US EditionNSFAS Confirms 2026 Student Funding – Over 609,000 Approved
NSFAS approved funding for over 609,000 students and confirmed sufficient funds for upfront institutional payments to support 2026 academic year registrations.
- At the Government Communication and Information System in Pretoria on Tuesday, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme outlined its preparations for 2026, with Acting CEO Waseem Carrim and acting chair Dr Mugwena Maluleke updating the country.
- Last week, NSFAS processed all funding applications ahead of the 2026 academic year, receiving a record number and categorising applicants as first-time entry and continuing students.
- To date, 609 653 applications have been approved, with 49 538 rejected mainly for income ineligibility, and more than 66% submitted by women .
- The appeals window opens immediately as outcomes are communicated, students have 30 days to submit appeals with supporting documents, and NSFAS confirmed it has sufficient funds to make upfront payments for February and March.
- NSFAS will release monthly statistics and embark on a consultation this year on a revised funding model, with systems in place to prevent last year's issues while engaging National Treasury on the 2026 budget.
10 Articles
10 Articles
NSFAS receives record-breaking number of applications for 2026
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received a record number of applications for the 2026 academic year, with close to 900 000 submissions received so far. More than 66% of the applications were submitted by women, highlighting continued strong female participation in South Africa’s higher education system. NSFAS applications surge in 2026 NSFAS Administrator Mugwena Maluleke briefed the media on Monday, 5 January, on the schem…
NSFAS seeks to avoid failures of 2025 with direct payments and campus deployments
NSFAS says it is committed to ensuring that 2026 is an efficient and effective year. This is after acting CEO Waseem Carrim says they are willing to be held accountable this year, as more than 600,000 applicants have been approved for bursaries, while all students will receive their full book and meal allowance on 1 February 2025.
NSFAS receives nearly 900 000 applications, with women making up 66% – The Mail & Guardian
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) received a record 893 487 applications for the 2026 academic year, with just above 66% submitted by female students. Acting chairperson Mugwena Maluleke said the volume of applications was “a testament to the scale and importance” of the funding scheme, which provides financial aid to needy undergraduate students to help pay for the cost of their tertiary education after finishing high school. Of…
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