The University of South Africa (Unisa) has officially confirmed its NSFAS allowance payment plan for the first six months of 2025, providing clarity to thousands of students eager to know how much support they’ll receive this academic year. This announcement follows the Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s confirmation of a 4% increase in NSFAS allowances.
NSFAS continues to provide comprehensive financial aid — covering tuition, registration, and monthly allowances — to eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges.
How Much Are the 2025 NSFAS Allowances for Unisa Students?
NSFAS-funded students at Unisa receive allowances based on their course load, with support targeted toward learning materials and personal care. Here’s the breakdown for 2025:
Learning Materials Allowance (Once-Off)
- Standard allowance: R5,678
- Students with disabilities: R6,240
- Disbursement: Paid once at the start of the academic year
Personal Care Allowance (Monthly)
- Amount: R316 per month
- Duration: Paid over 10 months (February to November)
- Purpose: To assist with hygiene and personal care expenses
This means eligible students will receive NSFAS payments from February through November, in line with the standard NSFAS disbursement schedule of 10 monthly instalments.
How Will Unisa NSFAS Allowances Be Paid?
Unisa has confirmed that all NSFAS allowances in 2025 will be paid via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly into the student’s personal bank account.
“NSFAS allowances are paid by the institution via EFT into the student’s bank account,” Unisa stated.
This EFT system applies to all NSFAS-funded university students across South Africa’s public higher education institutions. Students are encouraged to ensure their banking details are accurate and updated with the university to avoid delays in payment.
What Students Should Do
To receive your 2025 NSFAS allowances on time:
Make sure your NSFAS funding is approved
Confirm your registration is complete at Unisa
Update your banking details with the institution
Track payments using your myNSFAS account and Unisa portal