Sassa grants: who qualifies, and how do you apply?
Read on to find out if you are eligible to receive financial assistance from the government.
Types of grants
Social Assistance is provided in the form of:
• Grant for older persons;
• Disability grant;
• War veterans grant;
• Care dependency grant;
• Foster child grant;
• Child support grant;
• Grant-in-aid;
• Social relief of distress.
Qualifying Requirements
Grant for Older Persons
The applicant:
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee
• Must be resident in South Africa;
• Must be 60 years or older and spouse must comply with the means test;
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution;
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant for him/ herself;
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document or s or the smart ID card.
Disability Grant
The applicant:
• Must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
• Must be resident in South Africa;
• Must be 18 to 59 years of age;
• Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming disability;
• Medical assessment must not be older than 3 months at date of application, and spouse meet the requirements of the means test;
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution;
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of him or herself.
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document; the smart ID card.
War Veteran’s Grant
The applicant:
• Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident;
• Must be resident in South Africa;
• Must be 60 years and over or must be disabled;
• Must have fought in the Second World War or the Korean War and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
• Must not be maintained or cared for in a state institution;
• Must not be in receipt of another social grant in respect of himself or herself;
• Must submit a 13 digit bar coded identity document; the smart ID card.
Child Grants
Foster Child Grant
• The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa;
• Must provide a court order indicating foster care status;
• The foster parent must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
• Child must remain in the care of the foster parent(s)
• Foster parent must provide a 13 digit bar coded identity document; the smart ID card
• Must provide a birth certificate for the foster child.
Care Dependency Grant
• The applicant must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
• The applicant and child must be resident in South Africa;
• Child must be under the age of 18 years;
• Must submit a medical / assessment report confirming the child’s permanent, severe disability;
• Applicant and spouse must meet requirements of the means test (except for foster parents);
• The care-dependent child/children must not be permanently cared for in a state institution;
• Must provide birth certificate for the child;
• The applicant must supply a 13 digit bar coded identity document;
Note: the income of foster parents will not be taken into consideration.
Child Support Grant
• The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
• Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa;
• The child must be 18 years of age or younger;
• Must provide a birth certificate for the child;
• Must provide a 13 digit bar coded identity document for the applicant;
• Applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/children concerned;
• The child/children must have been born after 31 December 1993;
• The applicant and spouse must meet the requirements of the means test;
• Cannot apply for more than six non biological children
• Child can not be cared for in state institution.
• It should be noted that one of the intentions of the child support grant is to ensure that children attend and complete schooling. It is therefore a requirement that a school attendance certificate be produced for children aged between 7and 18 years. However, failure to produce this certificate or failure to attend school will not result in the refusal to pay their child support grant.
Where Do You Apply For A Grant?
• You apply at the SASSA Office nearest to where you live;
• If you are too old or sick to travel to the office to apply for a grant, then a familymember or friend can apply on your behalf; with a letter from you as applicant authorising the application;
• Alternatively you may call the SASSA office to request a home visit;
• Your application form will be completed in the presence of an officer from SASSA;
• When your application is completed you will be given a receipt;
• Keep this receipt – it is your only proof of application;
• You do not have to pay any money to apply;
• If your application is not approved by SASSA, you must be informed in writing as to why your application was unsuccessful;
• You have the right to request SASSA to reconsider its decision, if you are unhappy with the decision made. If the reconsidered decision is still unfavourable, you have the right to appeal to the Minister of Social Development. The request for SASSA to reconsider its decision must be made within 90 days of you being informed of the outcome of your application.
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 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:
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✅ 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:
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- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
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📚 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:
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- 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)
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Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
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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.
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Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
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Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
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Upload Required Documents
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Submit Your Application
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Track Your Application
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🗓️ 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
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- 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:
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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:
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- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
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📱 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.