NSFAS Trimester 3 Applications 2026: Deadline and Requirements

• R350,000 or less for most applicants; or

• R600,000 or less for an applicant with a disability.

NSFAS may verify income and family information against third-party records, including government and credit-information sources. Declared information must therefore be complete and accurate.

SASSA grant recipients

A qualifying SASSA recipient who is validated by NSFAS automatically satisfies the financial eligibility test. The 2026 policy specifically lists the Foster Care, Care Dependency and Child Support grants.

This does not mean funding is automatic in every respect. The applicant must still complete the application process, register for an approved programme and satisfy the applicable academic and institutional conditions. The Social Relief of Distress grant is not included in the policy definition used for this automatic financial test.

Academic requirements for continuing TVET students

First-time applicants must meet the entry requirements for their chosen programme. Different rules apply to students who are progressing through an existing qualification.

Under NSFAS’s 2026 policy:

• a non-first-time-entering TVET student must generally pass at least 70% of the modules or courses taken in the relevant year to remain eligible for the following academic year;

• an NC(V) student progressing to the next level must have passed at least five subjects at the previous level;

• a Report 191 student progressing to the next N-level must have passed at least three subjects at the previous level; and

• progression requirements for occupational programmes are determined by the TVET college and shared with NSFAS.

Continuing students who were funded in the immediately preceding academic term generally do not reapply annually, provided they remain eligible. Returning students who were not funded in the immediately preceding term, students who changed institution type, and students resuming after deregistering or dropping out may need to reapply.

If you are unsure whether this Trimester 3 window applies to you, check your myNSFAS account and ask your college’s financial-aid office before the deadline.

Documents needed for the application

NSFAS says applicants should have their ID number, proof of household income and college choice ready before starting. The exact upload list is generated according to the information entered in the application.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked for:

• your South African ID number or valid proof of permanent residence;

• ID details for your parent, guardian or spouse, where applicable;

• proof of household income, where NSFAS cannot verify it electronically;

• a completed and signed 2026 NSFAS Consent Form;

• a completed NSFAS Declaration Form if it applies to you;

• a completed Disability Annexure and supporting medical report if you have a disability;

• an Orphan or Vulnerable Child Declaration Form, where applicable;

• a death certificate for a deceased parent or guardian;

• a divorce decree, marriage certificate or proof of legal guardianship, where relevant; or

• a retrenchment letter or other evidence explaining a recent change in household income.

Use the forms linked on the official NSFAS application information page. Do not download application forms from unofficial websites.

How to apply for NSFAS Trimester 3 in 2026

Step 1: Open the official myNSFAS portal

Go directly to https://my.nsfas.org.za/. Check that the address ends in nsfas.org.za before entering personal information.

Step 2: Create or access your myNSFAS profile

New users should create a profile with their correct ID and contact details. If you already have an account, sign in instead of creating a duplicate profile.