Can Students Apply for the SRD Grant?

The SASSA will provide temporary social assistance to various categories of people, as long as they meet their requirements. This raises the question: can students apply for the SRD Grant? And if so, when can they do that, and what’s the process like?

Eligibility Requirements for the SRD Grant

• You must be between 18 and 59 years old.
• You need to be a citizen of South Africa, an asylum seeker, a refugee, a permanent resident, or have a special permit.
• It’s mandatory to currently reside in South Africa.
• You must not receive UIF or another SASSA Grant for yourself (except the Child Support Grant).
• Your monthly income must be below R624.

Can Students Apply for the SRD Grant?

Yes, a student can apply for the R370 SRD Grant.

The main criteria still apply:

• They need to be unemployed and not receive any other social grant (except the Child Support Grant).
• The student must not have income or financial support above the R624 monthly threshold, including income from freelancing.
• They must be a resident of SA and also not receive NSFAS funding of any kind.

Simply put, being a student doesn’t disqualify you from the SRD Grant. If you have financial struggles, are unemployed, and meet the requirements, you can apply and be eligible for the grant.

Does NSFAS Funding Disqualify You from the SRD Grant?

In most cases, yes. NSFAS is considered government financial assistance, and receiving it usually makes an applicant ineligible for the SRD Grant under the means-test rules.

If you were already receiving the SRD Grant and later begin receiving NSFAS funding, your SRD payments may stop once the additional funding is detected during verification.

Can You Receive Other SASSA Grants and Qualify for the SRD Grant?

No, if you already receive any type of funding or money from other SASSA grants (except the Child Support Grant), then you will be disqualified from the SRD Grant. You will only receive the SRD Grant if you don’t have any other source of income and you meet the requirements.

Practical Tips

• You should check the NSFAS status first and see if you are receiving any other funds. If you do, then the application may be declined automatically.
• The same thing is valid if you are receiving financial support from caregivers, UIF payments, or any other grant (except the Child Support Grant).
• Always be honest about your income. That’s because the SASSA will check the income levels and existing bank accounts. If your monthly income is over R624, your application will be denied.
• Provide accurate personal and financial information, as SASSA verifies income and bank activity during the assessment process.
• Apply through the official channels at srd.sassa.gov.za, and ask for assistance from qualified professionals if needed.

SRD Grant Myths About Students

Is the SRD Grant Only for Non-Students?

That’s a myth and not true at all. You can be a student and still apply for the R370 SRD Grant. You need to meet all the requirements and then apply.

Getting Student Support Aside from NSFAS Will Disqualify You

Family or private support does not automatically disqualify you, but regular deposits or income may affect your eligibility if they push you above the R624 threshold. You still need to be under the R624 monthly income threshold.

If You Are Enrolled Full-Time, You Are Disqualified

Your enrollment status is not disqualifying you. Instead, the focus for SASSA is your financial needs and income.

Do the SRD and NSFAS Interact?

NSFAS and the SRD Grant operate under different systems. However, receiving NSFAS funding generally makes an applicant ineligible for the SRD Grant due to the means-test rules. If you are already receiving the SRD Grant and later qualify for NSFAS, your SRD payments may stop once the funding is identified during verification.

What Can You Do If the Application Is Denied?

• You can check the SASSA website at srd.sassa.gov.za to see the reason.
• It’s possible to appeal the decision within 90 days, and you can provide new proof/evidence to support your claim.
• Some of the most common reasons for denial include the student receiving NSFAS or their monthly income being above R624. An incomplete application or lack of details can also lead to denial.

For assistance, you can contact SASSA at 0800 60 10 11.

Conclusion

Students are allowed to apply for the R370 SRD Grant, provided that they are not receiving any other kind of financial assistance and support (except the Child Support Grant). For example, getting NSFAS assistance will automatically disqualify you from getting the SRD Grant.

When applying for the SRD Grant, it’s very important to be truthful and share all the required information. Make sure that you meet all the requirements and that your monthly income is under the R624 threshold. That will increase your chances of accessing the SRD Grant.

After applying, you can use the SASSA Status Check page to track your SRD application status at any time.