NSFAS has announced that the allowance for students in November 2025 will be the monthly disbursement of R5,200. This will be an enormous support to all students coming from both, universities and TVET colleges, as it will allow them, in the South African context, to cope with living costs. This allowance which is part of the NSAFS commitment to the education of poor students till their graduation is, thus, one step forward.The officials recommend that students first verify their eligibility and then check their banking details to secure fast and seamless payments before November payouts commence.
What is the structure of the R5,200 Allowance?
The allowance of R5,200 earmarked for November 2025 is the maximum monthly support package laid down for NSFAS students. This consists of several parts depending on the student’s living location and the institution where he/she is studying.A common breakdown of the total R5,200 for university students may be as follows:
- Housing support: R1,650
- Food and hygiene: R1,500
- Books or study materials support: R1,000 (this amount can be dispensed either at once or in periods/monthly)
- Transport support: R1,050 (for those students not covered by NSFAS housing)
- Students in TVET colleges will have dissimilar disbursement patterns based on distance and living conditions, with some receiving off-campus accommodation or transport allowances depending on their accredited needs.
As per NSFAS, the objective is to sustain students in a condition where they can continuously have access to food, housing, and academic materials without any disruption.
November Allowance Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the NSFAS November allowance for the year 2025, the following conditions must be met by the students:
- South African citizenship and attending a public university or public TVET college are the basic requirements.
- The combined annual family income must not be more than R350,000 (or R600,000 in case the student has a disability).
- The student with the minimum requirement of being academically active all the time is the one enrolled for the semester.
- He/she must not have any unresolved cases of academic exclusion or disciplinary actions against him/her.
- Students will need to provide their correct bank and contact details through the myNSFAS portal.
Besides, NSFAS has urged individuals checking their funding status on the official website, https://www.nsfas.org.za, to do so often if their prior funding status was “pending” or “on hold” due to verification delays.
November 2025 Payment Dates and Processing
NSFAS has announced that the payment for the November 2025 allowance will begin on Monday, November 18, 2025, and will be ongoing throughout the month as universities validate students’ enrollment and academic activity participation.Payments to University of California (UC) students will be made either into the NSFAS bank account or via the NSFAS Mastercard. Meanwhile, TVET college students will have the funds deposited into their respective linked wallets or accounts at the college. Payments will be delayed for students who have not completed the banking details verification process or whose academic records are not current. NSFAS has advised all its beneficiaries to confirm their banking status by November 10, 2025, at the latest to make sure they do not miss out on the payment window.
The Allowance’s Importance
The R5,200 monthly allowance is the backbone of higher education in South Africa and has been one of the biggest contributors to the country’s educational policies. It allows the students of poor families to study without worrying about money at all.The different students get their basic living expenses, transport and even books covered by the allowance so they are allowed to participate in academic life to the fullest. Student unions not only welcomed the announcement but also referred to it as a “timely financial relief” since the year-end exams are just about to start.