What are the NSFAS academic requirements for TVET and university? Before Applying for National Student Financial Aid Scheme(NSFAS) you need to Check if your Eligible for the fund ,Here on this article Contain NSFAS Academic Requirements.
Who is eligible?
Financial means test: The core requirement remains a household income test. Students from families with a combined gross income of R350,000 or less per year qualify for full financial aid. This threshold increases to R600,000 for a loan scheme aimed at the “missing middle.”
Academic progression: Maintaining good academic standing is crucial. Continuing and first-time university students must achieve a credit pass rate of 50% in 2024, rising to 60% for 2025 funding. Similar requirements apply to TVET college students.
NSFAS Applications Eligibility Criteria: Key changes
Focus on “missing middle”: A new loan scheme targets students from families earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year. This aims to expand access for those who wouldn’t qualify for full bursaries but still face financial constraints.
Gradual increase in academic requirements: The minimum pass rate for continued funding is rising incrementally to encourage academic progress.
NSFAS Academic Requirements for TVET Colleges
TVET colleges operate on a trimester or semester system, and NSFAS expects students to show steady academic progress.
Minimum Requirements for TVET Students:
- You must be registered full-time
- You must pass at least 50% of your modules (in most cases)
- You must show progression to the next level/semester/trimester
- You must complete your qualification within the allowed time (N+ rule applies)
Key Rule for TVET Students:
If you continuously fail modules or do not progress, NSFAS may:
- Suspend your funding
- Refuse future funding
- Require you to appeal before continuing support
NSFAS Academic Requirements for University Students
University students are also required to maintain academic progress, but the expectations are slightly stricter due to degree structures.
Minimum Requirements for University Students:
- You must be a full-time student
- You must pass at least 50% of your modules per academic year
- You must advance academically each year (no repeating multiple times without progress)
- You must complete your degree within the N+ rule limit





