In a major development that affects hundreds of thousands of aspiring scholars, South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has released a fresh update on funding outcomes for the 2026 academic year. The sprawling initiative that provides financial support to underprivileged students in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges has cleared the way for more than 660,000 students to receive funding. This milestone brings relief to families and students preparing for tertiary education, but it also highlights ongoing challenges in the process that still leave some applicants waiting for clarity.
As academic sessions get underway this year, this report explores how NSFAS has tackled a huge backlog of applications, the hurdles that remain for students, and what still needs to be done to ensure no one is unfairly left out.
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Flood of Approvals and Hard Work Behind the Scenes
The latest numbers paint a picture of a funding system under pressure but making visible progress. After teams at NSFAS worked intensively to sort through over 180 000 outstanding documents, more than 660 000 students have now been approved for funding for the 2026 academic year. These approvals span first-time applicants as well as returning students across universities and TVET colleges.
A key contributor to this surge was the active follow-up on missing paperwork. Many students had submitted incomplete documentation or unclear files during the earlier application period. With extra effort from NSFAS staff working around the clock, thousands of these gaps were filled and approvals extended just ahead of the crucial registration deadlines.
The impact of this effort cannot be overstated. For many students from low-income households, NSFAS support is the difference between pursuing higher education and putting dreams on hold. The approvals mean that a significant portion of the eligible pool now has access to tuition coverage, allowances, and other forms of financial support, including help with registration and possibly accommodation where applicable.
Why Some Students Are Still in Limbo
Despite the progress, tens of thousands of applicants are still awaiting final decisions on their funding status. According to the figures released, there are more than 21 000 applications stalled due to outstanding or unclear documents, and about 85 000 records that remain under review. These stuck cases commonly involve uploads that are fuzzy, wrongly labelled, or missing entirely, preventing NSFAS from finalising clearance.
NSFAS has been vocal in advising students to regularly check their portal accounts and to ensure that every document is clear and correctly uploaded. Students are also encouraged to contact institutional financial aid offices if they run into technical issues or require assistance with uploads.
Academic progression requirements have also played a role in slowing some approvals. For continuing university students, those who have not met the minimum progression criteria find themselves with delayed or withheld funding until updated results are submitted. At TVET colleges, a similar pattern has been observed, with students needing to meet set academic criteria to maintain their eligibility.
Accommodation and Payment Challenges
While the funding decisions are a big step forward, accommodation remains a sensitive topic for many students. NSFAS reported having received nearly 195 000 accommodation applications, yet only about 55 000 of these have been approved so far. Calls have gone out to accommodation providers to avoid housing students without confirmed funding, in order to prevent unfair displacement.
Funding disbursement has also begun taking shape. Payments of R3.6 billion were confirmed to universities to cover allowances, while R679 million has been sent to TVET colleges for tuition fees. To accommodate extended registration periods, NSFAS has adjusted payment schedules for TVET student allowances, with instalments set to be released on set dates in February 2026.
These moves are designed to help institutions and students manage cash flow at the start of the year and to provide some stability for concessionary allowance recipients who depend on these funds for daily living expenses as well as academic supplies.
What’s Next for Applicants and NSFAS
For students still waiting on decisions or needing to submit additional documentation, the portal remains the central point of reference. NSFAS has urged applicants to monitor their status closely and to act quickly on any notifications to avoid further delays.
In some cases, students may find themselves in appeal processes or dependent on supplementary exam results being uploaded by institutions. These situations require patience and follow-ups with both NSFAS and the respective college or university financial aid departments.
The broader picture shows a funding scheme that is operationally challenged by large numbers but responsive to issues as they arise. By finalising hundreds of thousands of applications and delivering funds to institutions, NSFAS has provided many learners with the opportunity to begin their academic year with financial backing in place.
According to the Government of South Africa, the ongoing issues underscore the importance of accurate document submission, timely communication between students and educational institutions, and continued vigilance against misinformation that could lead applicants astray.
NSFAS’s efforts to clear student funding for 2026 represent a critical step toward enabling access to tertiary education for South African youth. But for thousands, the journey is not yet complete. Students are urged to remain proactive and engaged with the process to ensure they do not miss out on opportunities due to administrative or clerical hurdles.
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