Over 1.3 million students will receive R51 billion in funding in 2026. But delays, errors and unlinked bank accounts leave 15% waiting months. This 2026-updated guide breaks down every NSFAS allowance amount, payment schedules, eligibility rules, and setup steps to ensure your money flows smoothly from February 2026.
Whether you’re at a university (higher allowances) or TVET college (adjusted rates), get ready to budget like a pro.
NSFAS 2026 Allowance Breakdown: How Much Will You Get?
NSFAS covers 100% tuition (paid directly to institutions) + living allowances via monthly bank deposits. Amounts differ by institution type and location (e.g., urban vs. rural). Based on 2025 rates (2026 pending final gazette — expect 5% inflation adjustment).
University Students (Full-Time Undergrad)
| Allowance Type | Annual Amount | Monthly Breakdown | Notes |
|---|
| Accommodation | R45,000 | R3,750 | On-campus or approved off-campus |
| Living Allowance | R16,500 | R1,375 | Food, personal expenses |
| Transport | R7,500 – R12,600 | R625 – R1,050 | If >10km from campus; urban higher |
| Learning Materials | R12,000 | N/A (lump sum) | Books, stationery |
| Personal Care | R3,045 | R254 | Hygiene, laundry |
Total Potential: Up to R88,145/year (~R7,345/month)
TVET College Students (Full-Time)
| Allowance Type | Annual Amount | Monthly Breakdown | Notes |
|---|
| Accommodation | R24,000 | R2,000 | Hostel or approved residence |
| Living Allowance | R20,000 | R1,667 | Daily expenses |
| Transport | R3,000 – R7,500 | R250 – R625 | Distance-based |
| Learning Materials | R5,200 | N/A (lump sum) | Tools, books |
| Personal Care | R2,900 | R242 | Essentials |
Total Potential: Up to R59,600/year (~R4,967/month)
NSFAS 2026 Payment Schedule: When Does Money Hit Your Account?
Direct payments start after institution registration — no more NSFAS wallet delays. 10 monthly installments (February–November 2026).
University Schedule
| Month | Accommodation | Living | Transport | Total/Month |
|---|
| Feb 2026 | R3,750 | R1,375 | R1,050 | R6,175 |
| Mar–Nov | R3,750 | R1,375 | R1,050 | R6,175 |
| Learning Materials | R12,000 (Feb lump sum) | | | |
| Personal Care | R254 | | | |
TVET Schedule
| Month | Accommodation | Living | Transport | Total/Month |
|---|
| Mar 2026 | R2,000 | R1,667 | R625 | R4,292 |
| Apr–Dec | R2,000 | R1,667 | R625 | R4,292 |
| Learning Materials | R5,200 (Mar lump sum) | | | |
| Personal Care | R242 | | | |
2026 Update: Bi-weekly payments for transport (urban students).
How NSFAS Payments Work (2026 Direct System)
- Approval → Status: “Fully Funded”
- Registration → Institution confirms (Jan/Feb 2026)
- Bank Linking → Via myNSFAS (Bank Setup Guide)
- First Disbursement → Feb 15, 2026 (unis)
- Monthly Auto-Deposit → 25th of each month
Eligible Banks
- FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Absa, Capitec
- Student account only — no shared/parent accounts
Allowance Eligibility Rules (Who Gets What?)
| Allowance | Eligibility | Exclusions |
|---|
| Accommodation | Registered on-campus/off-campus | Self-catering students |
| Living | All full-time | Part-time/repeaters |
| Transport | >10km from campus | Campus residents |
| Books | Enrolled in program | Short courses |
2026 Payment Changes: What’s New?
| Update | Impact |
|---|
| No NSFAS Wallet | All direct to your bank |
| Inflation Adjustment | +5% on 2025 rates |
| Early Payments | Feb 1 for early registrants |
| App Tracking | Live balance via NSFAS App (Q1 2026) |
Common Payment Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|
| No payment | Unlinked bank | Link now |
| Wrong amount | Institution error | Contact bursar |
| Delayed | Verification | Check status (Status Guide) |
| Account frozen | Failed modules | Appeal (Appeals Guide) |
Budgeting Your NSFAS Allowance (Sample Monthly Plan)
| Expense | University Student (R6,175) | TVET Student (R4,292) |
|---|
| Rent/Food | R3,500 | R2,500 |
| Transport | R1,000 | R500 |
| Books/Phone | R500 | R300 |
| Savings | R1,175 | R992 |
Next Steps After Funding
- Link Bank → Direct Payments Guide
- Register → Institutions List
- Track Status → Status Meanings
- Appeal if Needed → Appeals Guide