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NSFAS confirms 2026 funding is secure for South African students
NSFAS promises steadier funding for students in 2026
For thousands of South African students, few things cause more anxiety than not knowing whether their studies will be funded when the academic year begins. In early February 2026, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme moved to calm those nerves, publicly committing to a more stable, predictable funding year ahead.
Speaking to stakeholders and the media, the scheme outlined how it plans to tighten systems, speed up processing, and keep money flowing to public universities and TVET colleges. The message was clear: access to post-school education remains a priority, especially for students from low-income households and those stuck in the so-called missing middle.
A renewed focus on stability and accountability
NSFAS exists to remove financial barriers for students who would otherwise be locked out of higher education. For 2026, the scheme says it is doubling down on transparency and governance, aligning its bursary and loan programmes closely with government policy while investing in long-term human development.
One of the strongest signals of this renewed focus is the recovery of more than R1.7 billion by the Special Investigating Unit. The funds were clawed back from institutions and former students, reflecting tighter controls and closer cooperation with oversight bodies and law enforcement. For many observers, this recovery has been seen as a turning point after years of criticism around mismanagement.
How the 2026 application cycle is shaping up
Behind the scenes, NSFAS has been working through a massive volume of applications for the 2026 academic year. Both first-time entrants and returning university and TVET students have seen progress, with the scheme allowing applicants to resubmit missing documents.
That decision alone led to more than 180 000 document submissions and the approval of an additional 50 000 applications. Still, NSFAS has warned that unclear or incorrect paperwork continues to slow things down. Students have been urged to double-check every upload, a familiar frustration in a system where one missing page can delay an entire year.
Why consent and declaration forms matter so much
A recurring problem in applications has been incomplete consent and declaration forms. These documents allow NSFAS to verify household income through third-party sources, and without them, applications stall.
Parents or guardians must be clearly identified, email addresses must be accurate, and declaration forms must show relationships properly and be signed by all relevant parties. It may feel like admin overload, but NSFAS insists these checks are essential to keep the system fair.
The latest funding numbers
As of early February 2026, NSFAS had approved funding for 660 039 students, with another 85 662 applications still under verification. Just over 116 000 applications were rejected, while more than 13 000 loan applicants were moved to bursaries after meeting eligibility criteria.
Academic performance also played a big role. At universities, 436 924 continuing students met progression requirements, while just over 109 000 did not. Nearly 5 000 were still waiting for exam results. In the TVET sector, 127 503 students met progression criteria out of almost 211 000 processed applications, with the remainder under review.
Accommodation remains a pressure point
Anyone who has tried to find student housing in a major city knows how much accommodation can affect academic success. NSFAS has acknowledged this by committing to managing accommodation payments directly for participating institutions in 2026.
So far, 194 071 accommodation applications have been received, with 55 653 approved. The scheme says it is working closely with partners to speed up processing. Questions around accommodation at Cape Peninsula University of Technology were also addressed, with NSFAS clarifying that housing is managed by the institution itself, while discussions continue to improve student conditions.
Money already moving into the system
Crucially, NSFAS confirmed that funds are already being released. At the start of February 2026, R3.6 billion was paid to universities and R679 million to TVET colleges. Accommodation rates will be reviewed once budget processes are finalised, a move aimed at ensuring costs better reflect student needs.
Earlier reports noted that NSFAS had finalised the bulk of 2026 funding applications before institutions reopened. A record 893 847 first-time student applications were received, with 609 403 qualifying for funding. Institutions have been urged to submit outstanding academic results and admission lists, while students have a 30-day window to lodge complete appeals if they disagree with outcomes.
What this means for students
While no funding system is ever perfect, NSFAS’s 2026 commitments suggest a more organised start to the academic year than many students have experienced in the past. On social media, reactions have been cautious but hopeful, with students welcoming clearer communication while remaining alert to delays.
For now, the advice is simple. Keep documents accurate, watch official updates closely, and act quickly if an appeal is needed. For a generation relying on financial aid to shape its future, stability is not just a promise; it is a necessity.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Voice of the Cape
