How To Apply for TVET Funding in South Africa

South Africa has around 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

They are a popular choice for recent Matric candidates, but most have no idea that funding can be made available.

Through South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is able to fund TVET students.

In the last 3 years, government funding for higher education has gone up 107%, from R20 billion in 2018 to R42 billion in 2021.

Increasing TVET enrolment is a big part of this jump.

NSFAS TVET funding eligibility

1. You should be a South African citizen.

2. Be from a household with a combined annual income of less than R350,000.

3. For persons with disability, combined annual household income of less than R600 000.

4. You should have registered at a TVET college for one of the National Certificate Vocational or report 191 programme. Report 191/NATED programmes consist of 18 months theoretical studies at colleges and 18 months relevant practical application in work places.

5. You are an already registered university student with an annual household income of under R122 000.

6. You have passed Grade 9 & 10.

7. You are a SASSA grant recipient

*Remember this programme has no age limit, and there are avenues in which NSFAS can fund you for a second degree/course.

Other than NSFAS, TVET student can access loans from normal financial institutions.

We have previously looked at the best student loan programs in South Africa.

Bursaries and scholarships are also other available sources of funding for TVET students.