NSFAS Transport Allowance for 2025
In this article, we offer a detailed overview of the NSFAS transport allowance for the 2025 academic year. If you are a student in South Africa living at home or arranging your own accommodation, this information will be highly beneficial to you.
The NSFAS transport allowance is a financial aid component designed to assist students who do not stay in university-provided accommodation or private residences but need to commute to and from their institution daily.
This allowance ensures that students can afford public transport costs, making higher education more accessible to those living within a reasonable commuting distance.
NSFAS Transport Allowance Amount for 2025
The amount allocated for the NSFAS transport allowance varies each year based on government funding and policy updates. In 2025, the transport allowance is R7,500 per annum which is distributed in monthly instalments.
- The NSFAS Monthly Transport Allowance in 2025 is R750 for university students
- The NSFAS Monthly Transport Allowance in 2025 is R735 for TVET College students
The NSFAS monthly transport allowance will be deposited into the accounts of students who qualify. Remember not all students qualify for this allowance, as a majority of students do not necessarily have to take a transport to go the university or TVET college campus.
What is NSFAS
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government bursary and loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible students who want to study at public universities and TVET colleges. It is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and aims to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
What Makes NSFAS Unique?
Unlike traditional student loans, NSFAS is now a bursary for most students, meaning they do not have to repay the funding—unless they fail their studies or do not complete their qualification.
Key Benefits Beyond Tuition Coverage
- Meal Allowance
- Accommodation
- Transport Allowance
- Learning Materials & Devices
How to Apply for the NSFAS Transport Allowance in 2025
Students who have already applied and been approved for NSFAS funding do not need to submit a separate application for the transport allowance. However, they should ensure their accommodation details are correctly updated in their NSFAS application.
New students who have not applied for NSFAS for the 2025 academic year do not qualify for the NSFAS funding including the monthly transport allowance. Students need to apply for other bursaries for 2025 to fund their studies. If they want to be funded by NSFAS they need to submit their 2026 applications around September 2025.
When the NSFAS application cycle open again for 2026, they will need to follow these easy steps to apply:
- Visit the NSFAS website and create an account.
- Complete the NSFAS online application form
- Attach the required documents
- Submit your NSFAS application before the deadline
NB: When approved you will then receive your monthly transport allowance for the 2026 academic year if you meet requirements of receiving the transport allowance.
Final Thoughts
Only students who stay at home or have arranged own accommodation that is not accredited by NSFAS qualify for the NSFAS monthly transport allowance. These students should be registered with their desired institutions and meet the distance requirements.
For TVET college students, they should stay within 40km from the campus while university students should live within 10km from the university campus.
The NSFAS transport allowance for 2025 continues to be a vital support mechanism for students who need financial aid to cover commuting costs. For more updates on NSFAS and student funding, keep an eye on our blog for the latest news.
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