Can NSFAS Fund You Without Matric at a TVET College?

Yes, NSFAS can fund some students at a public TVET College even if they have not completed Matric.

This is because not every TVET College programme requires a National Senior Certificate for admission.

NSFAS currently funds approved programmes at public TVET Colleges, including:

Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP)
National Certificate Vocational, or NC(V)
Report 191 / NATED programmes
Approved occupational programmes

However, whether you can study without Matric depends on the entry requirements of the specific TVET programmeyou want to register for.

Does NSFAS Require Matric for TVET College Funding?

Not in every case.

For TVET College students, NSFAS does not simply have a blanket rule saying that everyone must already have Matric.

Instead, you need to:

Be accepted or registered for an NSFAS-approved programme.
Study at a public TVET College.
Meet the programme’s academic entry requirements.
Meet NSFAS financial eligibility requirements.
Meet any other applicable NSFAS conditions.

NSFAS specifically lists PLP, NC(V) and Report 191 programmes among the programmes that may qualify for funding at public TVET Colleges.

Which TVET Programmes Can You Study Without Matric?

The most common route for learners who do not yet have Matric is the NC(V) pathway.

NC(V) Programmes

National Certificate Vocational programmes are offered at public TVET Colleges.

They generally run through:

NC(V) Level 2
NC(V) Level 3
NC(V) Level 4

Depending on the college and programme, entry into NC(V) Level 2 may be possible after completing Grade 9.

This means a learner does not necessarily need to first complete Grade 12 before starting an NC(V) programme.

If the programme is NSFAS-funded and you meet all other requirements, NSFAS may fund your studies.

What Is the Pre-Vocational Learning Programme?

The Pre-Vocational Learning Programme, or PLP, is another programme recognised by NSFAS for TVET funding.

NSFAS identifies PLP as one of the approved TVET College programme categories.

The programme is intended to help students strengthen their foundational academic skills before progressing into vocational studies.

This route can therefore be relevant to students who are not yet ready to enter another TVET qualification directly.

Can NSFAS Fund NC(V) If You Only Have Grade 9?

Potentially, yes.

If a public TVET College admits you into an approved NC(V) programme based on your Grade 9 or equivalent qualification, you may apply for NSFAS funding.

You must still satisfy NSFAS’s:

Financial requirements.
Citizenship requirements.
Academic requirements.
Programme eligibility rules.

The key point is that NSFAS follows the funded programme and admission rules, rather than requiring Matric for every TVET applicant.

Can NSFAS Fund NATED Courses Without Matric?

This depends on the particular NATED or Report 191 programme.

Report 191 programmes include qualifications such as:

Entry requirements differ according to the level and field of study.

Some lower-level engineering programmes may accept applicants without Matric if they have the required prior school qualification.

However, higher NATED programmes may require Grade 12 or an equivalent qualification.

You should therefore check the entry requirements directly with the TVET College before applying.

Which TVET Programmes Does NSFAS Fund?

According to the current NSFAS eligibility rules, approved TVET College qualifications fall into categories that include:

Pre-Vocational Learning Programme.
NC(V) programmes.
Report 191 / NATED programmes.
Approved occupational qualifications.

Funding only applies to programmes approved for NSFAS support.

What Are the NSFAS Financial Requirements?

For bursary funding, NSFAS currently states that non-SASSA applicants generally need a combined gross household income of R350 000 or less per year.

For applicants with disabilities, the threshold is generally R600 000 or less per year.

Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the financial eligibility requirement.

Other NSFAS Requirements

In addition to being admitted to an approved programme, applicants generally need to meet requirements such as:

Be eligible under NSFAS citizenship or residency rules.
Study at a public TVET College.
Meet the household income threshold.
Register for an approved qualification.
Meet the academic progression requirements if they are returning students.

NSFAS does not fund private colleges.

Does NSFAS Fund Private TVET Colleges?

No.

NSFAS funding applies to public TVET Colleges and public universities.

If you register at a private college, you should not assume that NSFAS will pay for your studies.

What Does NSFAS Cover at a TVET College?

