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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has started releasing funding eligibility decisions for the 2026 academic year. The update follows the close of the 2026 application cycle and affects first-time entering students across South Africa.
According to NSFAS, funding decisions began rolling out from 15 December 2025. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check their status online and respond quickly to any requests for additional information.
Who applied for NSFAS funding in 2026?
The NSFAS 2026 application window opened on 16 September 2025 and closed on 15 November 2025.
During this period:
- 893,849 applications were received from first-time entering students
- Continuing students were not required to reapply
- Applications include both SASSA and non-SASSA beneficiaries
NSFAS confirmed that assessments are progressing steadily.
Current status of funding assessments
NSFAS has already processed a large portion of applications, with more decisions expected before the end of December.
Funding assessment progress (as of 19 December 2025)
| Category | Applications assessed |
|---|---|
| SASSA beneficiaries | 481,128 |
| Non-SASSA applicants | 49,132 |
| Remaining applications | Still under assessment |
In addition, NSFAS says it aims to finalise all funding eligibility decisions by 31 December 2025.
What applicants need to do now
All applicants should log in to the myNSFAS portal to check their application status.
If you received an SMS or email requesting documents:
- You have 30 days from the notification date to upload outstanding or corrected documents
- Applications that remain incomplete after 30 days will not be processed
- Incomplete submissions will be marked unsuccessful
NSFAS has stressed that timely action is essential to avoid delays or rejection.
Where to get help
The NSFAS Contact Centre will remain open throughout the festive season to assist students with:
- Application status queries
- Document submission issues
- General funding enquiries
Students are advised to use official NSFAS platforms only to avoid scams or misinformation.
