As the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)opened its application portal for the 2025 academic year, many hopeful applicants faced frustrations due to system crashes and technical difficulties. With thousands of students eager to secure funding for their higher education, the rise in applications overwhelmed the platform, leading to recurring outages.
NSFAS, South Africa’s key funding body for tertiary education, has become a lifeline for millions of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, this year’s application rollout has been marred by the system’s inability to handle the volume of early applications. Despite these issues, NSFAS officials are urging students to apply as early as possible to avoid the anticipated rush as deadlines approach.
In a statement, NSFAS acknowledged the system’s difficulties and reassured students that measures are being taken to improve functionality.
We are aware of the challenges applicants are facing, and our technical teams are working around the clock to resolve these issues. We encourage students to remain patient and persist in their application attempts, a spokesperson said.
The financial aid scheme also emphasized that early application is critical, as delays could result in missed opportunities for funding. With the system struggling to cope, NSFAS is advising students to submit their applications well before the closing date to ensure a smoother process.
Students who have already encountered issues are encouraged to keep trying during off-peak hours, and NSFAS has bolstered its support helplines to assist those experiencing difficulties.
Despite the technical hurdles, the message is clear: applying early remains the best way to secure a spot in the 2025 intake, as the system will likely face more pressure closer to the deadline.
