Direct answer
NSFAS runs a Virtual Contact Centre, and unlike most government-linked bodies it does publish an official WhatsApp number: +27 63 093 5671. The toll-free line is 08000 67327 and the general email address is [email protected]. Because a genuine NSFAS WhatsApp number exists, the safe approach is not to reject WhatsApp outright but to check any number against the one published on nsfas.org.za. Verified 18 August 2026.
Official contact routes
| Route | Detail | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Toll-free line | 08000 67327 | General, student, payment and balance enquiries |
| +27 63 093 5671 | Virtual Contact Centre enquiries | |
| USSD | *120*67327# | Access without data |
| General email | [email protected] | Student enquiries and legal documentation |
| Payments and balances | [email protected], [email protected] | Repayment, balance and account queries |
| myNSFAS account | nsfas.org.za | Applications, status and appeals |
| Head office | The Halyard, 4 Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8001 | In-person and courier delivery |
The USSD code is worth noting if data cost is a barrier, since it works on any handset without an internet connection.
Sending documents to the right address
NSFAS publishes two different postal addresses, and using the wrong one delays your documents.
- University and TVET college documents: Private Bag X4, Plumstead 7801, South Africa.
- NSFAS Wallet documents: Private Bag X6, Plumstead 7801, South Africa.
- Legal documentation: [email protected]. NSFAS states that legal documentation not submitted and logged through that dedicated mailbox will be deemed invalid and will not receive timeous attention.
Reporting fraud and corruption
NSFAS operates a separate Ethics and Fraud hotline for information on fraud or corruption identified or witnessed. It is not the same as student support, and using it for a funding query will slow you down.
| Route | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ethics and Fraud hotline | 0800 007 396 |
| Hotline WhatsApp | 0860 004 004 |
| [email protected] | |
| SMS call-back | 48691 |
| Free post | BNT165, Brooklyn Square, 0075 |
Note that the fraud hotline WhatsApp number, 0860 004 004, is different from the Virtual Contact Centre WhatsApp number. Both are published on nsfas.org.za, and they are not interchangeable.
Best contact route by issue
- Application status or appeals: your myNSFAS account first, then the toll-free line.
- Payment not received, or a balance you dispute: [email protected] or [email protected].
- Accommodation and allowances: the toll-free line, with your student and institution details ready.
- Suspected fraud or someone demanding money: the Ethics and Fraud hotline, not general support.
- Media or outreach: 021 763 3200, with [email protected] or [email protected].
- Registration and funding decisions at your college: the institution’s financial aid office, which administers much of this locally.
What to prepare
- Your ID number and NSFAS reference, which identify you faster than your name.
- Your institution and student number.
- The academic year the query relates to.
- Dates and amounts for a payment or allowance query.
- Screenshots of your myNSFAS status where it contradicts what you were told.
What not to share
- Your myNSFAS password or any one-time password. NSFAS does not need them, and handing them over gives someone control of your funding record.
- Your banking PIN or card details.
- Payment to secure funding. NSFAS applications and appeals are free, so a fee request is the fraud itself.
- Documents sent to a WhatsApp number you have not checked against the published one.
Related contact pages
- Fake NSFAS Links and WhatsApp Groups: checking a number or group against the published channels.
- NSFAS Fraud and Scam Warnings: the patterns that target students each registration season.
- NSFAS Contact Details: the full entity page.
- What Not To Share With Customer Care: the credentials no official needs.
- How To Check If A Phone Number Is Official: the general verification method.
Frequently asked questions
Does NSFAS have an official WhatsApp number?
Yes. The Virtual Contact Centre WhatsApp number is +27 63 093 5671, and the Ethics and Fraud hotline uses a separate WhatsApp number, 0860 004 004. Both are published on nsfas.org.za. Any other number claiming to be NSFAS should be checked against those before you send anything.
What is the best way to contact NSFAS?
For most students, the toll-free line 08000 67327 or the myNSFAS account. Use USSD *120*67327# if data is a problem, and [email protected] when you want the enquiry in writing.
What information should I prepare?
Your ID number, NSFAS reference, institution and student number, the academic year, and dates and amounts for payment queries. Add screenshots of your myNSFAS status where it conflicts with what you have been told.
What should I do if I cannot get help?
Put the query in writing to [email protected] and keep a dated copy with your reference. Raise it in parallel with your institution’s financial aid office, which administers much of the process locally. Where fraud or corruption is involved, use the Ethics and Fraud hotline on 0800 007 396 or [email protected].
Last verified 18 August 2026 against the official NSFAS contact page on nsfas.org.za.