South African students studying Early Childhood Development (ECD) can potentially receive NSFAS funding, but this does not apply to all ECD courses.
The key factors are the qualification and the institution offering the course and whether they are approved to be funded by NSFAS.
NSFAS lists that it funds approved ‘undergraduate’ qualifications offered at public universities and public TVET colleges and that not every qualification is automatically funded.
Students considering registering for an Early Childhood Development course should therefore research the specific qualification and institution.
Can NSFAS fund an ECD course at a TVET college?
An ECD student studying at a public TVET college can qualify for NSFAS, but only on the basis that the particular programme is an approved qualification.
This is a significant point, as students should be aware that studying at a public college does not guarantee that they will receive financial support, because NSFAS only funds approved qualifications.
NSFAS lists that eligible TVET students are those studying at public TVET colleges and that funding applies to approved qualifications.
The student should therefore check with their TVET college whether the specific qualification is NSFAS-funded.
What about ECD degrees at universities?
Students studying an ECD-related education degree at a public university can also qualify for NSFAS funding, but only if the qualification is an approved undergraduate programme.
For example, a student studying an education degree that will lead them to teaching at the Foundation Phase or ECD-related field may fall within the funding framework, but they should verify the exact qualification.
The important difference is between the area of study or intended career and the actual qualification being funded.
NSFAS does not list that every course related to ECD is automatically funded.
Does NSFAS fund private ECD colleges?
No. NSFAS states that it does not fund students at private colleges, even if they are studying an ECD qualification.
Students should therefore be aware that they cannot assume that they will receive NSFAS funding simply because they are applying to a private training provider.
Before registering for a course, make sure to confirm:
Whether the institution is a public university or public TVET college
Whether the qualification is approved
Whether the qualification is eligible for NSFAS funding
Whether you meet the NSFAS financial and other requirements
What are the NSFAS income requirements?
For the current NSFAS bursary framework, non-SASSA applicants have a gross combined household income of R350 000 or less per year.
For applicants with disabilities, the gross combined household income is R600 000 or less per year. Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the financial eligibility requirements for a bursary, subject to the other requirements.
Meeting the income requirement does not guarantee funding.
NSFAS states that an applicant must meet the other eligibility requirements and go through the application and verification process to receive funding.
What does NSFAS funding cover?
For students approved for funding, the support can cover various approved study and student-related cost, depending on the institution, qualification and funding policy.
NSFAS’s current information lists that the support can include:
Tuition and registration
Approved accommodation or transport support
Learning materials
Personal care allowances for qualifying students
The exact bursary package depends on the circumstances and the funding regulations. Students should therefore not assume that they will receive the same allowances.
Short ECD courses are a different matter
One of the most important distinctions for ECD students is between an approved qualification and a short training course.
A private training provider may advertise an ECD certificate or course, but this might not be aqualification that NSFAS will fund.
NSFAS states explicitly that students cannot simply register for an arbitrary qualification and expect to receive funding, but the course has to fall within its framework.
Students should be particularly careful about paying registration fees to an institution that states that an ECD course is “NSFAS funded” without confirmation.
How can you check whether your ECD course is funded?
Before enrolling for a course at an institution, students should take the following steps.
1. Check the institution
Make sure that they apply to a public university or public TVET college.
NSFAS does not fund private colleges through the normal bursary programme.
2. Check the exact qualification
Do not rely on the label “ECD course”.
Ask the institution about the qualification name and the relevant qualification information.
3. Ask whether the qualification is NSFAS-funded
The college or university should be able to advise whether the qualification is eligible for funding.
4. Check your financial eligibility
As a non-SASSA bursary applicant, the current income threshold for qualifying for a bursary is a gross combined household income of R350 000 or less. Students with disabilities qualify for a R600 000 income threshold.
5. Apply through the official NSFAS system
NSFAS advises applicants to apply via myNSFAS and asks them to keep their application reference number so that they can track the progress of their application.
What ECD students should not assume
There are several common misunderstandings about NSFAS and ECD funding.
“All ECD courses are funded by NSFAS.”
Not necessarily. The qualification has to meet the applicable NSFAS funding requirements.
“If the college is accredited, NSFAS must pay for the course.”
Accreditation does not determine eligibility for NSFAS funding.
“Every ECD certificate qualifies.”
No. The qualification and funding status have to be checked.
“If I meet the R350,000 income threshold, I automatically receive funding.”
No. Meeting the financial threshold is just one step in receiving funding, according to NSFAS.
What this means for prospective ECD students
The answer to the question “Does NSFAS fund Early Childhood Development?” is therefore: yes – but only where the ECD qualification is approved for NSFAS funding and the student meets the requirements.
The most reliable approach is to confirm the qualification and institution rather than relying on a generic statement that NSFAS funds ECD.
For students weighing up their options, this is an important distinction, because accepting an ECD course does not necessarily mean that they will receive financial support.
ECD NSFAS funding checklist
Before enrolling at an institution, make sure to confirm:
Institution: Public university or public TVET college
Qualification: Approved for NSFAS funding
Citizenship/status: Meets NSFAS requirements
Household income: Within the applicable threshold
Application: Submitted through the official NSFAS process
Documents: Correct supporting information supplied
Funding status: Confirmed rather than assumed
Source and verification
This article was checked against current NSFAS information on eligible institutions, qualifications, income thresholds and the application process. NSFAS states that it funds approved ‘undergraduate’ qualifications at public universities and TVET colleges and that not every qualification is automatically eligible.
NSFAS’s application guidance also describes the process of applying and tracking the progress of a bursary application via myNSFAS.
Editorial policy
Our education coverage aims to distinguish verified funding information from general advice. We prioritise official government and NSFAS information when reporting on student funding and avoid presenting an institution’s marketing claims as confirmation of NSFAS eligibility.
Corrections policy
If information in this article becomes inaccurate as a result of changes to NSFAS funding rules or an error is identified, the article will be reviewed against the latest information and corrected where appropriate.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information and does not confirm that a particular ECD qualification will receive NSFAS funding. Funding rules can change between academic years. Students should confirm the status of their specific qualification and institution with NSFAS and the institution before enrolling or paying fees.
