NSFAS payment schedule | NSFAS Payment Dates 2023. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was introduced in 1996 to encourage students from underprivileged backgrounds to afford higher education. This article takes you through all aspects of NSFAS payment schedule hoping to get you updated. The last time we checked, annual NSFAS applications were more than 750,000, that is the number of learners applying for funding every year.
NSFAS payment schedule | NSFAS Payment Dates 2023
The NSFAS is a bursary operating at a national level in South Africa, providing financial support for people entering tertiary education (colleges, universities, and vocational courses). The NSFAS is open for anyone who cannot afford such education through other means, such as regular student loans or bank funding.
NSFAS Payment Dates 2023
If you have been approved for NSFAS funding then first of all – congratulations! Secondly, you are likely to be wondering when you can expect to receive payments from NSFAS.
The NSFAS Payment Schedule for 2023 is likely to be the below (we will update this as soon as we have confirmation)
First Semester
Cycle 1 – Monday 27 February 2023
Cycle 2 – Monday 6 March 2023
Cycle 3 – Monday 3 April 2023
Cycle 4 – Monday 2 May 2023
Cycle 5 – Monday 5 June 2023
Second Semester
Cycle 6 – Monday 17 July 2023
Cycle 7 – Monday 7 August 2023
Cycle 8 – Monday 4 September 2023
Cycle 9 – Monday 2 October 2023
Cycle 10 – Monday 6 November 2023
NSFAS Allowance | How much does NSFAS pay to students?
The bursaries not only cover registration and tuition fees, but also make provision for other annual allowances.  In 2021, these allowances amount to:
- An Accommodation allowance depending on what is charged by the college or university (private accommodation costs cannot exceed costs of halls of residence or institution-provided hostels).
- A book allowance of R5,200.
- A living allowance of R15,000.
- A personal care allowance of R2,900.
- A Transport allowance of R7,500 (no further than 40km from the place of study).
Who qualifies to apply?
In order to apply for NSFAS online for 2023, you must be a South African citizen, have been accepted for an undergraduate qualification for the first time, and be able to prove an annual household income of no more than R350,000. It should be noted that meeting these criteria is not a guarantee of being accepted for the NSFAS.
