The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2026 applications.

Applications commenced on 29th November 2024 for Undergraduates, Postgraduates, and Vocational applicants to study at local and SADC/International recognized institutions with accredited programs.

Kindly note: All applicants are therefore advised to adhere to the terms and conditions for applying for financial assistance as stated in this notice to ensure compliance with set requirements.

1. NSFAF provides financial assistance to eligible students mainly in the form of loans, while grants are available for the (a) top ten performers and (b) two best-performers in Grade 12 per region, per gender, who meet NSFAF funding criteria and as ranked by Directorate of National Examination and Assessment.
2. No student should be considered for NSFAF funding if he/she has already benefited from a programme at the same level of qualification framework.
3. A student may only receive financial assistance from the Fund to study at any two qualification levels (i.e. Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, Honour’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Doctoral Degree). Funding for a third qualification level shall only be permissible if a debtor has settled previous debts. This is necessary to allow the opportunity for other students to benefit from the allocated student funding and also in case of a loan to avoid over-indebting the students.
4. A student who is already a beneficiary but failed/passed a previous academic year but applied for funding the following year to pursue a different programme will not be funded for the new program. NSFAF shall nullify the award upon identifying such a case.
5. An applicant, who fails to submit all required documents before the closing date of the application period, will be rejected.
6. ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THE REQUIREMENTS BELOW FOR FUNDING: UNDERGRADUATE, VOCATIONAL AND POSTGRADUATE 

6.1 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMMES AT LOCAL INSTITUTION

• Applicants should have obtained 25 points in Grade 12, in Five (5) subjects with a minimum of an E symbol in English. English will form part of the five subjects to be counted; or
• Applicants should have obtained a Diploma at NQF Level 6 at an accredited Institution of Higher Learning provided the applicant has a minimum of 22 points in five subjects in Grade 12.
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

6.2 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES AT LOCAL INSTITUTIONS

• Applicants should have obtained 22 points in Grade 12, in Five (5) subjects with a minimum of an F symbol in English. English will form part of the five subjects to be counted.
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

6.3 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE THROUGH MATURE AGE (APPLICABLE FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

• must be 23 years of age and older;
• Has a Grade 10 certificate, with five (5) years minimum working experience; or
• Has a Grade 12 certificate with three (3) years minimum working experience;
• Has the ability to top up should funding be insufficient for the intended course of study;
• Provide proof of admission at mature age level from the institution of higher learning including the mature age entry test results.
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

6.4 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

• Applicants should have obtained 35 points(in grade 12) in five subjects (including English) with an E in English to qualify for funding to study international medicine and engineering.
• For other fields of study, applicants should have obtained 30 points(in grade 12) in five subjects (including English) with an E in English to qualify for funding.
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

7. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TRAINING (VET) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

 7.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENT OR SOE-OWNED VTCS

• Applicant should be admitted at a Public Vocation Training Center
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

7.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATELY OWNED VTCS

• Obtain a minimum of 20 points in Grade 12 in six (6) subjects with a Symbol F in English;
• Obtained admission at an approved VTC in Namibia studying towards minimum NQF Level 1 and Maximum NQF Level 6 qualification;
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

7.3 INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VET TRAINEES

• Must have obtained 25 points in grade 12, in five subjects, with at least symbol F in English;
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000

DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED WHEN APPLYING FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

a) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath, of the Full birth certificate,
b) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath, of a Namibian Identification (ID),
c) Certified copy/copies by the Commissioner of Oath, of School Leaving Certificate(s) [Grade 11/12 or equivalent, (statement of results for applicants who completed in 2023); Grade 10 certificate for mature age entry only
d) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath, of the mother’s ID or Death certificate, or a Declaration made with the Namibian Police made by any remaining parent/guardian;
e) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath, of the father’s ID/ Death certificate, or a Declaration made with the Namibian Police made by any remaining parent/guardian; Certified copy of your payslip or with the company stamp if the applicant is employed or a declaration of unemployment;
f) Parents/guardians’ certified copy of their payslip or with the company stamp or a declaration if they are unemployed.
h) In case the applicant is married, provide the Spouse’s ID and payslip instead of the parents;
i) For applicants through the Mature Age Entry Scheme (Public Institutions Only)

• Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath of proof of mature age admission letter and test results from a Public Institution, (For applicants through mature age)
• Copy of work experience, (applicant applying through Mature Age entry, 3 years for grade 12 certificate holder and 5 years for grade 10 certificate holder);
• Certified copy by the Commissioner of the Oath of evaluation from Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) for all foreign qualifications (including grade 12 certificates).
• Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath of a diploma on NQF level 6 for applicants applying with 22 points in 5 subjects intending to do a bachelor’s degree (local institutions only),

8. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

• Applicants studying towards Priority field of studies (as listed on the NSFAF website)
• Admitted for post-graduate Diploma/ Honours, Masters and PhD programmes or Research-based postgraduate study;
• Applicants already have prior undergraduate qualifications (Bachelor degree level 7, Honours level 8, or Master level 9), or have completed their studies but waiting for the graduation to be officially conferred; (academic records written obtained)
• The applicant must have been admitted or enrolled to study on a full-time, part-time or distance mode at an approved local or international institution of higher education;
• Preference will be given to the students studying at Local Institutions and within SADC.
• Applicants whose own/or spouse’s income is less than N$ 300,000 if employed or married
• Applicants whose parental income is less than N$500,000.
• Contact Recovery@nsfaf.na for debt clearance.

DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED WHEN APPLYING FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: 

a) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath, of the Full birth certificate,
b) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath of a Namibian Identification (ID),
c) Certified copy by the Commissioner of Oath of a Bachelor’s degree at least on NQF level 7, if studying towards an honours degree, or a copy of a master’s degree if studying towards a PhD. If certificates are not issued by the Institution at the time of application, attach academic records, indicating the certificate has been obtained;
d) A copy of the mother’s ID/ Death certificate, certified by the Commissioner of Oath or a Declaration made with the Namibian Police made by any remaining parent/guardian;
e) A copy of the father’s ID/ Death certificate, certified by the Commissioner of Oath or a Declaration made with the Namibian Police by any remaining parent/guardian;
f) In case the applicant is married, provide the Spouse’s ID and payslip instead of the parents;
g) A certified copy of your payslip or with the company stamp (if employed); or a Declaration made with the Namibian Police of unemployment
h) A copy of the evaluation from the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), certified by the Namibian Police, for all foreign qualifications.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY (NSFAF 2026 APPLICATION)

The deadline for applications is 29 February 2025.