NSFAS has approved funding for more than one million students for the 2026 academic year. Here is what the approval numbers mean and how students can check their NSFAS application status.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that funding has been approved for more than one million students for the 2026 academic year, following record-breaking application numbers.
The update was shared by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, during a media briefing on the state of the Post-School Education and Training sector. The announcement highlights the continued role of NSFAS in supporting access to higher education for poor and working-class students across South Africa.
NSFAS Funding Approval Numbers for 2026
According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, NSFAS has already approved funding for a significant number of applicants.
A total of 626,935 first-time applicants have been approved for NSFAS funding for the 2026 academic year. In addition, 427,144 continuing university students have met the required academic progression criteria and will continue receiving financial support.
These figures bring the total number of approved students to well over one million, placing considerable pressure on the NSFAS funding system.
Record Demand for NSFAS Funding
NSFAS received close to 900,000 applications for the 2026 academic year, making this one of the highest demand periods in the scheme’s history.
Data from NSFAS shows that more than 66 percent of applicants are women. Over half of all applications came from students who are beneficiaries of the South African Social Security Agency, reinforcing NSFAS’s role in supporting learners from low-income households.
While acknowledging the impact of NSFAS, Minister Manamela noted that challenges within the basic education system and wider economic pressures continue to affect the sustainability of the funding model.
Funding Pressures and System Improvements
The Minister confirmed that NSFAS is implementing short-term stabilisation measures to manage demand, while work continues on medium-term funding reforms.
One of the key reforms under consideration is the expansion of funding options for the “missing middle,” referring to students who fall outside the NSFAS income threshold but still struggle to afford higher education.
To reduce reliance on NSFAS alone, Sector Education and Training Authorities are also playing a growing role in funding access to education.
During the 2025/26 funding cycle, SETAs are supporting more than 15,000 new bursary beneficiaries and nearly 8,000 continuing beneficiaries. The combined value of SETA bursary funding is close to R2 billion.
According to the Minister, diversifying funding sources strengthens the overall resilience of South Africa’s higher education funding system.
When Will NSFAS Allowances Be Paid?
NSFAS allowance payments for approved students are expected to begin in early February, in line with the start of the 2026 academic year.
Students are strongly advised to ensure that their personal details, application status, and banking information are correct and up to date to prevent delays in payments.
How to Check Your NSFAS Application Status for 2026
If you applied for NSFAS funding for 2026, checking your application status regularly is important.
To check your NSFAS status, follow these steps: NSFAS student portal
Log in to your NSFAS student portal using the username and password you created when applying
Navigate to your application dashboard
View your current application status, which may reflect outcomes such as approved, provisionally funded, or pending verification
If your application shows that funding has been approved, make sure that your banking details are correctly submitted and verified.
Students who are still awaiting feedback should continue monitoring their status, as NSFAS processes applications in phases.
Important Reminder for Students
NSFAS has advised students that delays in allowance payments are often linked to incomplete or incorrect information. Keeping your details updated is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid problems at the start of the academic year.
Students who have been approved but do not receive communication should continue checking their portal and institutional communication channels.
Conclusion
The approval of funding for over one million students for the 2026 academic year confirms NSFAS’s continued role in expanding access to higher education in South Africa. Despite financial pressures and rising demand, the scheme remains a critical support system for students from poor and working-class backgrounds.
For applicants and continuing students, regularly checking your NSFAS status and ensuring your details are accurate will help ensure a smoother start to the 2026 academic year.
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mine its approved but it falls to upload documents
What about those who appealed for Nsfas. Since they did not meet the requirements. Are they taken into consideration since there is a lot of numbers this year for funding.
Mine has been on verification for months now.