Household earns R350 000 – R600 000? You now qualify for NSFAS — and there are 5 other options too.
What is "missing middle"? Your household earns too much for the old NSFAS limit (R350k) — but nowhere near enough to pay R40k–R80k in annual fees. Since 2024, NSFAS raised the threshold to R600k, pulling 200 000+ students into eligibility.
Check your NSFAS eligibility
All funding options
6 options
NSFAS Missing Middle Bursary
NSFAS
NSFAS
Full tuition + monthly allowancesCash repayment
Funza Lushaka Bursary
Bursary
Dept. of Basic Education
Full tuition + R27 500 annual allowanceWork-back only
Feenix Crowdfunding
Bursary
Feenix
Varies — crowd-funded by donorsNo repayment
Eduloan Study Loan
Loan
Eduloan
Up to R550 000 totalCash repayment
Fundi Study Loan
Loan
Fundi
Up to R500 000 totalCash repayment
Company Bursaries
Bursary
Sasol, Anglo American, MTN + more
Full tuition + allowances (varies)Work-back only
Strategy: Apply for NSFAS first, then 2–3 company bursaries simultaneously (no repayment if you work for them). Only take a study loan if everything else fails — up to R500k at 10–15% interest is a serious commitment.