If you've searched for both "SASSA" and "NSFAS" and come away more confused than when you started, you're not alone. They're run by completely different government bodies, they fund completely different things, and yet your family's SASSA grant status can directly affect whether you get approved for NSFAS. This guide walks you through exactly how the two connect, so you know what to expect before you apply.
What SASSA Actually Does
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) administers social grants aimed at reducing poverty for the country's most vulnerable people - the elderly, people with disabilities, unemployed adults, and children who need care support. If you're a student, you might personally receive the SASSA SRD R370 grant, or your family might receive a Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, or Care Dependency Grant on your behalf. Either way, SASSA doesn't fund your education directly - it covers basic living costs like food, transport, and electricity.
What NSFAS Actually Does
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government bursary that exists specifically to fund your studies at a public university or TVET college. Unlike SASSA, NSFAS covers tuition fees directly, plus allowances for accommodation, meals, transport, learning materials, and (for qualifying students) a personal care allowance. You need to apply separately through NSFAS's own online portal - your SASSA status alone never automatically enrols you.
If Your Family Gets a SASSA Grant, It Can Help Your NSFAS Application
Here's where the two genuinely connect, and it works in your favour. NSFAS runs a household income means test to confirm you actually need financial help - normally this means gathering payslips, affidavits, or SARS documents from your parents or guardians. But if your household already receives a Child Support Grant, Foster Care Grant, or Care Dependency Grant from SASSA, you skip most of that.
NSFAS verifies your SASSA grant status directly through its own systems, so a confirmation of your SASSA grant can stand in for income proof entirely - you generally won't need to submit separate parental income documents to satisfy the means test on that basis. You still have to complete and submit the full NSFAS application yourself; the SASSA connection doesn't register or fund you automatically.
Keep in mind the Child Support Grant itself has its own income test on the caregiver - roughly under R5,400 a month if you're single, or a combined household income under R10,800 a month if you're married - so not every family qualifies for the grant in the first place. But if your family is already receiving it, treat that as a genuine head start on your NSFAS application, not a separate hurdle.
Can You Get NSFAS and the SASSA SRD R370 Grant at the Same Time?
This is where you need to be careful, because the answer is generally no. The SASSA SRD R370 grant is specifically for unemployed people with no other income or government support - once NSFAS approves your funding, you're no longer considered "unemployed with no support" in SASSA's eyes, since your NSFAS allowances count as income.
SASSA runs monthly eligibility reviews on every SRD recipient. If that review shows you've since been approved for NSFAS, your SRD grant gets terminated - it isn't a one-time check at application, it's ongoing. You'll typically see this show up as an "NSFAS Registered" status on your SRD account once the systems sync up.
The good news: being on the SRD grant does not stop you from applying for NSFAS in the first place. You can apply for NSFAS while still receiving SRD, and there's no penalty for applying. The restriction only actually kicks in once NSFAS approves your funding - that's the point where you need to let your SRD grant go.
What to Do If You're on SRD and NSFAS Approves You
Don't panic if your SRD status suddenly changes to "NSFAS Registered" after you get approved - this is expected, not an error. Your NSFAS funding is designed to replace the SRD grant, not stack on top of it, since NSFAS covers far more than the R370 monthly SRD payment ever could. Update your details with SASSA if asked, and focus your energy on your NSFAS registration and allowance setup instead of trying to keep both grants active - trying to hold onto SRD after NSFAS approval will only get flagged in the next monthly review.
If you're still waiting to hear back from NSFAS, you can keep browsing verified bursaries and scholarships on this site in parallel - NSFAS approval isn't guaranteed, and having a backup funding plan means a slow or declined NSFAS application doesn't derail your year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a SASSA grant automatically get me approved for NSFAS?
No. If your household receives a Child Support, Foster Care, or Care Dependency Grant, you automatically meet NSFAS's financial means test, but you still have to complete and submit the full NSFAS application yourself.
Can I receive the SASSA SRD R370 grant and NSFAS funding at the same time?
No. NSFAS funding counts as income and support, which disqualifies you from the SRD grant. SASSA's monthly reviews will terminate your SRD grant once it detects your NSFAS approval.
Will applying for NSFAS affect my current SRD grant?
Not immediately. You can apply for NSFAS while still receiving SRD with no penalty - the SRD grant is only affected once NSFAS actually approves your funding.
What does "NSFAS Registered" mean on my SASSA SRD status?
It means SASSA's system has detected that you've been approved for NSFAS funding, which is why your SRD grant is being phased out - it's expected, not an error to appeal.
Does the Child Support Grant have its own income limit?
Yes. The caregiver must generally earn under roughly R5,400 a month if single, or a combined household income under roughly R10,800 a month if married, for the child to qualify for the grant in the first place.