By: Natasha Archary

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande has confirmed the 2024 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances.
This year the living allowance is R16 500 for university students, broken down as follows:
- R3 045 for personal care per year
- R13 455 meal allowance per year
TVET students will have an increase in their living allowance from R6 000 to R10 000. This was due to efforts to bring parity between the university and TVET sectors and is a significant achievement in driving transformation in the TVET sector.
Nzimande says students may either qualify for the travel allowance or the accommodation allowance.
There will be a cap in accommodation costs at R50 000 in metro areas and R41 000 in all other areas per academic year.
Those students who are living in places which has catering, qualify for a maximum allowance of R66 500 in metros and R57 500 in all other areas per year.
Students who opt to make their own living arrangements with relatives or immediate family do not qualify for the accommodation allowance. Instead, these students qualify for a travel allowance determined by the institution, with a maximum cap at R7 875 in 2024.
Learning material allowances must be used for the purchase of academic books and materials and/or a learning device.
All university students qualify for a learning material allowance, which is set at a maximum amount of R5 460.
The full breakdown of the 2024 NSFAS allowances can be found on the statement released by Nzimande last week.
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