The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that the majority of students who applied for NSFAS loans for the 2025 academic year are eligible for NSFAS bursaries. This change follows an extensive review of eligibility criteria, which has resulted in thousands of applicants qualifying for bursaries instead of loans.
2025 NSFAS Loan Applicants
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| NSFAS Bursaries | Available to students with a household income below R350,000 per year |
| NSFAS Loans | Available for students from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year |
| 2025 NSFAS Loan Applications | 17,517 applications received for the 2025 academic year |
| Current Status of Applications | 16,013 applicants qualify for bursaries, 1,504 still under review |
| Rejections | 1,487 rejections, with 104 applicants exceeding the R600,000 threshold |
| TVET College Applications | Final application window closed in January 2025 |
| Official Website | www.nsfas.org.za |
Overview of NSFAS Funding
NSFAS offers comprehensive funding to students in need, covering tuition, registration fees, and additional allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials. This funding is available to students enrolled in approved programs at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges across South Africa.
NSFAS Income Thresholds
- NSFAS Bursary Eligibility: Students from households earning R350,000 or less per year are eligible for NSFAS bursaries.
- NSFAS Loan Eligibility: Students from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year may qualify for an NSFAS loan.
2025 NSFAS Loan Applications Overview
For the 2025 academic year, NSFAS received 17,517 loan applications. These applications came from students who applied through both the official NSFAS application window and the NSFAS TVET College student application window.
Key Findings from the Review Process
- Bursary Eligibility: Of the total loan applications, 16,013 applicants had a household income below the R350,000 threshold and therefore automatically qualify for NSFAS bursaries.
- Loan Applicants: 1,504 applications are still under review as NSFAS continues to assess the remaining loan applications.
- Rejections: NSFAS rejected 1,487 applicants. Of these, 104 applicants exceeded the R600,000 income threshold, making them ineligible for NSFAS loans.
NSFAS TVET College Application Window
NSFAS continues to review applications received during the NSFAS TVET College student application window. This window allows students in TVET colleges to apply for funding, even if they begin their studies at different times throughout the academic year. The last application window closed in January 2025.
Ongoing Review of Applications
NSFAS is still in the process of evaluating applications for the 2025 academic year. The government funding body will continue to review all loan applications until funding decisions have been made for every applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the NSFAS bursary and who qualifies?
The NSFAS bursary provides funding for tuition, registration, and allowances for students whose household income is less than R350,000 per year. This is available to students enrolled in approved courses at public universities and TVET colleges.
2. What is the income threshold for an NSFAS loan?
Students with household incomes between R350,000 and R600,000 per year are eligible for an NSFAS loan, which will help with tuition and other educational expenses.
3. How does NSFAS determine who qualifies for a bursary?
NSFAS reviews applicants’ household incomes to determine eligibility. If the household income is under the bursary threshold (R350,000), the applicant will qualify for a bursary.
4. When does the NSFAS application window close?
The official application window for NSFAS closed earlier this year, but the TVET College application window remains open for students starting at different times of the academic year. The last window for 2025 closed in January 2025.
5. How long will NSFAS continue evaluating applications?
NSFAS will continue reviewing all applications until all funding decisions for the 2025 academic year have been made.
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