NSFAS Payouts Increase – Students to Receive More with Zero Repayment

Published on: May 1, 2025

Good news for South African students—NSFAS has confirmed a major allowance increase starting in May 2025. For thousands of financially challenged learners, this means more support without the burden of repayment.

Whether you’re at a public university or a TVET college, these boosted NSFAS payments are set to make a real difference in your academic life.

Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the NSFAS May 2025 boost—who qualifies, what’s changing, and how to make sure you get your share.

Overview

The May 2025 boost is part of a broader government initiative aimed at easing the financial stress many students face. Through collaboration between NSFAS, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and student groups, this increase is now official.

The updated structure improves allowances for living costs, accommodation, transport, books, and more. And here’s the best part—it’s non-repayable.

Recipients

So, who gets this boost? If you’re already receiving NSFAS support, you’re likely covered. The updated allowances apply to university and TVET college students, provided they meet the eligibility rules.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be a South African citizen
Household income must be below R350,000 per year (or R600,000 if disabled)
Enrolled at a public university or TVET college
Must show academic progress
No overlap with other government funding

University

Here’s what university students can expect in terms of monthly allowance increases starting May 2025:

Allowance Type	April 2025	May 2025	Increase
Living Allowance	R1,650	R2,000	R350
Transport Allowance	R750	R900	R150
Book Allowance	R433	R500	R67
Personal Care	R320	R400	R80
Accommodation (Urban)	R4,500	R5,200	R700
Accommodation (Rural)	R3,800	R4,500	R700
Meals/Incidental	R600	R750	R150

This means university students can expect up to R700 more per month depending on their housing and location.

TVET

TVET students are also getting a meaningful uplift:

Allowance Type	April 2025	May 2025	Increase
Living Allowance	R1,200	R1,500	R300
Transport Allowance	R700	R850	R150
Accommodation (Campus)	R2,800	R3,300	R500
Meals Allowance	R500	R700	R200
Learning Materials	R400	R500	R100
Incidental Funds	R300	R400	R100
Laptop Allowance	R5,200 (once)	Unchanged	–

It’s clear the goal is to help TVET learners cover more of their real-world expenses so they can stay focused on their studies.

Timeline

NSFAS has already mapped out the payment schedule:

10 May 2025 – First disbursements begin
15 May 2025 – NSFAS Mastercard holders receive payment
20 May 2025 – Final round of payments
Payments reflect within 24–48 hours after transfer

Make sure your details are correct—especially your banking info—to avoid unnecessary delays.

Delays

If your payment hasn’t come through by 25 May, there may be issues such as:

Bank verification not completed
Your institution hasn’t confirmed your registration
Delays on the institution’s finance team side

Contact NSFAS or your campus financial aid office if this happens.

Tracking

Want to check your payment status? NSFAS has made that easy too.

How to Track

Visit www.nsfas.org.za
Click “myNSFAS”
Log in with your details
Click on “Track Funding Progress”
Check your payment and disbursement history

Important: Keep your phone number and bank details updated in your profile.

Mastercard Users

If you have the new NSFAS Mastercard, just open your Tenet Technology or Coinvest app, and check your dashboard for incoming payments.

The NSFAS May 2025 boost brings real relief where it’s needed most. With higher monthly payments, improved support for housing, meals, books, and transport, this new structure gives you a better shot at finishing your studies strong—without worrying as much about money.

Remember, these are grants—not loans—so make sure you’re up to date with your NSFAS portal, and take full advantage of this support.