Who needs to sign the NSFAS bursary agreement?

All students who receive NSFAS funding—whether new or continuing—must sign the agreement annually to receive payments.

How do I sign the NSFAS bursary agreement?

Log into your myNSFAS account, go to 'Track Funding Progress', click on 'Sign Agreement', read the terms, and submit the signed agreement online.

What happens if I don't sign the agreement?

If you don’t sign the bursary agreement, NSFAS will not disburse your tuition, accommodation, or allowance payments.

Does NSFAS fund postgraduate studies?

Some postgraduate programs are funded through loans, which must be repaid after you start earning above the threshold.

What if I break the terms of the agreement?

NSFAS may suspend your funding or demand repayment if you fail to meet academic requirements, provide false information, or drop out.

Can I change or re-sign the agreement?

No. Once signed, the agreement is binding unless NSFAS makes official updates. Always save a copy for your records.

What if I leave the country early?

If you leave the country without fulfilling your academic obligations, you may be required to repay your NSFAS funding with interest.

Can I download my signed bursary agreement later?

Yes. Log into myNSFAS, go to the 'Documents' section, and download your signed bursary agreement anytime.

Do I need to sign again if I change schools?

Yes. If you register at a new institution, you must renew and sign a new bursary agreement to remain funded.

What’s the difference between NSFAS loan and bursary?

A bursary is non-repayable if you meet the academic requirements, while a loan must be repaid once you earn over the set income threshold.

What Is the NSFAS Bursary Agreement?

Q: What is the NSFAS bursary agreement?

The NSFAS bursary agreement is a digital contract between you and NSFAS that outlines your funding benefits, responsibilities, academic requirements, and consequences of non-compliance.

Are you ready to sign your NSFAS Bursary Agreement so you can get funding for 2026? This agreement is a digital contract between you and NSFAS. It explains what you’ll get, what you must do, and what happens if you don’t follow the rules.

Why This Agreement Matters

When NSFAS approves your funding, they need you to sign the NSFAS bursary agreement before they pay tuition, allowances, or accommodation. Think of it as a promise: you promise to do schoolwork, keep good marks, use money properly, and tell NSFAS if things change (like your bank details).

Who Has to Sign It?

All new students awarded NSFAS funding at public universities or TVET colleges
All continuing students who already receive NSFAS funding
Yes—every funded student must complete the NSFAS contract signing once per year through myNSFAS.

Key Parts of the Agreement

Funding Coverage

Item Covered	Annual Allowance	Notes
Tuition Fees	Full cost	Paid directly to institution
Accommodation	R45,000 (university)	R33,000 (TVET)
Living Allowance	R1,650/month	R19,800 per year
Transport	Up to R7,500	For travel under 40km
Learning Materials	Up to R5,200	Books & supplies

To stay funded

University students must pass 50% of the modules each year.
TVET students must pass 5 out of 7 NC(V) subjects or 3 of 4 Report 191 modules
Repayment Terms

Not all funding is a grant. If you receive a loan (especially a postgraduate or fallback loan), you must repay it once you earn a monthly income of at least R30,000. The interest rate is 80% of the prime.

Penalties and Termination

NSFAS can stop funding if you:

Fail to meet academic requirements.
Provide false info
Take longer than the allowed study time (e.g., a 3-year degree must finish in 5 years)

Do you know what Provisionally Funded Mean for NSFAS

How to Sign the Agreement

Log in to your myNSFAS account at www.nsfas.org.za
Go to Track Funding Progress – look for “Awaiting Agreement” or “Funding Eligible”
Click on Sign Agreement to open the document
Read all the NSFAS bursary terms and conditions carefully
Digitally sign and submit within 14–30 days of approval
You will get a confirmation via SMS or email once it is done

What Happens If You Don’t Sign?

Your funding will not be released.
Tuition won’t be paid to the school.
Monthly allowances won’t be loaded.
Your name could be removed from NSFAS records, or funding could be cancelled.

Common Issues With Agreement Signing

Problem	Reason	Fix
“Awaiting Agreement” stuck	System delay or missed deadline	Call NSFAS or email support
Didn’t receive SMS/email	Wrong contact info	Update in myNSFAS > “My Details”
Agreement button not clickable	Site cache error or outdated browser	Clear cache, try Chrome or Firefox

“Awaiting Agreement” is stuck – maybe you missed the deadline, or there’s a system delay.
SMS/email never came – check the spam folder and update contact details in myNSFAS
Bank account not verified – confirm your banking details under “My Details.”

If problems persist, please get in touch with NSFAS support at 08000 67327 or email them through the portal

Checking Status After Signing

Once signed, monitor your funding status:

MyNSFAS portal – Track Funding Progress will change to “Payments” or “Disbursed.”
SMS – Dial 120 67327# followed by your ID number
WhatsApp – Send “STATUS [your ID]” to +27 78 519 8006.
These updates inform you when NSFAS will disburse funds for tuition or allowances.

Tips for a Smooth Agreement

Sign in quickly once NSFAS notifies you
Keep a copy of the signed document
Track your marks monthly—stay above 50% and meet deadlines
Update myNSFAS with any changes (bank, contacts, study program)
Seek help early if you miss a deadline or face issues

FAQ About NSFAS Bursary Agreement

A digital contract that explains how your funding works and what you must do.

Every student (new and returning) has approved NSFAS funding.

You lose your funding—no tuition, no allowances.

Some doctoral programs use loans—these must be repaid once you work.

NSFAS can stop funding and may demand repayment.

No, unless NSFAS updates the terms. Keep your copy saved for records.

You must repay all funding plus interest if you don’t return as required.

Yes, log in to myNSFAS, go to “Documents,” and download the signed copy.

Yes, a new institution registration requires agreement renewal.

Loans must be repaid (e.g., for postgrad fallback); bursaries don’t, if conditions are met.

The NSFAS Bursary Agreement is your key to getting and keeping student funding. Signing it indicates that you understand the rules, including funding amounts, academic requirements, repayment terms, and penalties associated with the program. Skip it, and your money won’t come. Need help? Contact your school’s financial aid office or NSFAS support right away.