NSFAS Disburses Over R6.3 Billion as More Than 1.24 Million Students Approved for 2026 Funding

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has disbursed more than R6.3 billion to support students approved for the 2026 academic year. Over 1.24 million students have been approved for funding across universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa.

The announcement was made as thousands of students prepared to begin the new academic year. The funding aims to assist students from poor and working-class families. It ensures that access to higher education is improved across the country.

According to NSFAS, the funds were released to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and student allowances. Payments have already been processed for many institutions. However, the remaining payments will be completed in phases as registration data continues to be verified.

Officials said the large number of approved students shows the continued demand for financial aid. The scheme remains one of the biggest government education support programmes in South Africa.

Meanwhile, institutions are been urged to submit accurate student registration records on time. These records are used to confirm eligibility for funding. Once verification is completed, payments are released to institutions and students.

NSFAS also noted that strict verification processes are being applied. This is done to prevent fraud and ensure that only qualifying students receive funding. As a result, applications were carefully assessed before approvals were granted.

In addition, students were reminded to update their personal and banking details on the NSFAS portal. Incorrect information can delay allowance payments. Therefore, students have been encouraged to check their profiles regularly.

The funding covers several categories of support. These include tuition, accommodation, meals, and learning materials. Transport allowances are also provided to qualifying students who live far from campuses.

Furthermore, the government has reiterated its commitment to expanding access to education. Officials said financial barriers should not prevent capable students from studying. For this reason, NSFAS continues to receive significant budget allocations.

Student organisations have welcomed the funding announcement. They said the financial support will help many students continue their studies without interruption. However, they also called for faster processing of remaining applications.

NSFAS confirmed that some appeals are still being reviewed. Students whose applications were rejected were allowed to submit additional information. These appeals are currently being assessed by the scheme.

As the academic year begins, thousands of students across the country expected to benefit from the funding. The disbursement of R6.3 billion marks an important step in supporting higher education in South Africa. Ultimately, the programme remains a key tool in addressing inequality in education.

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