Elangeni TVET College
- Coastal TVET College
- Esayidi TVET College
- Mnambithi TVET College
- Majuba TVET College
- Thekwini TVET College
- Mthashana TVET College
- Umfolozi TVET College
- Umgungundlovu TVET College
Western Cape TVET Colleges Funded by NSFAS
- Boland TVET College
- College of Cape Town
- False Bay College
- Northlink TVET College
- West Coast TVET College
- South Cape TVET College
Eastern Cape TVET Colleges
- Buffalo City TVET College
- Ikhala TVET College
- Eastcape Midlands TVET College
- King Hintsa TVET College
- Ingwe TVET College
- Lovedale TVET College
- King Sabata Dalindyebo
- Port Elizabeth TVET College
Free State TVET Colleges
- Maluti TVET College
- Goldfields TVET College
- Flavius Mareka TVET College
- Motheo TVET College
Limpopo TVET Colleges
- Lephalale TVET College
- Capricorn TVET College
- Letaba TVET College
- Vhembe TVET College
- Mopani South East TVET College
- Sekhukhune TVET College
- Waterberg TVET College
Mpumalanga TVET Colleges
- Ehlanzeni TVET College
- Nkangala TVET College
- Gert Sibande TVET College
Northern Cape TVET Colleges
- Northern Cape Urban TVET College
- Northern Cape Rural TVET College
North West TVET Colleges
- Vuselela TVET College
- Taletso TVET College
- Orbit TVET College
If you want to apply for NSFAS funding, you must identify the college you need to attend in your province or any place of your choice. Check if the college offers the course you want to study and do some research to identify other factors that can influence the outcome of your application.
Most TVET Colleges require applicants to have good passes in Grades 7 and above. Some of these colleges are situated in urban areas, while others are in peri-urban and rural areas. The type of college you attend and the accommodation you get will influence your NSFAS allowances
Which Private College is Funded by NSFAS?
NSFAS does not fund private colleges since these are more expensive than public institutions of higher learning. One of the reasons for the high costs at private colleges is that they offer high-quality education, and they often target students from affluent families. These institutions also have better learning facilities and often enroll a limited number of students compared to TVET colleges.
On the other hand, TVET colleges are meant for students who come from poor family backgrounds and cannot afford higher education. These individuals have the potential to excel in their academic studies but lack funding. This is when NSFAS comes in handy to provide financial assistance to the needy.
To qualify for NSFAS funding, you must be a South African citizen with an identity document. Your combined household income must also be less than R300 000 or R600 000 for disabled students. Recipients of SASSA grants also qualify to get NSFAS funding since this is proof that they come from poor backgrounds.
When you apply for an NSFAS bursary, make sure you provide all the necessary documents and avoid late submissions. If you intend to study at a private college, make sure you will pay for your education out of pocket because NSFAS does not cover these institutions.
Which TVET Colleges are Open for 2026 in Pretoria?
NSFAS applications for 2026 closed on 31 January 2026, and late applications are not accepted. NSFAS usually receives hundreds of thousands of applicants, so it has indicated that late submissions are rejected. However, TVET offers trimester applications, which are only open for short periods.
Online applications for NSFAS for the 2026 academic year are still open and will close on 30 September at Tshwane North TVET College. Tshwane North College is in Gauteng and consists of six campuses: Pretoria, Mamelodi, Rosslyn, Tembe, Soshanguve South, and Soshanguve North.
NSFAS funds eight TVET colleges in Pretoria and has campuses in different areas. Unfortunately, NSFAS does not fund private colleges since it provides funding to students from poor family backgrounds. To qualify for NSFAS funding, ensure you meet all the requirements and provide relevant details.
