The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has released its latest update on the status of 2026 funding applications, appeals, and accommodation.
What is happening?
As of February 2026, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has approved 660,039 students for funding in the new academic year. The Scheme has also processed more than 180,000 outstanding documents since its last update, with thousands more applications still under review or rejected.
NSFAS has also released key updates on:
- How to submit documents correctly
- The appeals process
- Accommodation application outcomes
- TVET and university allowance disbursements
Why it matters to you
If you’re a student who applied for NSFAS funding, your academic year could depend on whether your application is approved, pending, or rejected.
This update helps you:
- Understand if you qualify
- Fix common documentation errors
- Track your funding or appeal status
- Know what to expect for allowances and accommodation
What you need to know
NSFAS 2026 Application Status Overview
| Status | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Approved for funding | 660,039 |
| In process of verification | 85,662 |
| Outstanding documents | 21,483 |
| Rejected applications | 116,266 |
| Loan applicants converted to bursaries | 13,052 |
Who qualifies for 2026 NSFAS funding?
- Students from poor and working-class families
- “Missing middle” applicants (those who don’t qualify for full bursaries but need partial aid)
- Returning students who meet academic progression criteria
- First-time university and TVET college students with verified household income
How to check your NSFAS status or fix errors
Common document issues to fix:
- Consent form not signed by parents/guardians
- Incomplete or missing date/email fields
- Declaration form not matching Home Affairs records
- Illegible or unclear scans
Important tip: Submit only clear, complete documents. If your parent has no email, write “N/A” in that field.
Appeals Process
You have 30 days after your rejection outcome to submit an appeal. Ensure all supporting documents are included.
| Appeal Status | Total |
|---|---|
| Approved | 10,445 |
| Awaiting Documents | 3,209 |
| In Process | 27,893 |
| Rejected | 5,407 |
| Finalised/Closed/Withdrawn | 44,983 |
| Total Appeals | 91,937 |
Accommodation Applications (2026)
| Type | Total Applications | Approved | Pending Review | Awaiting Landlord |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universities | 115,662 | 39,127 | 39,984 | 29,027 |
| TVET Colleges | 78,409 | 16,526 | 50,810 | 24,837 |
| Total | 194,071 | 55,653 | 90,794 | 53,864 |
Note: CPUT and some other institutions manage accommodation independently of NSFAS.
Allowances and Payment Dates
NSFAS has already disbursed:
- R3.6 billion to universities (allowances)
- R679 million to TVETs (tuition)
| Disbursement | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First TVET allowance | 13 Feb 2026 | On track |
| Second TVET allowance + housing | 27 Feb 2026 | On track |
| March upfront payment | 2 March 2026 | On track |
What you should do next
If your application is pending:
- Upload missing documents immediately via your NSFAS portal
- Use correct formats and ensure all required fields are filled
If you were rejected:
- Log into your NSFAS portal and start your appeal within 30 days
- Submit a Declaration Form if needed and ensure the Consent Form matches Home Affairs records
If your funding is approved:
- Confirm your registration with your institution
- Follow up on accommodation placement if you applied
