NSFAS vs Bursary: What Is the Difference

Students use these two words interchangeably all the time, and they are not the same thing. Calling your NSFAS funding a bursary or assuming a bursary works like NSFAS can lead to real confusion when the money does not arrive the way you expected or the conditions turn out to be different from what you planned for.

Here is what each one actually is, how they differ, and what that means for you practically.

What NSFAS Is

NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. It is a government programme funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training, and it exists specifically to help South African students from low-income households pay for their studies at public universities and TVET colleges.

NSFAS is not a company, not a charity, and not a private fund. It is a government scheme with fixed eligibility rules, fixed allowance amounts, and a centralised application process through my.nsfas.org.za. Every eligible student who applies and qualifies receives the same categories of support: tuition, accommodation up to a capped amount, a living allowance, transport, and learning materials.

The income threshold is R350,000 combined household income per year. Above that, you do not qualify. Below it, and you are enrolled at a public institution, NSFAS is obligated to fund you if your application is complete and correct.

There is no merit component to NSFAS. Your matric results and academic grades do not determine whether you get it. Financial need is the primary qualification. Academic performance does affect whether your funding continues year to year, but it does not determine your initial eligibility.

What a Bursary Is

A bursary is financial assistance offered by a company, government department, professional body, or institution to fund a student's studies. Unlike NSFAS, bursaries are not run by one central body. Every bursary has its own funder, its own rules, its own application process, and its own conditions.

Some bursaries are needs-based, similar to NSFAS, and prioritise students from lower-income households. Others are merit-based and go to high-achieving students regardless of their financial situation. Many are both, requiring strong academic performance and demonstrated financial need at the same time.

Bursaries are available for students at public and private institutions. They are not limited to universities and TVET colleges. A private college student who cannot access NSFAS can still apply for a bursary from a company or professional body in their field of study.

The amount a bursary covers varies enormously. Some cover full tuition, accommodation, and a stipend. Others cover only tuition. Some cover only one year. Others renew annually subject to academic performance.

The Biggest Practical Differences

Who funds it. NSFAS is funded by the government. Bursaries are funded by companies, professional bodies, government departments acting independently, universities themselves, or private donors. The funder determines the rules.

Who qualifies. NSFAS has one national income threshold applied equally to every applicant. Bursaries have their own criteria. Some are open to any South African student. Others are restricted to students studying a specific subject, from a specific province, or planning to work in a specific industry after graduating.

What it covers. NSFAS has standardised allowance categories and capped amounts. A bursary might cover everything or only one specific cost. You need to read the terms of each bursary carefully to know exactly what you are getting.

Whether you have to work for the funder afterwards. NSFAS has no work-back obligation. Once you graduate, you owe nothing to NSFAS in terms of employment. Most corporate bursaries come with a condition that you work for the funding company for a fixed period after graduation, often one year for every year of funding received. If you do not fulfill that condition, you are expected to repay the bursary. This is a significant commitment and worth thinking about carefully before you accept one.

Application process. NSFAS has one centralised application portal at my.nsfas.org.za. Every bursary has its own application process, its own deadline, and its own required documents. There is no single place to apply for all bursaries.

Can You Have Both at the Same Time

This is the question students ask most often, and the answer is: sometimes, but with conditions.

If you receive a full bursary that covers tuition and accommodation, NSFAS will not fund you for the same costs. NSFAS does not duplicate funding that another source is already providing. However, if a bursary only covers tuition and NSFAS covers your accommodation and living allowance, both can coexist because they are covering different costs.

The rule is that the combined funding from all sources cannot exceed the actual cost of your studies. If you are receiving more than your total study costs across all funding sources, NSFAS can reduce or withdraw its contribution.

Always disclose any other funding you are receiving when applying for NSFAS. Failing to disclose it and receiving both at full value when they overlap is considered fraud and NSFAS can recover the money from you.

Which One Should You Apply For

The honest answer is both, if you qualify for both.

NSFAS should be your first application if you meet the income threshold and you are enrolled or planning to enrol at a public institution. It is the most accessible and most standardised form of student funding in South Africa. Apply for it through my.nsfas.org.za as soon as applications open, usually in August of the year before you plan to study.

Bursaries should be pursued at the same time, not as a backup. Corporate bursaries from companies in your field of study often come with work placements, mentorship, and guaranteed employment after graduation. Government department bursaries often cover full costs and are less competitive than people assume because fewer students apply for them directly. Professional body bursaries in fields like accounting, engineering, and healthcare are available every year and go partially unclaimed because students do not know they exist.

You can browse open scholarships and bursaries relevant to South African students, and this article walks through how to manage both applications at the same time without one falling behind: How to Apply for Scholarships While Applying to University.

What About Scholarships: Where Do They Fit In

Students often ask where scholarships sit in relation to bursaries and NSFAS.

A scholarship and a bursary are very similar in how they work. Both are awarded funding you do not have to repay under normal circumstances. The difference is mostly in emphasis. Scholarships tend to be awarded primarily for academic achievement or exceptional talent. Bursaries tend to emphasise financial need, sometimes alongside merit. In practice, many South African institutions use the two words interchangeably.

International scholarships, like the Schwarzman Scholars programme or the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, operate completely separately from NSFAS and are available to students studying outside South Africa or at partner institutions. If international study is part of your plan, these are worth pursuing seriously: How to Win an International Scholarship as an African Student.

A Note on NSFAS Rejection and Bursaries as an Alternative

If your NSFAS application was rejected because your household income is above the R350,000 threshold, or because you are studying at a private institution, bursaries become your primary funding option.

Many students in this situation assume they cannot get funding anywhere because NSFAS said no. That is not true. The income threshold that disqualifies you from NSFAS still leaves you within the range that many corporate and institutional bursaries target. Companies specifically look for students from middle-income households who do not qualify for government funding but cannot comfortably afford full fees either.

If your NSFAS was rejected and you want to understand whether the decision can be challenged before you pivot to bursaries: How to Fix a Rejected NSFAS Application.

For the full picture on what NSFAS covers and how much each allowance is worth, this article has the 2026 breakdown: What Does NSFAS Cover and What Does It Not Cover.

And for everything NSFAS-related in one place: NSFAS Guide 2026.