NSFAS allowances for October 2025 have become the main concern for many students as the new month begins. Learners funded through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme are waiting to see exactly what hits their bank accounts — and whether payments arrive on time. The key question remains: how much do TVET college students receive compared to university students this month?
This guide breaks down the confirmed figures, disbursement timelines, and key differences between the two groups for October 2025.
October’s NSFAS Allowances Updates
As of now, NSFAS has not publicly released a specific October 2025 payment statement. However, based on the 2025 disbursement calendar, university allowance payments for the second semester are expected in early October. For example, many universities have listed 06 October 2025 as a typical NSFAS monthly disbursement date.
Past announcements suggest NSFAS will issue monthly allowance funds in line with the institutional cycle — October is cycle nine of the year.
There is always the risk of delays, especially on the TVET side where colleges must upload registration data on time. NSFAS has previously warned that if institutions delay uploads or banking verification, payments can be held up.
No major policy tweaks specific to October 2025 have been publicly announced beyond the broader 2025 allowance caps.
So, while we can’t guarantee the exact date or amount for October yet, the expectation is that allowances will follow the standard October run for students whose registration and banking details are in order.
University Students: What to Expect This Month
Below is how the 2025 university allowance structure is laid out, and what a student might anticipate in October (month 9 of the academic year allowance cycles).
Accommodation
For students living in catered residences in metro areas, the annual cap is R65,993.
In non-metro catered residences, the cap is R56,633.
For non-catered residences, the caps are:
• Metro: R52,000 per year
• Non-metro: R42,640 per yearA student’s monthly accommodation allowance is usually a fraction (1/10) of the annual cap, assuming payments are spread over 10 allowance months.
Living Allowance
Students in non-catered accommodation are eligible to receive a living allowance of R17,160 per year (i.e. ~R1,716 per month over 10 months).
That amount is meant to help with food, utilities, and basic day-to-day expenses.
Note: Students in catered residences typically don’t get a separate living allowance (their accommodation includes meals).
Transport Allowance
For students who live at home and commute, the 2025 transport allowance is capped at R8,190 per year (i.e. ~R819 per month over 10 months).
This applies to able-bodied students living within 40 km of their institution who do not receive an accommodation allowance.
Learning Materials & Personal Care
Book / learning material allowance: R5,678 per year for standard students; for students with disabilities: R6,240.
Personal care allowance (for those in catered residences) is R3,167 per year (~R316.70 per month over 10 months) in 2025.
Delays or Top-ups
Some universities periodically issue top-ups or mop-up payments (for students whose registration came in late) but these tend to be ad hoc.
Delays sometimes happen if institutional funding offices receive the NSFAS bulk disbursement late, or if students’ bank details are invalid.
Thus, a university student in non-catered accommodation expecting full allowances might see ~R5,200 (accommodation portion) + ~R1,716 (living) in their October deposit (depending on category), minus variations.
TVET Students: What to Expect This Month
For TVET college students, 2025 introduces some important increases and structural features.
Accommodation Allowances (Metro vs Non-Metro)
Catered residence, Metro: R6,599 per month (R65,993 per year)
Catered, Non-metro: R5,663 per month (R56,633 per year)
Non-catered, Metro: R5,200 per month (R52,000 per year)
Non-catered, Non-metro: R4,264 per month (R42,640 per year)
These mirror the same cap structure as universities (i.e. TVET students in approved residences can receive those allowance amounts).
Living Allowance
In 2025, TVET students saw a 46% increase in their allowances, moving from ~R10,000 per year to R14,600 per year.
Spread over 10 months, that works out to ~R1,460 per month, though some sources cite R1,650–R1,716 depending on the category.
Transport Allowance
TVET students who commute (i.e. do not receive accommodation allowance) may get a transport allowance of around R7,350 per year (~R612–R625 per month).
This applies only if no accommodation is provided.
Personal Care / Incidental
Students in catered residences may receive a personal care allowance of around R316 per month (R3,167 per year).
Distance TVET Students
Students enrolled in distance TVET programs generally do not receive accommodation or transport allowances. Their support is limited mostly to learning materials and possibly personal care, subject to NSFAS policy.
Payment Issues & Delays
Colleges must upload registration data correctly; if not, allowances are delayed.
Banking verification (ensuring correct bank account info on myNSFAS) is another common delay point.
TVET disbursement is more vulnerable to delays compared to universities because of the decentralized upload requirement.
