Please click here to access the NSFAS website

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a loan(pre 2018) and bursary scheme operating in terms of Act 56 of 99 and funded by the National Department of Education. WITS DOES NOT ADMINISTER THE SCHEME.

NB: STUDENTS NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY READ AND UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ALL THE BURSARY CONTRACTS THAT THEY SIGN I.E. CREDIT BALANCES THAT NEED TO BE RETURNED TO NSFAS.

NOTICE TO NSFAS FUNDED STUDENTS

In order to be paid allowances, students funded by NSFAS in 2026 need to complete the accommodation and allowance form which is available on the Financial Aid web page on the Wits website. The DHET guidelines below apply to allowances and accommodation.

Click below for forms:

• NSFAS Allowances

Please note:

• NB: NSFAS FUNDED STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BOOK OPM MEALS WITH RESIDENCE LIFE OFFICE.
• BANKING DETAILS MUST BE CREATED HERE https://self-service.wits.ac.za/
• ALLOWANCES ARE ONLY PAID TO STUDENT BANK ACCOUNTS

DHET ALLOWANCES RULES FOR 2026

RETURNING STUDENTS (registered 2017 and prior)

Students who were registered at WITS or any other University in 2017 and years prior are not fully funded but capped at R93,400.

• 2026 Funding NSFAS cap for returning students is R93 400.
  • The capped amount will cover tuition first.
  • Any available balance of the capped amount, the student may decide how to utilise that balance (i.e. for either books, accommodation or living allowance) depending on the remaining balance.
  • Students are advised to source funding to cover costs that are not funded by the capped amount.
• STIPEND LIVING ALLOWANCE: Up to R15 000 per annum (This applies to students who are accommodated at a self-catering residence and are still within the NSFAS cap)
• TRANSPORT: Up to R7 500 per annum and R15 000 living allowance (This applies to students who stay at home and are still within the NSFAS cap)
• BOOKS: Up to R 5 200 per annum (This applies if student is still within the NSFAS cap)
• LIVING ALLOWANCE(Incidental expenses): Up to R2 900 per annum (This applies students in catering residence that are still within the capped amount)

• ACCOMMODATION: External Wits accredited accommodation up to R42 000. If in University residence up to the total NSFAS capped amount, if it exceeds the capped amount then the student will be responsible for that amount.
• If the student does not complete the Allowance form and submit to FASO office, no allowances will be paid.

NEW FTEN (FIRST TIME ENTRANCE) STUDENTS since 2018

Students registered for the first time since 2018(Matriculated in 2017 and after).

• STIPEND LIVING ALLOWANCE: R15 000 per annum (for students who are accommodated at a self-catering residence and this includes the incidental expenses)
• TRANSPORT: R 7 500 and R15 000 for living allowance per annum (for students who stay at home)
• BOOKS: R 5 200 per annum (for learning materials)
• LIVING ALLOWANCE: R2 900 per year (for students in catering residence, it is for incidental expenses)
• ACCOMMODATION : External Wits accredited accommodation up to R42 000.University residence (all except for WITS JUNCTION and NOSWALL)
• If the student does not complete the Allowance form and submit to FASO office, no allowances will be paid.

ACCOMMODATION GUIDE FOR 2026

RETURNING STUDENTS

Students who were registered at WITS or any other University in 2017 and years prior:

• Students staying in WITS external accredited accommodation will only be considered for accommodation if the student is still within the capped amount.
• The WITS external accredited accommodation will be up to R42 000 per annum depending on the balance remaining on the capped amount.
• The student will be required to submit the WITS external accredited accommodation quotation to the Financial Aid Office.
• If you are in a WITS Residence and you have exceeded the NSFAS capped amount, you will be liable for the difference.
• If you exceeded the NSFAS capped amount and the difference is funded by a sponsor, please submit the sponsor letter to the Financial Aid Office with the WITS external accredited accommodation quotation.

NB: If your accommodation costs more than the R42 000 you will be liable for the difference.

NEW FTEN (FIRST ENTRANCE) STUDENTS

Students registered for the first time since 2018 (Matriculated in 2017 and after):

• Students staying in WITS external accredited accommodation will be required to submit a quotation to Financial Aid Office.
• The WITS external accredited accommodation cap amount is R42 000.

         NB: If your accommodation costs more than the R42 000 you will be liable for the difference.

NB: PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY WITS ACCREDITED ACCOMMODATION WILL BE CONSIDERED, NSFAS DOES NOT COVER NON-ACCREDITED WITS ACCOMMODATION