National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
Public Entity · Social Services · reports to Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme funds tuition and living costs for students from poor and working-class households at public universities and TVET colleges. It operates under the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act, 1999 (Act No. 56 of 1999).
Since 2018 it has provided fully subsidised bursaries rather than loans to qualifying students, following the announcement of fee-free higher education for households below a defined income threshold. It funds tuition, registration, accommodation, transport, learning materials and a personal care allowance.
It is among the largest student funding schemes in the world by beneficiary numbers. Its administration, particularly the direct payment of allowances to students and the accuracy of its means testing, has been a persistent source of difficulty. It reports to the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Audit record, 5 years
Financial highlights, 2024/25
- Total Revenue
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- Total Expenditure
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- Total Assets
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- Total Liabilities
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Values in rand. Sparklines run oldest to newest and are scaled to each series, not to zero.
Leadership, 19 listed
- Chairperson
- Dr Mugwena Maluleke
- Board Members
- Mr Lukhanyo Daweti Adv Lavandra Nanda Gopaul Mr Simphiwe Welcome Khumalo Ms Ndleka Portia Loyilane Ms Prashika Mahesh Dr Johanna Maphutha Dr Siyanda Mngadi Ms Karabo Mohale Adv Richardt Tlou Ramashia Ms Philisiwe Sibiya Ms Clarinda Elizabeth Simpson Dr Marcia Socikwa
- Administrator
- Mr Sithembiso Freeman Nomvalo
- Chief Executive Officer
- Mr Waseem Carrim
- Senior Management
- Thaaniya Isaacs Mr Prakash Mangrey
- Communications Officers
- Khaya Xaba Ms Tsholofelo Zweni
Description written for this directory from the entity’s own published sources: www.nsfas.org.za, www.gov.za