NSFAS to fund a million students in 2026

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirms that a million tertiary education students will receive funding for the 2026 academic year.

The scheme received 893,847 applications, of which 609,403 first entrants qualified for financial aid, and 49,538 were rejected.

Incomplete applications stood at 218,043, and 16,863 were withdrawn or cancelled.

Carrim explains that funding is disbursed through direct payments for tuition, accommodation and living expenses.

He acknowledges that some students experienced difficulties in receiving their funding in previous years. However, he says the scheme is working to resolve these issues and encourage more students to reach out to their contact centre for assistance.

“We are happy to look into those issues and do our best to resolve them. Our position is that this is a bursary fund and students should not be accumulating debt.”

NSFAS reminds students to upload missing documentation to finalise their applications to ensure they receive their funding on time.

“We are encouraging students to upload the missing documents so that we can finalise applications so that they know where they stand come the first of the registration or orientation period,” says Carrim.

To listen to Carrim in conversation with Ray White (in for 702’s Bongani Bingwa), use the audio player below: