The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, is an essential source of funding for many students across South Africa. However, the scheme’s financial support is reserved for selected courses and qualifications, with a few exceptions. This article will discuss courses and qualifications eligible for funding support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Which Courses Does NSFAS Fund?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, supports economically disadvantaged and needy students enrolled in studies at a public university or technical and vocational training education (TVET) college in South Africa. Eligible courses include options drawn from the following categories:
- Certificate qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework on Level 5 with qualifications equal to Higher Certificate or National Higher Certificate.
- Undergraduate qualifications that have been registered on the National Qualifications Framework on Level 6, 7, or 8 and are equal to Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or National Diploma
- Eligible courses approved by a TVET college and duly registered on the National Qualification Framework.
Students enrolled in honours, masters, doctorate, and postgraduate diploma certificate programs are excluded. Similarly, South African students registered for studies at a private university or technical and educational training (TVET) college are considered ineligible for funding.
Which courses does NSFAS not fund?
Applications for NSFAS funding for the 2027 academic year opened on 18 September 2026 and close on 31 October 2026. As of 22 October 2026, this application window is open. See the official NSFAS application guidance. Students enrolled in the following courses are barred from applying to the scheme:
- Postgraduate qualifications*
- Part-time studies
- Courses offered by private institutions of learning
- Additional undergraduate qualifications
- Short courses
*even though students enrolled for postgraduate qualifications are deemed ineligible for financial support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the scheme provides support for the following postgraduate courses:
- B Tech in Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
- B Tech in Biokinetics, Biomedical Technology, and Biotechnology
- B Tech in Chiropractic
- B Tech in Clinical Technology and Dental Technology
- B Tech in Emergency Medical Care
- B Tech in Engineering. Eligible subfields include Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, Metallurgy, and Refractories
- B Tech in Forestry
- B Tech in Homoeopathy
- B Tech in Nursing, Nursing Science, Community Nursing, Primary Healthcare or Occupational Nursing
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
- Bachelor of Laws/ LLB
Does NSFAS Fund Online Courses?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers funds for students enrolled in online courses as far as they are part of a full-time study program at a South African public university (the University of South Africa inclusive) or technical and vocational education training (TVET) college. Short courses administered online are ineligible for funding from NSFAS.
Does NSFAS pay for teaching courses?
Teaching courses are eligible for National Student Financial Aid funding support. These courses may be taken at a public university or TVET college in South Africa. These courses include Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degrees at the 26 public universities and more than 40 TVET colleges in South Africa. TVET college students can secure funding for teaching courses such as Education and Development National Certificate, Educare, and Early Childhood Development courses.
Which course does NSFAS fund in TVET colleges?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, offers to fund students enrolled for studies at any of the 50 technical and vocational education training (TVET) colleges in South Africa. Students receive support to cover registration and tuition fees, personal care allowance, transport allowance, and accommodation allowance. Eligible courses include the following:
- Engineering studies
- Engineering and Related Design
- Electrical Infrastructure
- Civil Engineering Construction
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Business and Utility Studies
- Management
- Marketing
- Finance
- Office Administration
- Economics
- Accounting
- Education and Development
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Safety in Society
- Transport and Logistics
- Pre-Learning Programs
What qualifications does NSFAS cover?
Qualifications covered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, are typically drawn from the following broad categories:
- Certificate qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework on Level 5 with qualifications equal to Higher Certificate or National Higher Certificate.
- Undergraduate qualifications that have been registered on the National Qualifications Framework on Level 6, 7, or 8 and are equal to Advanced Diploma, Diploma, or National Diploma
- Eligible courses approved by a TVET college and duly registered on the National Qualification Framework.
Will NSFAS Fund Me If I Change Both Institution And Courses?
Students who change institutions and courses after acquiring funding support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) can be sure of continued funding. However, it is worth stating that financial support may be discontinued if the student falls short of the eligibility requirements stipulated by the scheme.
How Will NSFAS Know If I Change My Course?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is only aware of course changes applicants perform upon notification by institutions where such individuals are enrolled for studies. The NSFAS gets notified through registration data submitted by an institution for a particular applicant.
