How to Actually Survive on a NSFAS Budget: The Real Student Hustle
Let’s be honest—being a student feels like a marathon you didn’t sign up for. Classes. Assignments. Pulling all-nighters fueled by 2-minute noodles. And if you’re riding the NSFAS train, congrats—you’ve dodged one financial bullet, but now you’ve got to stretch those rands like a pair of old jeans. Here’s the no-filter guide to living on the cheap, staying sane, and not ending every month eating dry bread.
1. Know What NSFAS Actually Pays For
Seriously, don’t just assume you’re covered for everything. Double-check what’s in your NSFAS deal:
– Tuition? Sorted.
– Accommodation? Only if it’s on their approved list, so don’t get wild with some fancy student apartment.
– Living allowance? That monthly drip-feed.
– Books and learning stuff? There’s an allowance, but don’t blow it on five highlighters and a cute notebook.
– Transport? If you’re off-campus, they throw in some travel money.
That money’s got to last, so watch it like you watch your ex’s Insta stories—closely and with suspicion.
2. Where You Crash Matters
Look, student digs can be a money pit if you’re not careful.
– NSFAS-approved spots: They’re usually 100% covered, and you won’t have to cough up your food money for rent.
– Still live with your folks? If you can handle your mom’s questions about your love life, do it. Cheaper than rent, and maybe there’s free dinner.
– Roomies: No one loves sharing a fridge, but splitting costs is the oldest hack in the book—and hey, you might even make a friend who’ll lend you their charger when yours dies.
3. Budget Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Kinda Does)
You can’t just wing it. Write down what you have and what you need to spend on, like:
– Rent (if it’s not fully covered)
– Food (and yes, the occasional chocolate bar counts)
– Transport (student bus cards are your new best friend)
– Airtime and data (don’t get caught without WhatsApp)
– Toiletries (yes, you actually need soap)
– Stash a bit for emergencies (like when your kettle explodes or you lose your student card)
There are free apps for this—try 22seven or YNAB, or just scribble it all in a notebook if you’re old-school. The point is: don’t treat your allowance like it’s Monopoly money.
Bottom line? Living on NSFAS is totally doable, but you’ve got to be sharp. Be that student who always knows where their money went—not the one crying at month-end with only R12 and a bag of rice.
4. Cheap (or Free) Meals
Honestly, if you can boil water, you’re halfway to surviving uni. Just make a giant pot of pasta, soup, or whatever’s on special—eat leftovers for days. It’s not glamorous, but neither is eating instant noodles five nights a week (trust me, your taste buds will rebel). That R50 burger? You could buy ingredients for a whole tray of food. Don’t get hustled by Uber Eats.
Student cafeterias sometimes have those weirdly cheap meals. If your campus does, grab ‘em. And don’t feel weird about food banks—everyone’s been broke at some point. If there’s free food going, take it.
5. Second-hand and Digital Textbooks
Why pay full price for books you’ll use once for an assignment and then never touch again? Check your library first—half the time, the books are online or someone’s already scanned them. Also, Facebook or WhatsApp groups are gold for second-hand textbooks—sometimes people just give them away to clear space.
If you get that Learning Materials Allowance, don’t blow it on fancy stationery or a random gadget that’ll collect dust. Get what you actually need to pass.
6. Transport Hacks
That NSFAS transport allowance? It’s for, well, transport. Don’t get clever and use it on sneakers. If you can, walk or bike—saves cash and you might get some accidental fitness. Need to commute? Monthly passes will save your bank account compared to buying tickets every day.
7. Make the Most of Campus Facilities
Free Wi-Fi? Yes, please. Computer labs, printers, career fairs—use them all. Why pay for a gym when your uni probably has one in the basement? You’re already paying for it in your fees, so milk it for all it’s worth.
8. Part-Time Work or Side Hustles
Got some spare hours? Tutor, work in the library, do some freelance stuff online, or sell your old clothes and sneakers. If you can braid hair or do nails, you’ll never be broke. Just double-check you’re not breaking any NSFAS rules or flunking classes because you’re hustling too hard.
9. Avoid Debt and Dumb Spending
Don’t get sucked in by those sketchy “student credit” offers or pyramid scheme nonsense. If you must borrow, make sure it’s for something important, not for a night out or the latest kicks. Financial FOMO is a scam.
10. Build a Little Savings Buffer
Even if it’s just R50 a month, put something away. It piles up fast and bails you out when you need airtime, meds, or when taxis go on strike. Separate your savings from your spending money—there are apps for that, or just join a stokvel with friends.
Final Thoughts
Look, being a student with NSFAS money isn’t exactly living large, but you can make it work. Be smart, keep your eyes on the prize (that degree, duh), and don’t let broke days distract you from your big-picture goals. Every rand you don’t waste now is a rand you get to keep for your future self—who’ll totally thank you later.