NSFAS pays different amounts depending on the following:

• If you live at home, NSFAS gives you a transport allowance of (up to 40 km from the institution) R7 500 once per year.
• If you are staying at an accredited off-campus student residence, NSFAS will pay the residence fees, but they have a maximum cap of R45,000 per year (introduced in 2023; this amount is dependent on the university you are studying at). And they also pay you a meal and book allowance of R5460 for the book allowance and R16500 per year (paid as R1650 per month). This also applies when living with a relative.

To see more information on NSFAS allowances and allowances for TVET colleges, please click here.