The National Student Financial Aid Scheme continues to provide crucial funding for South African students from lower-income backgrounds. With the start of the academic year 2025, many student applicants wish to know the new NSFAS allowance structure and its values. These allowances go toward basic needs while students keep higher education at public universities and TVET colleges.
2025 Allowance Structure Overview
NSFAS has announced that in 2025, the allowance structure shall again emphasize the greatest needs of students: accommodation, meals, learning materials, and transport. Adjustments have been made to take account of inflation and cost-of-living increases. Once a student is approved for funding, they will continue receiving monthly payments to enable them to cover academic and living expenses.
Accommodation and Living Support
Students who live in approved university accommodation will continue to be supplied direct funding for their housing, payable to either the institution or landlord. Living at home will entail the disbursement of a living allowance to aid them with their day-to-day essentials. The average monthly living allowance in 2025 ranges from R1,650 to R2,000, depending on the type of institution attended and residence status.
Book and Learning Material Allowance
There will be an annual learning material allowance to help students buy textbooks, stationery, and other necessary supplies. It is usually granted at the beginning of the year in a lump sum. For the year 2025, the allowance remains around R5,200, but students have to use it strictly for academic-related purchases.
Meal and Transport Allowance
NSFAS still pays a meal allowance of around R1,500 per month to help students stay well nourished during their studies. Students residing more than 40 kilometers from campus and commuting thereto will receive a transport allowance of up to R750 per month to make their access to higher education easier.
Last Word
The 2025 NSFAS allowances have cushioned hundreds of thousands of South African students through much-needed financial support. By knowing the categories and amounts, beneficiaries will be able to budget for themselves and concentrate on their studies without undue stress about finances.
