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Students waiting for NSFAS money, accommodation payments or funding confirmation are being warned to act now — not wait.
A new statement from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been placed under administration again, with continued delays in allowances, accommodation payments and funding decisions.
According to the EFF, students are still waiting months for payments, while institutions face uncertainty around funding disbursements. The party also claims more than 12,000 TVET college students have unconfirmed funding statuses despite the academic year already being underway. This has not been confirmed.
The situation matters immediately for students in the Eastern Cape, especially those studying far from home or relying fully on NSFAS for food, rent and transport.
If your funding is delayed or unclear, here is what you should do now:
Check your NSFAS status immediately
Log into your NSFAS account and confirm your application status.
If your status is “pending” or “unconfirmed,” do not assume it will resolve automatically.
Contact your institution’s financial aid office
Go directly to your campus financial aid office.
Ask for written confirmation of your funding status and whether NSFAS has released payments.
This is critical if you are at risk of being blocked from classes or accommodation.
Escalate unresolved issues
If your institution cannot assist, escalate the issue:
- Contact NSFAS directly through official channels
- Submit a query with supporting documents (ID, proof of registration, banking details)
Address accommodation risks early
If your landlord or residence has not been paid:
- Inform them that NSFAS payments are delayed
- Request written extension or payment arrangement
This may prevent eviction while funding issues are resolved.
Monitor announcements closely
The EFF statement claims administration has not improved conditions in the past, with repeated delays and governance issues.
However, official timelines, payment schedules or corrective plans from NSFAS or government have not been provided in the material. This has not been confirmed.
Students should rely only on verified updates from NSFAS and their institutions.
For Eastern Cape students, especially those in rural areas like Lusikisiki, Flagstaff and Bizana, delays can mean immediate hardship — including hunger, missed classes and loss of accommodation.
That’s why early action matters more than waiting.
The broader concern raised in the statement is that instability, leadership disputes and administrative changes continue to disrupt funding delivery, leaving students uncertain.
What happens next will depend on official communication from NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education.
The EFF’s Statement on the Placement of NSFAS on Administration
-The EFF rejects attempts by the ANC government to portray administration as a solution to the crisis. NSFAS has previously been placed under administration, yet the conditions facing students have not improved.… pic.twitter.com/aZtIZgacIo
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 4, 2026
For now, students are advised to act, document everything, and escalate quickly if payments do not come through.
Expect further updates as more information becomes available — especially around payment timelines and funding confirmations. Stay alert and keep checking your status.
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