How to register for an NSFAS wallet account

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial assistance to South African students pursuing higher education.

For some qualifying students, NSFAS disburses allowances directly into an NSFAS Wallet.

This secure digital wallet allows you to manage your student funds conveniently.

This guide will explain how to register for an NSFAS Wallet account and utilize its features.

What is an NSFAS Wallet?

An NSFAS Wallet is a mobile money account managed by Celbux.

NSFAS deposits your allocated funds into this account, allowing you to make purchases, pay bills, and withdraw cash at participating merchants.

NSFAS will create an NSFAS Wallet for you if:

NSFAS will initiate your NSFAS Wallet upon your funding approval. Here’s how to activate it:

Welcome SMS: You will receive a welcome SMS from NSFAS Wallet upon account creation.
Verify Your Account: Dial 120176# on your registered cellphone and follow the prompts. Enter your South African ID number when prompted.
Set Up Your Password: The system will send a temporary password via SMS. Use this password to create a secure and memorable password for future transactions. Remember, this password is crucial for accessing your funds. Treat it with the same caution you would treat your bank PIN.
Upon first login using the temporary password on Celbux.appspot.com, consider changing it to a more complex one.
Do not share your password: Never share your password with anyone, including friends, family, or strangers.
Enable additional security features: If available, explore additional security features offered by NSFAS Wallet, such as fingerprint or PIN verification for transactions.

Once your account is activated, you can access your NSFAS Wallet through two methods:

USSD Code: Dial 134176# on your registered cellphone and follow the prompts.
Celbux App: Login to the Celbux app (available on Google Play) using your ID number and password.

These are what you can do with your NSFAS Wallet:

Check Balance: View your current available balance in your wallet.
Make Purchases: Pay for in-store purchases at participating merchants displaying the NSFAS Wallet logo. Transactions at these stores occur easily without any fees.
Withdraw Cash: Withdraw cash at participating ATMs and retailers like Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and select Spar stores. Be mindful of daily withdrawal limits set by these merchants.
Generate Cash Vouchers: You can generate a cash voucher through the USSD code or app, allowing you to withdraw cash at participating retailers.

If you haven’t received a welcome SMS after a reasonable timeframe, contact NSFAS directly.

You can reach them via their toll-free hotline at 0800 067 323 or email them at info@nsfas.org.

No. NSFAS creates your NSFAS Wallet upon your funding approval. You cannot register for one yourself.

If you lose your phone, contact your cellular network provider immediately to block your SIM card.

This prevents unauthorized access to your NSFAS Wallet.

Once you have a new SIM card, contact NSFAS to update your registered phone number.

There are no fees for making purchases at participating NSFAS Wallet merchants.

However, cash withdrawal fees may apply depending on the chosen withdrawal method (ATM or retailer).

Currently, the functionality to transfer money directly from your NSFAS Wallet to another account is not available.

If you forget your NSFAS Wallet password, dial 134176# and follow the prompts to reset it.

You will likely be required to enter your ID number to initiate the password reset process.