Rating based on 76 reviews

NSFAS

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  • Effective Financial Aid
  • Fund your education
  • Track your application
NSFAS homepage
Author NSFAS. Screenshot of NSFAS website.
[Accessed December 12, 2022]

About NSFAS

The best student loans for students who deserve the best.

Being one of the major financial credit providers, NSFAS must comply with the regulations of the National Credit Regulator. They offer the best student loans. Seeing that education is such an important factor in the lives of South Africans, they thought it was fit to introduce an initiative that is available for student loans and bursaries.

Student loans for everyone

This program is run by government administration and is purposefully driven to uplift deserving and underprivileged students. Any student is welcome to apply for a student loan whether you be a first-year student or not.

Every higher education institution has a student that has an NSFAS student loan which is why they partner with everybody. They make sure that they are in reach of every student in need.

They have come a long way

When they started this education plan, they never thought they would come so far. It gives them great pleasure to know that they are partnered with students who believe in themselves and their dreams.

Get the future you deserve

They ensure that you are given the opportunity through their student loans to achieve your academic goals and dreams. NSFAS believes in you, your future, and everything that promotes your growth.

After you graduate, you are liable to pay for all the years you were sponsored by NSFAS student loans. The repayment terms are to be communicated to you after the years you were financially supported.

NSFAS Services

After you get this student loan to cover all study costs such as books, fees, and accommodation, you are only liable to repay the loan after you have received your bursary and graduated.

Furthermore, this can only be possible if you work but if you are still unemployed, your student loan repayment hasn’t started. Once you are employed NSFAS will send you documentation regarding repayment.

Get good grades

It is probably a rare case scenario that you would find student loans that meet you halfway financially as well. NSFAS however goes the extra mile for you, with a student loan that will cover everything you need.

If you do exceptionally well, 40% of your debt could be converted into a bursary which means you are not eligible to pay back the student loan. To save yourself money when you're employed you should study hard.

Lowest interest rates

The reason they have low charges on their loans is the main purpose of ensuring that a lot of customers qualify for this great academic offer. The more students they can help the better. The cost of a university education is high and seems to be getting even higher.

NSFAS is still making students realize that the dream of finding a credit provider that will pay for their studies, is still a reality and quite possible. Do not keep your future dreams and aspirations waiting. Apply for your student loan today.

NSFAS – Student loan

  • Loan Type Student loans

Benefits of NSFAS

  • Provision of finance to poor and working-class families
  • Funding for higher education
  • Simple application process

Student loan calculator

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The interest rate of a loan will vary based on your credit score and risk profile.
This student loan calculator is for illustration purposes only.
The use of this loan calculator is subject to our terms of use.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme will help you reach your full potential

They want to help every qualifying student but they can’t reach out to each and everyone who needs student loans and bursaries

Therefore, they try their level best to reach out to as many people as they can. NSFAS also knows how difficult it is to sometimes get a student loan from a private broker. This is why they are there for you. They are there to hold your hand until you can walk on your own.

Some requirements for applying

  • You must be a South African citizen.
  • You must be studying or have plans to study soon.
  • You must have no completed qualifications.

The winner takes all-academic tests

There is an aptitude test that they have in place for students who need an NSFAS student loan. This is just done to ensure that an individual is academically strengthened to choose a career field.

Furthermore, it is good to know that the students are also equipped for a greater future. Being financially stable while studying will help you to have the confidence and independence you deserve. This is made possible through a student loan.

Paying off your loan

Unlike most student loans, you only start paying off your loan after you have found yourself a job that pays you a certain amount of money. They don’t want to see that you are bankrupt due to the student loan that they are taking from your salary. NSFAS wants to help you grow and be successful but it's up to you to take the first step and apply.

It is for this reason that they only want you to earn a certain portion of the amount first before they can grant your repayment process a success. They are not monsters, after all, they also want to see that you are making the most with what you have and are living a life that you have always dreamt of living.

A student loan from NSFAS can save you

The thing about student loans is that there are only a set number of spots open for students to apply. The better you are academically the better the outcome of your student loan application may look. All the best, Go on! Apply now!

man holding thumbs up

NSFAS is a trusted & reliable provider of student loans

In our review, NSFAS adheres to the compliance criteria in accordance with the National Credit Act, where the granting the loan will not cause financial distress to the consumer.

✅ NSFAS is a registered credit provider in South Africa: NCRCP2655

Customer Reviews & Testimonials

March 2021

I always wanted to become an educator but a lack of finance made it impossible for me to start studying immediately after school. I then started working jobs at restaurants to save up, until NSFA...

Lilly W
— Cape Town —

June 2021

Many people take what they have for granted and with NSFAS I learned that you need to perform well to keep the door open for yourself. Today I am a full-time nurse.

Thomas S
— Port Elizabeth —

June 2021

The NSFAS online portal is very helpful and convenient. I applied and sent my documents through to them without a fuss or having to be up and down. They took it over from there and I've been bles...

Yonela M
— George —

NSFAS Contact

Physical Address

  • House Vincent 2nd Floor, 7700, 10 Brodie Rd Cape Town Wynberg 7800 South Africa
  • Get Directions

Postal Address

  • Private Bag X1, Plumstead, 7801, South Africa

Opening Hours

  • Monday 08:00 – 17:30
  • Tuesday 08:00 – 17:30
  • Wednesday 08:00 – 17:30
  • Thursday 08:00 – 17:30
  • Friday 09:00 – 17:30
  • Saturday 09:30 – 13:00
  • Sunday – Closed