South African students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have received good news as another allowance payment cycle for the 2025 academic year has been confirmed, including a book allowance of R5,200 which many students will receive toward the end of the year.
The R5,200 figure is widely recognised as the standard book allowance allocated to NSFAS-funded students each academic year under the Department of Higher Education and Training’s guidelines. This yearly book support is meant to help students cover the cost of prescribed academic materials such as textbooks, study guides, stationery, and, in some cases, digital learning resources. In previous guideline breakdowns, the book allowance has been set at R5,200 annually for university students as part of the NSFAS support package.
Who Qualifies for the NSFAS Allowance?
To qualify for the R5,200 book allowance and other NSFAS financial support, students must meet several criteria:
NSFAS Funding Approval: Only students whose funding applications have been approved for the 2025 academic year are eligible. Applicants must have submitted their documentation on time and met all NSFAS requirements during the annual application period.
Registration at a Public Institution: The student must be fully registered at a public university or TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) college that participates in the NSFAS funding scheme.
Academic Progress Standards: Students must remain in good academic standing as set by NSFAS and their respective institutions. Continued eligibility often depends on course progression and module passes.
Household Income Criteria: NSFAS generally supports students from households with a combined annual income of R350,000 or less. For applicants with disabilities, the household threshold could be higher.
Importantly, students who have already completed a qualification or whose household income exceeds the eligibility threshold normally do not qualify for NSFAS allowances.
How Much Do Students Receive?
The R5,200 allowance predominantly refers to the book allowance component of NSFAS support. But NSFAS funding isn’t limited to books — students may also qualify for:
Living allowance
Accommodation allowance
Transport allowance
Personal care allowance
Assistive devices and human support (for students with disabilities)
The exact amount a student receives can vary based on residency status (whether they live on or off campus), travel needs, and individual circumstances. These allowances are capped annually, and institutions may not exceed these limits unless specifically approved by NSFAS.
When Does NSFAS Pay the Allowance?
Payment timelines for NSFAS allowances in 2025 have been based on a schedule tied to institutional registration and payment cycles. Generally:
NSFAS releases funds to institutions — universities and TVET colleges — once valid registration and banking details have been submitted.
Universities often handle disbursement to students after NSFAS transfers funds to them.
NSFAS itself has organized multiple payment runs throughout the year, covering living and book allowances.
There has also been reporting that NSFAS was rolling out specific allowance payments at different points — for example, allowances being disbursed directly into student accounts around scheduled dates, such as in previous cycles where NSFAS payments went through by set dates once processing was complete.
Also Read: South Africa’s New Electricity Laws 2026: Major Changes Every Household Needs to Know