NSFAS Decides to Accept New Student Applications for 2026 Children Approved 660,039
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has finalized major funding decisions for the 2026 academic year, bringing clarity to hundreds of thousands of South African students. While the application window for 2026 is now officially closed, NSFAS has confirmed that funding outcomes have been processed for the majority of applicants, including first-time entrants, returning university students, and TVET college learners.
This year’s funding cycle reflects one of the largest student support efforts in NSFAS history. With over 660,039 660,039students approved and billions of rand already paid to institutions, NSFAS aims to ensure that eligible students can continue their studies without unnecessary financial disruption. At the same time, verification processes, document submissions, and appeals are still ongoing for a portion of applicants.
NSFAS 2026 Application Window and Final Decisions
The NSFAS application period for the 2026 academic year opened on 16 September 2025 and officially closed on 15 November 2025. During this time, students across the country submitted applications for financial assistance to cover tuition, accommodation, and study-related allowances.
After the closure of applications, NSFAS began processing funding decisions based on strict financial and academic eligibility criteria. Most applicants have now received their outcomes, which are available through the myNSFAS online portal. These outcomes determine whether a student is approved, rejected, or requires further verification.
Key points about the application cycle include:
- Applications for 2026 are now fully closed
- Funding outcomes for most students have already been released
- Decisions apply to universities and TVET colleges
- The myNSFAS portal is the only official source of application status
Students who have not yet checked their status are strongly encouraged to log in to the portal, as NSFAS does not finalize funding without confirmed documentation and eligibility.
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NSFAS 2026 Funding Approval Overview
For the 2026 academic year, NSFAS approved funding for 660,039 students who met both financial and academic requirements. These approvals cover a wide range of learners, including new students entering higher education for the first time and continuing students who maintained satisfactory academic progress.
The approved group represents applicants whose household income fell within NSFAS thresholds and whose documentation was successfully verified. In some cases, students who initially qualified for NSFAS loans were later converted to bursary funding after reassessment.
The current funding status breakdown shows the scale of the process and remaining work:
| Application Status | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|
| Approved for Funding | 660,039 |
| Under Verification | 85,662 |
| Awaiting Documents | 21,483 |
| Rejected Applications | 116,266 |
| Loan to Bursary Conversions | 13,052 |
These figures confirm that NSFAS continues to process applications even after the main funding decisions, especially where students have submitted documents late or corrections were required.
Applications Still Under Review or Incomplete
Not all NSFAS applications have been finalized yet. A significant number remain under verification due to recently submitted documents or outstanding information that still needs assessment. NSFAS has stated that these applications are actively being reviewed.
Some applicants are still required to upload missing documents before their applications can be fully assessed. Without these uploads, NSFAS cannot make a final funding decision.
Important facts to understand about pending applications:
- Over 85,000 applications are under active verification
- More than 21,000 applicants still need to submit documents
- NSFAS sets time limits for document uploads
- Failure to upload documents may result in rejection
Students in this category should treat portal notifications as urgent and ensure that all uploads are clear, correct, and complete.
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Why Some NSFAS Applications Were Rejected
NSFAS rejected 116,266 applications for the 2026 academic year. These rejections were mainly due to applicants not meeting the required financial thresholds or failing to meet academic progression rules, especially for continuing students.
Academic performance plays a critical role in NSFAS funding decisions. Students who did not pass the required number of modules or failed to progress academically were not approved, even if they met financial criteria.
Common rejection reasons include:
- Household income above NSFAS limits
- Insufficient academic progress
- Incorrect or unverifiable documents
- Missed submission deadlines
Rejected students are not automatically excluded from further consideration, as the appeals process offers another opportunity to present updated or corrected information.
NSFAS Appeals Process for 2026
NSFAS has confirmed that the appeals process for 2026 is open for a limited period. Students who disagree with their application outcome, or whose applications were marked incomplete or rejected, may submit an appeal through the myNSFAS portal.
Appeals must generally be submitted within 30 days of receiving the application outcome. NSFAS has already received tens of thousands of appeals, many of which are currently being reviewed.
Appeal-related updates include:
- Approximately 91,937 appeals submitted
- Thousands approved or still under review
- Some appeals rejected or closed due to non-compliance
- Additional documents may be requested during appeals
Students who miss the appeal deadline risk losing their chance to be reconsidered for funding.
NSFAS Payments and Allowances for 2026
To support students at the start of the academic year, NSFAS has already released more than R4.2 billion in early payments. These payments were made directly to universities and TVET colleges to ensure students could access tuition and allowances without delays.
The early funding breakdown shows NSFAS’s focus on stabilizing the academic year:
- R3.6 billion paid to universities for allowances
- R679 million paid to TVET colleges for tuition support
- Payments made before full registration closure
For TVET college students, allowance payments are being released in two phases due to extended registration periods.
TVET Allowance Payment Schedule
NSFAS adjusted the TVET allowance payment schedule to accommodate late registrations at several colleges. As a result, payments will be made in two batches during February 2026.
The confirmed TVET payment dates are:
- First disbursement: 13 February 2026
- Second disbursement: 27 February 2026
Students should note that allowance payments depend on registration confirmation and institutional reporting.
Meaning of “Approved for NSFAS Funding”
Being approved for NSFAS funding means that the scheme has confirmed a student’s eligibility based on financial need and academic performance. Approval also signals that NSFAS will cover specific study-related costs according to its funding rules.
Approved students can expect:
- Tuition fees paid directly to institutions
- Allowances for accommodation, meals, and learning materials
- Continued support if academic progress is maintained
However, accommodation approvals and related payments may take additional time due to separate review processes.
What Students Should Do Now
With NSFAS processes still ongoing, students are encouraged to stay proactive. Regularly checking the myNSFAS portal is essential to avoid missing critical updates or deadlines.
Recommended next steps include:
- Log into the myNSFAS portal frequently
- Upload any requested documents immediately
- Track appeal outcomes if an appeal was submitted
- Confirm registration details with institutions
Staying informed and responsive remains the best way to secure or maintain NSFAS funding for the 2026 academic year.
You can also read: SASSA Payment Dates for February 2026
Conclusion
NSFAS 2026 funding represents one of the largest student support efforts to date, with over 660,039 students approved and billions already disbursed. While most outcomes are finalized, verification, document uploads, and appeals are still shaping final numbers.
Students who actively monitor their application status, respond to NSFAS requests, and meet deadlines stand the best chance of receiving or retaining financial support throughout the academic year.
