Empowering South African Students: How NSFAS Covers Registration Fees:

NSFAS serves as an essential support system for South African students, helping them surmount financial obstacles and pursue higher education. By taking care of registration fees and various other necessary costs, NSFAS enables students to follow their aspirations and attain their academic objectives.

Gaining a thorough understanding of the NSFAS registration fee coverage process and actively preserving your eligibility for funding can contribute to a seamless educational experience. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is an important resource for South African students seeking financial assistance for higher education.

One of the key components of this assistance is the coverage of registration fees for eligible students. This article will explain how NSFAS pays the registration fees for students, helping to break down financial barriers to higher education.

Understanding NSFAS Funding

• NSFAS provides financial aid to qualifying South African students who are unable to fund their higher education due to financial constraints. This aid comes in the form of a bursary, which covers tuition fees, accommodation, living allowances, and other necessary expenses, including registration fees.

Read: How Nsfas Registration Works

Who Is Qualified For The Payments Of Registration Fee From Nsfas

The following are the people who are qualified to receive their registration fee from Nsfas in the year 2025/2026:

• 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.

How Much Does Nsfas Give As A Registration Fee

The amount that NSFAS provides for registration fees varies depending on the institution and the specific program in which the student is enrolled. Generally, NSFAS covers the full registration fee required by the institution, ensuring that eligible students can begin their studies without facing financial barriers.

It is essential to note that the registration fee is just one part of the comprehensive financial support provided by NSFAS. In addition to covering registration fees, NSFAS bursaries also cover for the following:

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:

• Accommodation
  As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7 500  per annum
• Living allowance R15, 000  per annum
• Book allowances R5200 per annum
• Incidental/personal care allowance of R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

TVET COLLEGE STUDENTS:

• Accommodation in an urban area is R24,000 per annum
• Accommodation in a peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
• Accommodation in a rural area is R15,750 per annum
• Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350  per annum
• Transport R7000 per annum
• Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

How Does Nsfas Pay Registration Fee In 2025/2026

The below points will explain how Nsfas pay for the registration fee;

Application and Approval Process:

• To have your registration fee covered by NSFAS, you must first apply for funding through the online application process. Once your application has been approved, NSFAS will work directly with your institution to cover your registration fees.

Direct Payment to Institutions:

• NSFAS pays the registration fees directly to the institutions on behalf of eligible students. This means that students do not have to worry about making payments themselves or waiting for reimbursements. The institution will receive the funds from NSFAS and allocate them accordingly to cover the student’s registration fees.

Confirmation of Registration:

• Once the registration fees have been paid, students must ensure that they have successfully registered for their chosen courses or programs at their institution. This step is crucial, as NSFAS funding is contingent on the student’s enrollment in an approved higher education institution.

Continuation of Funding:

• As long as students continue to meet the academic requirements and maintain their eligibility for NSFAS funding, the registration fees will be covered for each subsequent academic year.

Read Also: How Often Nsfas Registration Fees 2024/2025