The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) received more than one million applications for its 2027 funding cycle before the application period closed on 31 October 2026. NSFAS confirmed that the deadline would not be extended and urged prospective applicants to submit their applications before the closing date to avoid last-minute challenges and ensure they were received within the stipulated period.
“Applications can be submitted through the official NSFAS website or via the NSFAS mobile application. Applicants who are required to provide supporting documentation must ensure that the relevant documents are uploaded through the official NSFAS application platform,” NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said in a statement.
The scheme warned that missing supporting documents, incomplete information or incorrect details could affect the verification and processing of applications.
NSFAS funding is aimed at financially disadvantaged South African students who wish to pursue higher education at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
To qualify for a bursary, applicants from non-South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) households must have a combined annual household income of R350 000 or less. Students with disabilities qualify under a higher household income threshold of R600 000 or less. Verified SASSA grant recipients automatically meet the financial eligibility requirements, provided they satisfy the relevant academic and institutional requirements. Applicants must also be South African citizens or permanent residents and meet the academic requirements for their chosen qualifications.
NSFAS supports students studying approved qualifications at public universities and public TVET colleges. Public universities offer degree and other approved higher education qualifications, while TVET colleges provide vocational, occupational and technical training programmes aimed at developing practical and workplace skills. However, students attending private higher education institutions and private colleges do not qualify for NSFAS funding.
The funding covers registration and tuition fees, as well as other study-related expenses. Depending on the institution and a student’s circumstances, allowances may include accommodation, transport, learning materials, living expenses and personal care.
University students may qualify for accommodation or transport allowances, while TVET college students can also receive assistance with accommodation, transport and living expenses. Students with disabilities may qualify for additional support, including assistive devices and other approved assistance.
Following the closure of applications, NSFAS will continue with the assessment and verification process to determine which applicants meet the funding requirements. This includes checking personal information, household income and supporting documentation against information from relevant government departments and institutions, including the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and SASSA.
Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications by logging into their myNSFAS accounts through the official website. They are encouraged to regularly check their application status and respond to any requests for outstanding documentation. Application outcomes are released as the assessment process progresses. Applicants who are unsuccessful can also submit an appeal through their myNSFAS accounts within the applicable appeal period, provided they meet the requirements.
As part of efforts to ensure that eligible students had access to financial assistance, the NSFAS Board also participated in the final-push outreach programme in support of the 2027 application period.The campaign aimed to reach prospective students, particularly those in rural communities, townships and underserved areas where access to information, internet connectivity and application assistance may be limited.The outreach efforts included a nationwide application drive, with activities taking place across six provinces between 5 and 24 October 2026. The programme planned 30 outreach events, with an expected reach of more than 17 500 people.The final application drive was also held on Saturday, 31 October, at Thembalethu High School in George, Western Cape, where Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela led an outreach initiative to assist prospective students with their applications.
Learners, parents, guardians and prospective students were given an opportunity to receive assistance with completing applications, resolving application challenges and accessing information about funding opportunities at universities and TVET colleges.
The initiative formed part of government and NSFAS efforts to ensure that no eligible student missed an opportunity to access post-school education and training because of a lack of information or application support.
