The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirmed the allowance payment dates for the 2025 academic year at the start of the year. These NSFAS allowance payments dates are subject to institutions submitting student registration data. This means that once the institution has confirmed that the student is registered, they should start to receive their allowances.
NSFAS Allowance for August 2025
The NSFAS allowance payment date for August 2025 has not changed and will still be paid as advertised. Details are shown below on the calendar.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This funding covers tuition and registration fees. Students also receive several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
The financial aid scheme already paid billions of rands to institutions of higher education in upfront payments for the academic year. These payments covered tuition fees, registration fees and book allowances.
However, NSFAS funding is provided to students for the entirety of the academic year. This funding includes monthly allowance payments for several living costs.
NSFAS confirmed when allowances will be paid to students throughout the 2025 academic year.
It's important to note that NSFAS will only release funding for students with valid registration data. This data must be submitted to institutions before the monthly exclusion cut-off dates stipulated by NSFAS.
NSFAS urged institutions to submit registration data before cut-off dates to prevent allowance payment delays.
Institutions are strongly encouraged to submit their registration data to avoid delayed payment of allowances.
NSFAS also confirmed that institutions can submit data regarding cancellations, blocks, and other instructions related to student funding.
NSFAS Allowance Payment Dates For 2025
|
Instalment Number |
Exclusions Cut-off Date |
Payment Date |
Academic Cycle |
|
1 |
10-Jan-25 |
Upfront |
Accommodation, Books & Tuition |
|
2 |
05-Mar-25 |
Upfront |
Accommodation, Books & Tuition |
|
3 |
14-Mar-25 |
31-Mar-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
4 |
16-Apr-25 |
30-Apr-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
5 |
15-May-25 |
30-May-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
6 |
13-Jun-25 |
30-Jun-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
7 |
15-Jul-25 |
31-Jul-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
8 |
15-Aug-25 |
29-Aug-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
9 |
15-Sep-25 |
30-Sep-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
10 |
15-Oct-25 |
31-Oct-25 |
Annual and Semester |
|
11 |
14-Nov-25 |
28-Nov-25 |
Annual and Semester |





