Are you a South African citizen? Do you wish to study or are already studying at a public university or TVET college but come from a family with an income of R350,000 or less per annum, then apply for NSFAS. The online application window for NSFAS will open for the 2026/2027 academic year from the 1st of September 2025, and the application will close on the 31st of January 2026.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) plays an essential role in supporting South African students who require financial assistance to access higher education. To ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity, it’s important to be aware of the NSFAS application closing date for the 2026/2027 academic year. This article will provide essential information about the deadline and guide you through the application process to help you submit your application on time.

NSFAS Application Closing Date for 2026/2027

If you have gained admission into any of the South African public universities and TVET colleges and wish to apply for financial assistance, then apply for NSFAS.

• The Nsfas online application window for the 2026/2027 academic year will be open from the 1st of september 2025 and
• The application for NSFAS 2026 will close on the 31st of January 2026.

Applicants must bear in mind that NSFAS will not accept late applications; it will be necessary to apply while the applications are still open.

Read: Nsfas Online Application 2026/2027 Closing Date

Who Is Qualified For Nsfas 2025/2026

The following are the people who are qualified to receive funds from Nsfas:

• 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 2020 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum.

Documents Needed During Nsfas Online Application 2026/2027

Applicants are expected to upload the following documents together with their application forms before submission:

• Certified copy of your South African ID or unabridged birth certificate (if you do not have an ID). If you are not a South African citizen but have a permanent residence permit, provide a certified copy of your passport and the permit.
• Certified ID copies of parents, guardians, or spouses, as applicable.
• Proof of income for your parents, legal guardian, or spouse. This can include recent payslips (not older than three months), pension slips, or affidavits if they are unemployed or informally employed.
• A signed and completed consent form, which allows NSFAS to verify your household income with third-party sources. The form can be downloaded from the NSFAS website.
• Applicants with a disability must submit a completed Disability Annexure A Form, which can also be downloaded from the NSFAS website.
• Proof of residence, such as a utility bill, rental agreement, or an affidavit if living in informal housing.
• Certified copy of your latest academic transcript or Grade 12 certificate (if you are a first-time applicant). If you are currently in Grade 12, provide your latest results or Grade 11 final results.
• Affidavits if you are an orphan or have no contact with your parents or guardian.
• For returning students, submit a certified copy of your latest academic records, showing that you have passed at least 50% of your courses in the previous year.

Nsfas Application Process Before Closing Date 2026/2027

To submit your NSFAS application in time for the 2026/2027 academic year, follow these steps:

Prepare your documents:

• Gather all the required supporting documents, including certified copies of your ID, academic records, and proof of income for your parents, guardian, or spouse. Ensuring you have these documents ready will make the application process smoother.

Register for an NSFAS account:

• Visit the NSFAS Self-Service portal at https://my.nsfas.org.za/ and register for an account using your personal information, including your ID number, email address, and mobile number. If you already have an account, log in using your existing credentials.

Complete the application:

• Once you’ve registered or logged in, navigate to the application section and fill in the required information, such as your details, academic history, and income information. Upload the necessary supporting documents.

Submit your application:

• Review your application for accuracy and completeness, then submit it before the closing date. You will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application.

Track your application status:

• Keep an eye on your application progress by regularly logging in to the NSFAS Self-Service portal and checking the status of your application.

Nsfas Contact Details

By staying informed and following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure your application is submitted on time and improve your chances of securing the funding you need for your studies. Hope The information given above has been useful to you. If you have any suggestions, kindly leave them in the comments section provided below. You can also visit the official website of Nsfas for more clarification.

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