How does nsfas sbux work

How does nsfas sbux work : sBux is the new cellphone payment system – developed by Celbux – which NSFAS uses to pay allowances to students who qualify for an FSFAS bursary. sBux issues NSFAS allowances (in the form of cellphone vouchers) to students on their cellphones for the payment of food, accommodation, books and travel. These vouchers can ONLY be used at sBux registered merchants.

How safe is the sBux system?
Very! The sBux system is hosted on the Google app platform and all payments are supported by NSFAS.

What can I purchase on the site with my sBux Vouchers?
Students are able to purchase their academic or prescribed books.

Can my cart contain sBux as well as non-sBux items in the same transaction?
Yes absolutely, you can fill your cart with anything you like, however the sBux Voucher may be used as a payment method ONLY for eligible sBux items. There are 2 steps to this process. The sBux transaction will be handled first, followed directly by the transaction for the remaining cart items.

Please note:

On the Checkout Details page, sBux needs to be selected as the payment option even when a split payment is required.
Only the sBux eligible item/s will be included in the sBux transaction.
For the remaining items, the customer will be directed to conclude the transaction using an immediate payment option i.e. either a Credit card, Debit card or Instant EFT.

How do I obtain an sBux voucher?
Students can simply follow these steps:

Dial the short code *133*798#  from your cellphone.
Enter your password
Click Send
Select option 1. Cash Voucher and click Send
Enter amount and click Send
You’ll receive an SMS with cash voucher number
This voucher number can be used for the purchase.

Please call the NSFAS Contact Centre 0860 067 327 for all matters relating to sBux voucher creation and usage.

What is an eligible sBux product?
For phase 1 of this offering, only prescribed/academic books, selected laptops and tablets will be eligible.

How long will the voucher remain valid?
The NSFAS via Celbux will control the validity of the voucher. takealot.com simply validates whether the voucher is still redeemable. Hence, a student would need to confirm this with NSFAS.

How can I use my sBux Voucher on the takealot website?
During checkout, a specific voucher field for sBux vouchers will be available. Here you can enter your sBux Voucher code and redeem it as payment.

The sBux Voucher is being rejected on the website. Help!
When entering the sBux Voucher code, be sure to capture the numbers correctly. Added spaces and dashes between the numbers should not matter. If you’re still having problems, it means you may not have sufficient funds.

Can I use an sBux Voucher as payment for other products on takealot.com?
No, sBux Vouchers can only be used to purchase eligible products approved by Celbux.

Can a takealot.com voucher be used in the same transaction as the sBux voucher?
Yes. The takealot.com discount will be applied to the order first, with the remaining balance being the portion that will be taken from your sBux account.

Why can’t I select the sBux payment option even though a book from Unisa or Academic categories has been selected?
This is because the items are not regarded as academic or prescribed books. The sBux payment option will be enabled for selection ONLY for items that have been flagged as eligible.

takealot.com does not regard my prescribed book as an academic/prescribed one OR I cannot find my prescribed book. What can I do about this?
Don’t panic! Just pop us an email: info@takealot.com and we’ll work our magic.

If I decide to split payment, but the cash portion of the transaction fails, what will happen to the redeemed sBux voucher on that order?
If this occurs, please contact sBux Customer Service on 0860 067 327 immediately to request a reversal of the sBux voucher.

Can I complete a purchase where the value of the sBux item/s exceeds the value of the sBux voucher?
No – you’ll see a screen message indicating that there are insufficient funds in your sBux account.

If I order the wrong product by mistake, can I cancel the item and request the correct one?
Yes of course. You’ll have to return the items first, after which a new order will be placed for the new item. There are 2 ways in which this can be done.

If the item/s has already been shipped, you’ll be able to request a refund via our website.
If the order is in any other order status e.g. ‘In process, ‘Ready to Ship”, you can call our Customer Services team to request the exchange or replacement.

Can I cancel an sBux-paid order?
Yes this may be requested, however the you’ll only be able to request the cancellation/return via the website once the item is in a ‘Shipped’ status. If you want to cancel the item/s that have not yet shipped then you’ll need to contact our Customer Services team on info@takealot.com for this request.
Note: In the event of a return where multiple items were purchased with an sBux voucher, the sBux account of the student will receive a chargeback for only those item/s being returned.

What happens to an sBux refund where a takealot.com discount voucher has been applied?
Your sBux account will only be refunded with the amount that was charged for the transaction, or the item within a transaction.

Can I request a refund of all items in the order where it is mixed cart – both sBux and non-sBux items?
Yes this is possible. Your sBux account will be credited only with the returned sBux items, and the return of the non-sBux item/s will be handled in the standard takealot.com manner.

Can I request that my takealot.com account be credited with the returning sBux item amount?
No, this won’t be allowed. The Merchant terms provided by NSFAS dictates that takealot.com may not provide credit in any form, to the student. Note: In the event of a return where multiple items were purchased with an sBux voucher, the sBux account of the student will receive a chargeback for only those item/s being returned.

How will I know that the sBux refund has been successful?
You’ll receive an SMS indicating the amount that has been refunded to your sBux account. This amount should be equivalent to what was taken for the item/s from the account. The SMS will include a new voucher number which will include the new balance.

Why is the Shipping fee added to the sBux portion of the transaction?
If you selects a value-added shipping option e.g. same day or weekend delivery, this fee will be included in the sBux transaction whether the cart contains only sBux items or is a mixed cart. This is in accordance with takealot.com’s agreement with NSFAS.

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Related Resources

🏦 NSFAS Applications NSFAS funding applications and student finance guides

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

Be a South African citizen.
Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
Have a valid South African ID.
Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

Visit the NSFAS Website

Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

Tuition fees
Registration fees
Accommodation (if living away from home)
Meals and transport
Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

Log into your MyNSFAS account.
Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
Upload any missing or corrected documents.
Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
Twitter: @myNSFAS
Facebook: NSFAS

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.