The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) has helped millions of students achieve their dreams of pursuing their studies. The Higher Education Minister has touched on an important matter regarding the allowances that students receive.
As part of the criteria for the government funding, Nsfas provides funding to students who come from low income households and are not able to fund their education.
Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande announced:
I must also emphasise that Nsfas is not a social grant, but an education grant meant for educational purposes and nothing else, and it must be used only for such purposes.
The government funding covers tuition fees (including registration), personal care, transport, and accommodation allowances.
University Allowances:
Accommodation: As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)
Transport (up to 40 km from institution): R7 500 per annum
Living allowance: R15 000 per annum
Book allowance: R5 200 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance: R2 900 per annum for students in catered residences
TVET College allowances:
Accommodation in an urban area: R24 000 per annum
Accommodation in an peri-urban area: R18 900 per annum
Accommodation in an rural area: R15 750 per annum
Transport (up to 40 km from institution): R7 350 per annum
Transport: R7 000 per annum
Incidental/personal care allowance: R2900 per annum
According to Nzimande, a total of R47.3 billion was allocated to Nsfas by the Department of Higher Education and Training for the 2022 academic year. This funding is expected to cover both TVET colleges and the public University students that qualified to be funded for 2022.
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