Over a million South African students fall into the "missing middle" — too rich for NSFAS, too poor to self-fund. This free calculator shows you exactly where you stand and what to do next.
Three inputs. Instant results. No account required.
Tell us your household income, institution, field of study, accommodation, and whether you support family members.
We instantly calculate your NSFAS eligibility, annual and degree costs, and funding gap — broken down by category.
Matched bursaries and a real loan comparison help you close the gap. Get a PDF report sent to your inbox.
Instantly see if your household income qualifies for NSFAS funding, what's covered, and how to apply.
If you fall between the cracks, we identify ISFAP and other programmes designed specifically for you.
12 bursary programmes matched to your income, field of study, and institution type — with direct apply links.
Compare FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank and African Bank. See monthly repayments as a % of your expected starting salary.
Join the thousands of students who've used this tool to plan their funding before the academic year.
Calculate my funding →South Africa has a student funding crisis. NSFAS helps those earning under R350,000 per year. Students from wealthy families can self-fund. But the hundreds of thousands in between — the missing middle — have no clear path.
This tool doesn't replace financial advice. It gives every student a starting point: a clear cost breakdown, honest eligibility assessment, and a curated list of the best funding options available in South Africa today.
Figures are estimates based on publicly available 2024/2025 fee schedules and Statistics SA data. Always verify with your institution before making financial decisions.