NSFAS Confirms Changes To Requirements & Allowances For 2023

NSFAS has announced changes to its eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid for 2023. Bursary recipients will be able to cover their academic expenses thanks to these amendments.

NSFAS Confirms Changes To Requirements & Allowances For 2023

As a way to ensure that students have enough funds for academic purposes, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) announced two major changes to its Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid for 2023.

South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Students who cannot afford the cost of their tertiary education can apply for NSFAS bursaries. The recent accommodation price cap has, however, raised concerns about the scheme. 

Some students have been forced to sleep on campus floors due to a lack of affordable housing, which has led to weeks of protests at a number of public universities. Accommodation price caps have not changed, but pass rate requirements and living allowances have been adjusted. 

NSFAS Board Chairperson Ernest Khosa’s recommendations were considered by Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education.

The amendments agreed upon include:

• University students are required to pass with a 50% pass rate in 2023.
• There will be an increase in living allowances from R15 750 (including personal care – R3 045) to R16 500 (including personal care – R3 045).

NSFAS’s bursary scheme concluded in a Twitter statement that this is an important milestone in ensuring students are adequately funded for academic purposes. NSFAS must ensure that they can accommodate this allowance increase within their existing allocations.