NSFAS Board Chairperson, Dr Mugwena Maluleke during a media briefing to outline NSFAS’s preparations for the 2026 academic year, with a focus on funding disbursements and registration support for all universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS Board Chairperson, Dr Mugwena Maluleke says NSFAS is committed to removing financial barriers, ensuring students can pursue higher education. He urges submission of documents and leases to secure funding and accommodation for 2026.
Image: Kopano Tlape/GCIS
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has approved funding for 692,704 first-time entering students and 550,959 continuing students for the 2026 academic year.
The scheme has also disbursed more than R6.3 billion to universities and hundreds of millions to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, NSFAS board chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke said the organisation remained committed to ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent deserving students from accessing higher education.
“NSFAS was established to transform access to higher education and training for the youth of South Africa. Our mission is clear: to ensure that no deserving student is denied the opportunity to pursue their studies simply because of financial constraints,” Maluleke said.
He said the scheme viewed education as a critical driver of social mobility and economic development.
“We believe that education is the most powerful tool for changing lives, combating poverty, and building an inclusive society,” he said.
Maluleke added that the scheme had already played a significant role in expanding opportunities for young people across the country.
“NSFAS has opened doors for millions of ordinary South Africans, many of whom have gone on to become leaders, innovators, and contributors to our economy and communities,” he said.
“Through our work, we strive to level the playing field, promote social justice, and unlock the potential that exists in every corner of our country.”
He said that as the organisation looked ahead, it remained focused on ensuring that opportunities were expanded for students across the country.
“As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding opportunities and ensuring that talent, not circumstance, determines one’s prospects,” he said.
Maluleke said one of the most critical aspects of the scheme’s work was the timely and efficient disbursement of financial aid at the start of the academic year.
“We understand that the start of the academic year is a time of hope and anticipation, but also anxiety for students and families who depend on NSFAS support,” he said.
For universities, NSFAS made two major upfront disbursements for student allowances, including accommodation.
Maluleke said on February 2, 2026, the scheme disbursed R3 557 285 045 to cover allowances and accommodation, while a second payment of R2 824 849 085 was made on March 2, 2026 to continue supporting students throughout the academic year.
TVET colleges also received significant support from the scheme, he said.
On February 2, 2026, NSFAS released R679 079 050 to cover tuition fees so that institutions could register and support students from the start of the academic year.
On February 13, R145 457 290 was paid to 51 130 students for qualifying allowances. A further R446 590 368 was paid on February 27 to 138 115 students, covering allowances including transport and accommodation, he said.
“These investments are not just numbers; they represent our commitment to removing financial barriers and creating an enabling environment for academic success,” Maluleke said.
The scale of demand for financial assistance continued to grow, he added. This year, 692 704 first-time entering students and 550 959 continuing students were approved for funding, although
Maluleke noted that available places at universities and TVET colleges remained limited. In addition, 1 561 loans were approved to support students continuing with their studies.
Maluleke said NSFAS was working closely with institutions across the country to ensure that registration processes ran smoothly and that funding could be processed without unnecessary delays.
So far, registration data had been received for 174 962 TVET students and 54 280 university students nationwide.
“This data enables us to process and disburse funding efficiently, minimizing delays and ensuring that eligible students can access their funding and start their studies without uncertainty,” he said.
The scheme also provided an update on the appeals process for students who did not meet academic progression or financial eligibility requirements.
Students are allowed to appeal on grounds such as a medical condition, a traumatic event or a demonstrated potential to complete their qualification.
According to Maluleke, NSFAS had handled a total of 101 201 appeals so far. Of these, 22 654 had been approved, 9 073 were awaiting supporting documentation, 18 108 had been rejected, and 44 411 had been closed, deleted or withdrawn.
“The appeals process is designed to be fair, accessible, and responsive,” he said.
Maluleke urged students with pending appeals to submit any outstanding documentation as soon as possible, warning that delays could affect both the outcome of the appeal and the disbursement of funding.
Student accommodation remained another key priority for the scheme. Maluleke said NSFAS had received 224 983 accommodation applications from students across the country for the 2026 academic year.
So far, 148 825 students and accommodation providers had submitted signed lease agreements confirming their accommodation arrangements.
However, he warned that a significant number of applicants had still not submitted signed leases.
“NSFAS urgently appeals to these students and accommodation providers to complete the process by signing and submitting their leases as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in delays or complications in the allocation of accommodation and related allowances,” he said.
Maluleke also confirmed that most operational milestones for the start of the academic year had already been completed.
These included the submission of continuing student results in December 2025, the completion of funding decisions by the end of December, the release of university admission lists and NSFAS funding lists, and the opening of the registration portal on 5 January 2026.
Most operational milestones for the academic year have been completed, including funding decisions, the release of university admission lists, and the opening of the registration portal on 5 January 2026.
The first accommodation disbursement scheduled for 13 March is on track, while the registration portal is expected to close on 31 March 2026
Maluleke said NSFAS remained committed to expanding access to higher education and supporting students across South Africa.
''NSFAS stands as a pillar of opportunity, equity, and progress in South Africa. Our work is not just about administration; it is about transformation.
''I encourage all students to engage actively with their institutions, submit required documents,sign accommodation leases, and check their application and appeal statuses regularly. NSFAS will continue to provide updates and support to ensure a smooth and successful academic year,'' he said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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