For qualifying students, NSFAS funding may cover approved costs such as:

Registration fees.
Tuition fees.
Learning material allowance.
Accommodation, where applicable.
Transport allowance.
Personal care allowance, where applicable.

The exact allowance structure depends on the applicable NSFAS and DHET funding rules.

What If You Failed Matric?

Failing Matric does not necessarily mean you cannot study at a TVET College.

Depending on your previous school results and the programme’s admission requirements, you may still have options such as:

NC(V) Level 2.
Pre-Vocational Learning Programme.
Certain NATED programmes.
Occupational programmes.

If the qualification is NSFAS-approved and you meet the funding criteria, you may still qualify for financial assistance.

What If You Left School After Grade 9?

You may still be able to enter certain TVET College programmes.

NC(V) programmes are often one of the main options for learners who have completed Grade 9 but have not completed Grade 12.

You should contact the college and confirm:

Minimum grade required.
Required school subjects.
Whether the programme is NSFAS-funded.
Whether applications are currently open.

Can You Get a Matric Equivalent at a TVET College?

An NC(V) Level 4 qualification is at NQF Level 4, the same NQF level as the National Senior Certificate.

However, the qualifications are not identical.

NC(V) is vocationally focused, while the traditional National Senior Certificate is school-based.

The route that is best for you depends on whether you want to pursue vocational training, further study or a specific career.

NSFAS Academic Progression Rules for TVET Students

Returning students must also meet academic progression requirements.

For example, NSFAS states that:

Students progressing to the next NC(V) level generally need to have passed at least five subjects in the previous NC(V) level.
Students progressing through Report 191 generally need to pass at least three subjects in the previous N-level.

These rules are important because funding is not automatically guaranteed every year if academic requirements are not met.

Example: Can NSFAS Fund You With Grade 9?

Consider a learner who has:

Completed Grade 9.
Been accepted into NC(V) Level 2 at a public TVET College.
Household income below the NSFAS threshold.
Met all other NSFAS requirements.

That learner may potentially qualify for NSFAS funding even though they do not have Matric.

Example: Can NSFAS Fund You If You Failed Grade 12?

If you attempted Matric but did not pass, you could still apply to a public TVET College for a programme whose entry requirements you meet.

If the college accepts you into an NSFAS-approved programme and you meet the financial and other eligibility requirements, NSFAS may fund you.

How to Apply for NSFAS Funding

Applications are completed through the myNSFAS system.

Click here to visit NSFAS

Applicants should:

Create or access their myNSFAS account.
Complete the funding application.
Provide the requested information.
Submit supporting documents where required.
Apply to a public TVET College separately.
Ensure the selected programme is approved for NSFAS funding.
Monitor the myNSFAS account for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can NSFAS Fund Me If I Only Have Grade 9?

Yes, potentially, if you are accepted into an eligible programme such as NC(V) at a public TVET College and meet all other NSFAS requirements.

Do I Need Grade 12 for NSFAS?

Not for every public TVET College programme.

You do need to meet the admission requirements for the programme you want to study.

Can NSFAS Fund NC(V)?

Yes. NC(V) is one of the approved TVET programme categories recognised by NSFAS.

Can NSFAS Fund N1 to N6?

NSFAS may fund approved Report 191 / NATED programmes, subject to its current rules and the programme’s admission requirements.

Does NSFAS Fund Private Colleges?

No. NSFAS funds approved programmes at public universities and public TVET Colleges.

Can I Get NSFAS If I Failed Matric?

Potentially, yes.

If you are admitted to an eligible TVET programme that does not require a completed Matric certificate and meet NSFAS’s other requirements, you may still qualify.

Final Answer

Yes, NSFAS can fund you at a public TVET College without Matric, depending on the programme you are admitted to.

The important question is not simply whether you have Matric, but whether:

The TVET College accepts you.
Your programme is NSFAS-approved.
You meet the academic entry requirements.
You meet NSFAS financial and other eligibility criteria.

Students with Grade 9, an incomplete Matric or a failed Matric may therefore still have routes into funded TVET education through programmes such as NC(V), PLP and certain Report 191 qualifications.