Vhembe is based in the Limpopo province and is the northern-most district of South Africa, bordering on Zimbabwe; Mozambique and Botswana. The Vhembe District Municipality was established in 2000 and have their head quarters based in Thohoyandou. Made up of 4 local municipalities: Mutale, Musina, Makhado and Thulamela.
Vhembe has a population of more than 1.1 million residents, is one of Limpopo’s 5 districts and covers an area of over 21 000 km2. Majority of the population speak TshiVenda, followed by Xitsonga and then Northern Sotho.
The municipality consists of territories that were previously part of Venda Bantustan, as well as two other districts, namely Hlanganani and Malamulele. The main towns of the Vhembe Municipality include: Elim; Musina; Makhado; Malamulele; Thohoyandou; Tshilamba; Sibasa and Dzanani.
ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED & SELECTION
Vhembe District Municipality are offering bursary awards to students who are studying (or intend on studying) within the following fields:
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Regional and Town Planning
- Environmental Management
- Disaster Management
- Waste Management
- Hydrology and Water Management
- Tourism
- Agriculture
- Information Technology
- Accounting: B Com
- Financial Accounting
- Finance and Auditing
- Economics and Business Management
- Administration
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted – if you have not received any feedback within 3 months of the bursary deadline, regard your application as unsuccessful.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- South African citizen
- Completed Matric OR currently in Matric
- Reside within the Vhembe District area
- Studying or intend on studying within one of the aforementioned fields of study
- Studying or intend on studying at a recognised tertiary institute in South Africa
- *Preference will be given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BURSARY
Application forms can be collected from one of the following locations:
1) Vhembe District Municipality: Old Parliament, Government Complex, Tusk Venda Street, Thohoyandou, Limpopo 09506
2) Musina Local Municipality: 21 Irwin Street, Musina, 0900
3) Makhado Local Municipality: Civic Center, No 83 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt, 0920
4) Thulamela Local Municipality: Thohoyandou Civic Centre, Old Agriven Building, Thohoyandou
5) Collins Chabane Local Municipality: DCO Offices, Hospital Road, Malamulele, 0982
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):
- ID document/ birth certificate (certified copy)
- Matric June results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
- Reference letter from your school principal, if currently in Matric
- Matric certificate, if completed in Matric (certified copy)
- Full academic record, if currently at tertiary level (certified copy)
- Parents/ guardians ID documents/ birth certificates (certified copies)
- Parents/ guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed)
- Proof of residence from SANCO/ Head Man/ Civic
CLOSING DATE
29 November 2026.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Vhembe District Municipality directly:
Executive Mayor’s Office
Tel: 015 960 2008/ 015 960 2012
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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:
- 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)
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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.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
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Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
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Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
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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.