The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has opened its Bursary applications Programme for the 2026 academic year.
Wits University allows qualifying students to register with outstanding debt by signing an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD) and meeting specific financial criteria.
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NSFAS Students: If the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has not yet paid a qualifying student’s prior-year debt, the student may sign a NSFAS AOD to register, provided they have no “own debt” (personal charges not covered by funding).
Small Debts: Students with prior-year debt of R10,000 or less are allowed to roll over their debt and register for the new academic year without an upfront 50% payment.
Large Debts (Missing Middle): Students with a gross household income below R600,000 who owe more than R10,000 must typically pay 50% of the outstanding balance upfront and sign an online Historical AOD to register.
Fully Funded/Sponsored Students:Undergraduate students with debt less than R120,000 who have secured funding for the current year can register by signing a Sponsorship AOD and uploading their sponsorship letter.
Accommodation Cap: Former NSFAS beneficiaries affected by the 2023 accommodation cap can also register upon signing an AOD.
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For the 2026 academic year, the university extended the registration period to 17 February 2026 to accommodate these financial processes.
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You can apply for these concessions and upload required documentation through the Wits Student Self-Service Portal. For a detailed breakdown of 2026 fee requirements and payment plans, refer to the 2026 Fees General Information PDF.
Would you like the specific steps for uploading a sponsorship letter or checking your current debt balance on the portal?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a South African government student financial aid scheme which provides financial aid to undergraduate students to help pay for the cost of their tertiary education after finishing high school
Who qualifies for NSFAS:
- All South African Citizens
- All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum.
NSFAS will cover your costs for:
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Book allowance
- Transport
- Living allowance
Documents needed to verify your NSFAS funding application
- All applicants must provide a copy of ID. A temporary ID issued by the Department of Home Affairs will be accepted
- Non-SASSA applicants must provide ID copies of parent/s, legal guardian/guardian or spouse.
- Smart ID cards: a copy with both sides of the smart ID must be provided.
- Proof of income: applicant and/or parents/legal guardian/spouse (where applicable (non-SASSA) should provide latest payslip not older 3 months, UIF letter, appointment letter, retrenchment letter (applicant and/or parent(s), legal guardian/spouse).
- Person with disabilities: to complete Disability Annexure A form
The Application guideline can be accessed at www.nsfas.org.za/content/how-to-apply.
To apply you will need to first register for a myNSFASaccount and submit your online application.
- Toll Free: 08000 67327 | info@nsfas.org.za
