Will I Qualify for NSFAS If My Parents Hold Government Jobs?
For those that are looking to study at a public university or TVET college in South Africa, you might have come across NSFAS — the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. It aims to assist students who come from poorer families to further their education. But one common question students ask is: “Will I still qualify for NSFAS if my parents are government employees?”
Let’s simplify things.
The Short Answer
Yes, you can still qualify for NSFAS even if your parents work for the government — as long as your household income falls within NSFAS’s qualifying criteria.
What Are the NSFAS Income Requirements?
NSFAS uses household income as the main factor in deciding who qualifies for funding. As of 2025, to qualify for NSFAS funding:
Your combined household income must be R350,000 or less per year.
If you are a student living with a disability, the income threshold is higher — R600,000 per year.
This means that whether your parents work for the government or in the private sector, what matters is how much your household earns—not where they work.
My Parents Work for Government — Does That Count Against Me?
No, the fact that your parents work for the government does not automatically disqualify you. It is very likely that many government workers, like teachers, nurses, and even clerks, make below the R350,000 household income ceiling especially if there is only one earning spouse or parent, or if there is a larger family.
Example:
Let’s assume that your mother is a school teacher hence a public teacher. She is earning R18,000 monthly (R216,000/year), and your father is currently unemployed. Your household income would be, R216,000 which puts you in the bracket of R350,000 hence you would qualify under the NSFAS criteria.
What Documents Will I Need?
To apply, you will require the following documents:
Certified copies of your parents’ ID documents.
Proof of income ( payslips, affidavit or letter from employer).
Your own ID or birth certificate.
Academic records.
Proof of residence.
Non submission of any of the important documents such as ID will lead to delays hence total rejection.
What If My Parents Earn Slightly Over The Limit?
In the circumstance where your household is slightly above R350,000, NSFAS more likely than not, would not approve your application. Regardless, there could be other funding opportunities. These might come in the form of university merit bursaries available for those who qualify or even sector specific like Funza Lushaka bursary for teaching.
Final Thoughts
Irrespective of whether your guardians are government workers or not, NSFAS only considers your family income which is of paramount importance. So yes — if your parents are government workers but your family income is R350,000 or less, you qualify for NSFAS.
If you’re having doubts regarding your eligibility, in my opinion, there is no harm in attempting to apply. Every application is looked at individually by NSFAS, and in certain cases, there is room for exceptions like with the number of dependents or if the applicant has a disability.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget the deadline for access applications in September to November.
If you need assistance in applying or verifying your eligibility, feel free to reach out to me, and I would be happy to guide you through the process!