Side-by-Side Comparison (October 2025)
| Allowance Type | University Students | TVET Students |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (metro/non-metro, catered or not) | Up to ~R6,599/month catered metro; ~R5,200 non-catered metro; ~R4,264 non-catered non-metro | Same caps for approved residences: ~R6,599 catered metro; ~R5,200 non-catered metro; ~R4,264 non-catered non-metro |
| Living allowance | ~R1,716/month (for non-catered students) | ~R1,650–R1,716/month (post-increase) |
| Transport | ~R819/month (for commuting students) | ~R612–R625/month (if no accommodation) |
| Personal care / incidental | ~R316/month (if in catered residence) | ~R316/month (if in catered residence) |
Quick commentary: In many cases, TVET students and university students in the same accommodation category will receive similar accommodation allowances under the 2025 caps. However, university students may have a stronger edge in transport or institutional support. Given the recent 2025 increase for TVET allowances, TVET students are relatively better off in the living allowance compared to prior years. But university students generally benefit from more stable and predictable disbursement systems.
Disbursement Timing & Student Experience
University Disbursement
Universities typically link NSFAS allowance payments to their internal finance offices and academic calendars, which tends to smooth the monthly flow once funding is received.
The institutional buffer and funding cycles often lead to fewer major delays at universities compared to TVETs.
TVET Disbursement
TVET payments are heavily reliant on registration uploads by each college; if uploads are delayed or incorrect, students’ October payments may be held back.
In past years, NSFAS has had to run special mop-ups to pay unpaid TVET allowances when upload delays occurred.
Many student complaints center around late or non-reflection of payments, even though the money may have been released by NSFAS.
Common Student Complaints (October)
Payments not reflecting despite “scheduled date”
Banking or account verification issues
Registration not updated / data errors
Partial payments leaving gaps
Institutional delays in forwarding funds to students
For many students, the biggest frustration is not the quantum of the allowance, but the timing and certainty of its arrival.
Key Differences This Month
Allowance amounts
TVET students benefit from the 2025 increase, narrowing the gap in living allowance relative to university students.
For accommodation, the caps are largely aligned between TVET and university when both are in approved residences.
Payment schedules & reliability
University students tend to enjoy more consistent monthly disbursements, thanks to institutional mediation.
TVET students are more exposed to administrative bottlenecks (uploads, banking verification, college delays).
Eligibility and quirks
Commuting (non-residential) students receive transport, not accommodation.
Catered students do not normally get a separate living allowance.
Distance learners (especially in TVET) may be excluded from accommodation and transport components.
Practical Tips for Students Right Now
Check your myNSFAS portal: Confirm that your registration status is approved and that your banking details are correctly submitted.
Contact your institution’s finance/NSFAS office: Ask if your registration upload was successfully processed.
Track the allowance date: Identify the expected payment cycle (based on your institution) and watch for the deposit window.
Raise queries early: If payment hasn’t appeared days after the scheduled date, escalate with NSFAS or your bursary office.
Budget ahead: Don’t rely entirely on the deposit; plan for gaps if delays occur.
Document your case: Keep screenshots, communication logs, and bank statements in case you need to appeal or escalate.
Stay informed: Monitor NSFAS announcements, institutional communications, and student forums for delay alerts or adjustments.
Also check: How NSFAS Works for TVET College Students: A Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly will the October 2025 allowance be paid?
It depends on your institution’s finance cycle and whether NSFAS has disbursed funds; traditionally early October.Why hasn’t my allowance reflected yet?
Common causes: registration upload delay, incorrect banking details, institutional lag.If I live at home, do I get accommodation or transport allowance?
You receive a transport allowance (if eligible), not accommodation.Do students in catered residences get living allowances too?
No — catered students usually do not receive a separate stipend; their accommodation includes meals.Does the NSFAS increase for TVET apply to all allowances or only living?
The 46% increase primarily affects the living allowance; other caps remain aligned with existing ceilings.Are distance TVET learners eligible for full allowances?
Usually not — distance students are often excluded from accommodation/transport support; they may only receive learning materials and personal care.Can I appeal if October allowance is missing?
Yes — you can lodge an appeal with NSFAS, typically within 30 days of the funding decision or non-receipt.Why are TVET students’ payments often later than university ones?
Because disbursement is dependent on decentralized college uploads and verification, which creates more points for delay.If my deposit was partial, will the rest come later?
Yes — many institutions issue mop-up or top-up payments for late registrations or corrections.Will NSFAS continue to pay monthly through 2025?
Yes, the model is monthly (10 cycles per year) unless otherwise adjusted by NSFAS or DHET policies.
Read more: Can You Get NSFAS Allowance Paid into Any Bank Account?
For October 2025, students at both TVET colleges and universities should expect allowances broadly in line with the 2025 caps — meaning similar accommodation rates (where in approved residences) and a strengthened living allowance for TVET students. That said, timing and administrative efficiency remain the defining issues: whether your allowance lands in your account on time often depends more on your institution’s upload practices, banking verification, and internal processing than on the policy itself.
In practical terms: if you’re a student, check your registration status and bank details now, stay in touch with your bursary office, and prepare for possible delays. The difference this month is less about the figures, and more about whether the money arrives when it’s supposed to.
