Did NSFAS increase allowances?

Student allowances are a major component of this support, covering living expenses like food, personal care, and accommodation.

Affordability is a significant concern for students, so any changes to NSFAS allowances can be a major point of focus.

How Much Did NSFAS Allowances Increase in 2024?

There was indeed an increase in NSFAS allowances for the 2024 academic year.

The most significant change applies to students enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

Their living allowance jumped from R6,000 per year in 2023 to R10,000 in 2024.

This represents a substantial 66.7% increase, aiming to achieve greater parity between TVET and university students.

For university students, the living allowance structure remained the same.

However, the overall amount did increase slightly due to adjustments for inflation.

The 2024 breakdown for university students is:

It’s important to remember that NSFAS allowances are not solely based on the type of institution.

Factors like your living situation and dependency status also play a role in determining the final amount you receive.

NSFAS introduced a capped accommodation allowance to ensure fairer distribution of funds.

The maximum allowance is R50,000 per year in metropolitan areas and R41,000 in other areas.

Students living in catered accommodation have a slightly higher capped allowance, reaching R66,500 in metros and R57,500 elsewhere.

Students can choose between a travel allowance or an accommodation allowance, not both.

This aims to prioritize students with genuine travel needs.

There’s no separate application process for the increased allowances.

As long as you’re a registered and funded NSFAS student for the 2024 academic year, you’ll automatically receive the adjusted amount.

The disbursement of NSFAS allowances typically begins in April for university students and March for TVET college students.

The exact timeline can vary slightly depending on your institution’s processing procedures.

It’s best to check with your institution’s financial aid office for the most up-to-date information.

The new allowance structure came into effect in April 2024, coinciding with the start of the 2024 academic year.

Students who qualified for NSFAS funding in 2024 received the increased allowances.

In addition to the living allowance, NSFAS offers various allowances to cater to specific needs. These include:

Accommodation Allowance: This allowance helps cover the cost of on-campus or private accommodation. The amount varies depending on your location and type of accommodation, with a cap set by NSFAS.
Travel Allowance: Students who live a certain distance from their institution can receive a travel allowance to cover commuting costs.
Book Allowance: A once-off allowance is provided to assist with purchasing essential learning materials.
Incidental Allowance: This allowance covers minor, unforeseen expenses students might encounter during their studies.

The exact amount of your NSFAS allowance will be communicated directly to you.

You can also access this information by logging into your NSFAS account on the official NSFAS website.

If you believe there might be an error with your NSFAS allowance, you should contact the NSFAS customer care center.

They can investigate the issue and ensure you’re receiving the correct amount according to your funding criteria.

There is currently no official information regarding potential NSFAS allowance increases for 2025.

The decision to adjust allowances involves government budgetary considerations and consultations with relevant stakeholders.