NSFAS-accredited student accommodation, explained
If NSFAS funds your studies, your accommodation allowance can only be used at accommodation that has been accredited. Here is what that means in practice, how to find accredited rooms, and what to check before you sign.
What “NSFAS-accredited” means
NSFAS (the National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funds eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges. For students who live off campus, the accommodation allowance is paid only for accommodation that has been accredited — assessed against NSFAS minimum standards for things like safety, space, furnishing, utilities and study facilities, and with rent inside the caps NSFAS sets for that category and area.
Accreditation is done per property, through your institution and NSFAS, and it has to be current. A landlord saying “we accept NSFAS students” is not the same as the property being accredited, so ask for the accreditation and confirm it with your institution’s residence or financial aid office.
How the accommodation allowance works
The allowance is part of your NSFAS funding package and is capped at an amount NSFAS confirms each year, split by accommodation type and location. Depending on your institution, it is paid directly to the accredited provider, or to you to pay the provider. Your institution tells you which applies, and when payments are made — usually in line with the academic calendar rather than on the first of every month.
Because payment timing follows the academic year, ask the provider how they handle the first month and any gap before your allowance is released, and get that in writing.
How to find accredited accommodation on DigsConnect
Search your city, suburb or campus, then switch on the NSFAS filter to show only listings whose landlords have told us they are accredited. Every listing shows the price, what is included and the estimated travel time to nearby campuses, and you can message the landlord directly to confirm accreditation and payment arrangements before you commit.
What to confirm before you sign
Five questions, in this order:
- Is the property accredited for my institution, for this year? Ask for the accreditation letter or number and check it with your financial aid office.
- Does the rent fit inside my allowance? If the rent is above the NSFAS cap, you pay the difference yourself — make sure you can.
- What is included? Accredited accommodation should include the basics (furniture, water, electricity, internet or study facilities). Confirm exactly which utilities are covered.
- How and when is rent paid? Directly by NSFAS, via your institution, or by you after the allowance lands — and what happens in the months before the first payment.
- What happens if my funding changes? Read the lease for the notice period and what you owe if you lose funding or leave mid-year.
Common problems and how to avoid them
The most common issue is paying a deposit or first month to a provider who turns out not to be accredited, and then being unable to claim it against the allowance. The second is a rent above the cap that was never discussed. Both are avoided by confirming accreditation and the cap with your institution before paying anything, and by keeping all communication with the landlord in writing.
If you are unsure, your institution’s student housing or financial aid office is the authority — not the landlord, and not us. NSFAS publishes its accommodation policy and current caps at nsfas.org.za.
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Search NSFAS-accredited digsFrequently asked questions
Can I use my NSFAS allowance for accommodation that is not accredited?
Generally no — the accommodation allowance is paid for accredited accommodation. Some institutions have transitional arrangements, so confirm with your financial aid office before you sign anything.
Does NSFAS pay the landlord or me?
It depends on your institution. Some pay accredited providers directly; others release the allowance to the student, who then pays. Your institution will tell you which applies to you.
What if the rent is more than the NSFAS cap?
You are responsible for the difference. Ask for the exact rent, what is included and the current cap for that accommodation type before you commit.
How do I know a DigsConnect listing is really NSFAS-accredited?
The NSFAS filter shows listings whose landlords have declared accreditation. Always ask the landlord for their accreditation details and confirm with your institution — accreditation is per property and per year.